The Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research is pleased to announce the release of the Adult Learner Guidebook, Third Edition. This latest edition reflects the continued growth and impact of the NC Reconnect program, which was created by the John M. Belk Endowment, in partnership with the North Carolina Community College System, myFutureNC and five pilot colleges, to support adult learners in re-enrolling at community colleges across North Carolina.

Designed as both a resource and a call to action, the third edition includes critical questions and space for reflection to support meaningful dialogue among community college presidents, faculty, staff and administrators. It encourages institutions to engage in practical conversations about how to better serve adult learners in ways that are responsive to their goals, experiences and unique needs.

Since launching in 2021, NC Reconnect has expanded from five pilot campuses to 29 community colleges across the state. Through targeted, personalized outreach, the program has consistently achieved re-enrollment rates of at least 20% – significantly higher than the 2.7% of adults nationwide who return to college without targeted outreach.

Key Highlights of the Third Edition:

• Adult Learner Perspectives: The guidebook features the stories of real adult learners across North Carolina, illustrating the challenges many students face and the life-changing impact of returning to the classroom.
• The Postsecondary Planning Survey: New research involving feedback from more than 350 prospective students show that relational barriers – including time away from family – are often more significant than traditional obstacles like transportation or housing.
• Workforce and Economic Mobility: Adult learners are increasingly pursuing short-term credentials to meet immediate career goals.The guidebook highlights how colleges are adapting programs – especially with the introduction of Workforce Pell – to better support adult learners and workforce needs.
• An Updated Five P Framework: The guidebook provides updated strategies for the Five Ps – Public Messaging, Partnerships, Processes, Pathways and Proximity – featuring concrete examples drawn from work happening across the 24 cohort colleges.

About the Belk Center

As a trusted resource for North Carolina’s community college leaders, the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research delivers actionable research and tailored leadership programming to advance college and student success. We support leaders at every stage of their careers, equipping them with timely insights and practical tools focused on improving the experiences and outcomes of their students. Our efforts are North Carolina-focused and nationally informed.

The Belk Center was launched in 2019 as a research center within the College of Education at NC State, a land-grant university that shares our commitment to community colleges and the critical role these institutions play in creating and expanding opportunities for all North Carolinians.

Our work is made possible by the generous investments of philanthropic partners including the John M. Belk Endowment, Arnold Ventures, Ascendium Education Group, the Institute of Education Sciences and the William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust.