Strategic Enrollment

UTSA seeks to help returning Roadrunners complete their degree

September 26, 2024
UTSA seeks to help returning Roadrunners complete their degree

More than 115 former students have re-enrolled at UTSA for Fall 2024 through the university's partnership with ReUp Education.

The university has partnered with ReUp Education, a leading provider in empowering adult learners through technology and personalized support, to engage UTSA students of the last 15 years who have not enrolled for three or more consecutive terms and have not earned a degree elsewhere.

"We are excited and optimistic about this new initiative to support the educational goals of our former students," said Lynn Barnes Jr., UTSA senior vice provost for strategic enrollment. "We know that life happens and may interrupt educational and professional plans for many individuals. For those who may be interested in returning and completing their degree, ReUp is able to scale their services to provide personalized enrollment support from the point of application all the way to graduation." 

Partnering for Success 

Offering dedicated support to this population of former students is a key strategy in increasing student enrollment in support of the Building a Talent Strong Texas targets, Barnes added. UTSA’s collaboration with ReUp aligns with its ongoing work with UP Partnership, a nonprofit that aims to increase economic mobility for young people in Bexar County through higher education.

"As the university continues to expand its online programs, former students may find they now have more options to complete their UTSA degrees while staying in the workforce," said Barnes. "Our online offerings are designed to provide flexibility and accessibility, making it easier for adult learners to balance their professional and personal commitments while pursuing their academic goals."

As part of this partnership, ReUp will bring its unique blend of technology, data insights, and one-on-one coaching to assist UTSA in engaging and supporting adult learners who have previously paused their education. This initiative is aimed at addressing the various challenges adult learners face, such as time constraints, financial pressures, and the need for a strong support system. To date, more than 115 former students have re-enrolled for Fall 2024 through the program. 

Advancing Economic Mobility Through Education 

As of 2020, 35% of learners were over the age of 25, according to data from National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). However, adult learners still have lower completion rates than their younger peers, often due to a wide range of barriers that include time, poverty, childcare, financial constraints and more. Completing a college degree has profound impacts on social and economic mobility. Those with a degree are half as likely to be unemployed as those with a high school diploma and demonstrate significantly higher lifetime earning potential, happiness, health, and community involvement.  

Since 2015, ReUp Education has been dedicated to helping higher education institutions re-engage and support adult learners. Utilizing patented technology and personalized coaching, ReUp has successfully aided numerous institutions in fostering environments conducive to adult learner success. Through this partnership, UTSA aims to provide tailored holistic support, addressing key factors that influence re-enrollment and degree completion for adult learners. 

"As a former adult learner, I know only too well the challenges that face other adult learners as they pursue a degree. Time, money, and a support system are all crucial elements of a learner’s journey through higher ed, yet for too many of these degree-seekers, these factors are massive barriers to completion," said Terah Crews, CEO of ReUp. "Through our new partnership with UTSA, we are helping expand the support and resources available for adult learners, in turn helping to make the rollercoaster ride of higher education just a little less turbulent."

In addition to providing direct support to learners, ReUp will offer UTSA institution-specific insights and strategic recommendations informed by industry trends and data on adult learners. This collaboration aims to enhance UTSA’s strategies in supporting adult learners and ensuring their successful completion of degree programs.  

EXPLORE FURTHER 

- Rebecca Luther, Academic Strategic Communications