More than 2,400 of MTSU’s undergraduate students are 25 or older. Expanding service to adult students represents one of the most significant opportunities to offset anticipated declines in the number of traditional-age college students.
A group of 19 colleagues representing constituencies from across campus continues its work with a focus on three specific areas relating to adult students: recruitment, retention, and institutional processes. An initial report has been produced with recommendations. Details are being fleshed out to increase the enrollment of adult students throughout the University.
The launch of a new Adult Degree Completion Program communication plan, geared specifically to prospective adult students, has shown significant success. The number of inquiries more than doubled during the last semester. An adult student version of the New to Blue new student orientation has been developed targeting MTSU services for adult learners. We are excited about this opportunity to connect with students and provide them with vital resources focused specifically on information and questions that adult learners often have when returning to school.
The Spring 2025 semester marked considerable progress in both enrollment and graduation among employees from MTSU’s corporate partner programs, with enrollment up 33% from Spring 2024. Graduation numbers also climbed. Thirty-two corporate partner employees earned a degree from MTSU in 2024, and in Spring 2025 alone, 28 more graduates completed bachelor’s or master’s degrees. Summer 2025 enrollment reached 48 students—more than double the 18 enrolled in Summer 2024. This is a powerful pathway for working adults to earn degrees and advance their careers.
A key highlight is the Nissan North America-MTSU education partnership, which is approaching a major milestone: the completion of its first full year of the on-site Applied Leadership cohort at the Nissan Smyrna Training Center. We look forward to celebrating the program’s first graduate in December. Since the partnership launched a year ago, 31 Nissan employees have enrolled at MTSU to pursue undergraduate or graduate degrees.
A major aspect of our successful adult learner programming is MTSU’s Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) program, which has set a benchmark for other institutions by supporting adult learners in documenting and earning college credits for their nontraditional learning experiences. Over its 17-year history, the MTSU program has seen 1,326 students complete the assessment process, with 28,177 PLA credits awarded, an average of more than 21 credits earned per student. The program has extended to MTSU graduate programs as well. Fifty-two portfolios have been submitted and 294 graduate credits awarded.
Lastly, the GraduateMT program continues to transform lives through its unwavering commitment to supporting adult learners. Through this program, more than 5,100 students have returned to pursue their education, and 1,500 have graduated since the program’s inception in 2018. By guiding returning students through the readmission process, removing barriers, and offering personalized degree plans, GraduateMT makes graduation a reality for many who once thought attaining a college degree was out of reach.
