PSEO/Non-Traditional Students-Enterprise Story

On today’s campus of Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC) it is not unusual for students to find themselves seated in class with a 50-year-old on their left and a 17-year-old on their right.

There are currently three types of students attending ARCC as well as many other community colleges across the country. The first is the “traditional” student defined by two-year colleges as students under the age of 25. The second is the “non-traditional” student defined as anyone age 25 or older. A final classification of non-traditional student is the Post-Secondary Enrollment Option (PSEO) students who are usually ages 16-18. They are simultaneously attending a two-year college while continuing to meet their high school requirements.

The traditional undergraduate students of today share the college campus with both PSEO and non-traditional students who either haven’t yet graduated from high school or may even be parents of school-aged children themselves. Kate Vaccari from the ARCC institutional research office reported that, in the fall of 2009, 68% of the student body is made up of traditional students and 32% are non-traditional.

Nearly 10% of the total college headcount at ARCC are PSEO students. In a recent survey of all three types of students at ARCC as well as staff members, a variety of opinions were expressed regarding the mixed group of students on campus and in the classrooms.
Jaime Boretski, an advisor at the Cambridge Campus of ARCC, said, “Having students of various age groups adds to the diversity of our campuses and speaks to what a community college is all about. It also gives students the opportunity to learn from one another’s experiences.”

Hannah Serbus, 17, a full-time PSEO student at ARCC, said she feels blessed to have the chance to be part of the PSEO program and thinks the diversity of the students adds to the positive learning environment on campus. Serbus said she enjoys having non-traditional people in her classes and also stated that, “It is fun to have older ladies and guys around while still having the young environment as well.”

Sarah deRosier is currently a traditional, part-time student at ARCC and stated, “Everyone deserves a good education, whether you are starting early or late.” DeRosier said she is happy for the non-traditional students and encourages those who are either pursuing their college educations early or attempting to further their college education at an older age. DeRoiser said, “PSEO students are getting a glimpse of what college is like and it really will prepare them for when they get into their studies.”

True Grimes, 56, is a part-time student at ARCC and has returned to further her education after a 21-22 year absence from the education system. Concerning the different types of students, Grimes said, “I think it’s a good thing because diversity in the classroom really adds to each class, whether that diversity relates to age, religion, heritage, etc.”

Grimes said that her fellow students have always been very nice and welcoming towards her even though she is an older non-traditional student. “I usually do feel comfortable, especially after a couple days when the students realize that I’m not the instructor!” joked Grimes.

The interviews conducted show that, although students at ARCC are fully aware of the diversity in their classrooms, most of the students find it to be more of a positive aspect instead of a negative one. Many of the traditional students even expressed their regrets of not being a part of the PSEO program when they were younger.

Amber Hanson, 18, is a full-time traditional student at ARCC and said concerning the PSEO program, “It’s a good thing for students to be able to earn college credits earlier; if I could go back and do it again I would start the PSEO program.”
Traditional student, Carissa Parker, 20, described her excitement about the PSEO program, “I loved it while I was in it, I just wish I would have done it my junior year too.”

Kevin Alger, 39, is a non-traditional student at ARCC and said in reference to the PSEO program, “I feel it is the best use of tax dollars to challenge our younger generation educationally.”

Not only did the students interviewed believe that PSEO students should be welcomed and that the PSEO program is a positive experience, many also expressed their admiration for the non-traditional students who have returned to college to further their educations.

PSEO student Cory Lundeen expressed that he thought having older, non-traditional students in the classroom is a positive thing and that they have a right to be there. “I think that it is great because I feel everyone should have the opportunity to go to college to further their education no matter their age,” said Lundeen in response to non-traditional students attending ARCC.

Traditional student Carissa Parker described the difference she encounters in the classroom with non-traditional students from older generations. Parker believes that, “they tend to think that just because we’re young, we’re dumber. People around my parents’ age are always correcting me.”

True Grimes, a non-traditional student who is also a parent of four college-aged children, admits that sometimes, “I have to work hard not to talk too much, as non-traditional students can do.”

The reality is that college classrooms in the 21st century are populated with a growing diversity of ages and different life experiences. As ARCC instructor Melissa Bergstrom pointed out, this variation “always allows for a wider perspective that enriches all of us participating.”