the role of student affairs and services in higher education

• Providing information about the institution to prospective students, their
parents, and their secondary school teachers/counselors.
• Visiting secondary/high schools and community colleges, and other sources of
potential students.
• Sponsoring and attending workshops and recruitment fairs.
• Developing and distributing promotional literature on the institution.
• Coordinating tours of the campus for institutional guests.
• Recruiting underrepresented groups including low-income and targeted ethnic
groups, and other under-served students.
Adult/Non-Traditional Student Services
Purpose/functions –
• To conduct research on the needs and characteristics of adult students.
• To provide basic services for adult students.
• To counsel and advise adult students regarding their personal concerns and
academic needs.
• To offer special means of communication through newsletters, a webpage,
telephones, fax, and e-mail.
• To arrange social and cultural activities for adult students and their
families/partners.
• To develop a plethora of flexible learning options that take notice of individual
learning styles of those regarded as non-traditional students.
• To identify and advise academic and administrative staff of matters that can
adversely affect non-traditional students' welfare and capacity to succeed in
higher education.
• To develop social networks that nurture/support non-traditional students .
• To provide places for adult students to socialize and study.
• To provide preparatory and orientation programs (including orienting family
groups) for adult students.
Typical Activities –
• Advising and counseling adult students individually and in groups.
• Advocating for adult students in policy-making and design of facilities as well
as the instructional program.
• Working with adult students to become involved in institutional activities.
• Arranging social activities for adult students.
• Working with faculty to understand the different approaches that may be
necessary when teaching adult students.
• Conducting research into the underrepresented groups and, once identified,
develop a range of proactive strategies which are welcoming, preparatory and
assist in promoting success.
• Promoting the advantages of education in the community.
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