The Center for Higher Education Retention Excellence (CHERE) is sponsoring a two-day conference, Can Non-Traditional Students Save Higher Education, and Vice Versa?, to explore issues related to non-traditional students including underrepresented, and first generation traditional age students and adult learners who have never been to college.  The event will be held on Friday, November 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, November 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain.

This two-day conference will look at promising and best practices on both sides of the higher education continuum, access (“getting in”) and success (retaining to graduation and employment), through the eyes of public and private school educators, community-based organizations, and students themselves.

The conference is sponsored by CHERE in partnership with the Hartford Consortium for Higher Education, the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education, Central Connecticut State University, and the National Resource Center for First Year Experience and Students in Transition at the University of South Carolina.

The keynote speakers from the University of Texas – Austin will outline the innovative, evidence-based approach that was featured in the New York Times Magazine in 2014, which concluded:

“Most middle- and low-income students struggle to complete a degree…but a big part of the solution lies at schools like the University of Texas at Austin, selective but not super-elite, that are able to take large numbers of highly motivated working-class students and give them the tools they need to become successful professionals.  The U.T. experiment reminds us that the process isn’t easy; it never has been.   But it also reminds us that it is possible.”

While the conference invitation asks for workshop proposal submissions, it is expected that the topics covered will include themes like bridge programs, college readiness, quality access work, seamless counseling, retention/persistence, first-generation students, career and technical education, adult learners, escalating costs, adult learners, public policy issues, and more.

The conference plenary session will include an expert panel that will include the Provost of CCSU, two institution presidents (from a Connecticut Community College and a private university), a senior elected official from the state legislature and a representative of the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education.

Register NOW and save!  Friday, Nov. 13 (9:00-4;00) and Saturday, Nov. 14, (9:00 – 1:00).
REGISTRATION FORM

Among the key questions of the day: How do we change that perception in an era of rapidly increasing costs of higher education?  How do we make sure that those who advise high school students — parents, counselors, teachers, community agency staff — understand the quality of career and technical education programs and see them as viable choices?

FEES

Conference Fee: $195

Discounted Fees for early registration/multiple registrations from same institution:

PRIOR TO SEPT. 151st registration: $175   2nd registration: $150   additional: $150

AFTER SEPT. 151st registration: $195   2nd registration: $175   additional: $150

Scholarships: Funding may be available for a limited number of scholarships, pending individual financial circumstances

Call Ruby Blackmon at 860.558.8528.  Calls will be returned promptly.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT WORKSHOP PROPOSALS:  September 30