This book examines themes from adult students in higher education: dispositional characteristics, situational barriers to academic success, and how institutional policy and procedures create obstacles for these non-traditional learners. While much has been written in the peer-reviewed literature about adult students, a commonly missing perspective is that of the students. In this book, adult learners write about their own conditions and contexts, bringing to light the gaps in institutional support for this growing community.

The rich narratives, case studies, and comprehensive reviews within chapters highlight the unique implications faced by this student population, and provide first-hand accounts on which institutions can acknowledge, value, and facilitate change for an evolved, equitable, and elevated educational experience.

Contributors are: Lucas Allen, Sandra Becker, Keith Burn, Adele Chadwick, Kathleen Clarke, Daniel Cleminson, Geremy Collom, Amy De Jaeger, Natalie Dewing, Lori Doan, Eli Duykers, Susan E. Elliott-Johns, Angelina Evans, Melanie Extance, Margaret Greenfields, Leahann Hendrickse, Troy Hill, Sophie Karanicolas, Rahul Kumar, Cobi Ladner, Beth Loveys, Dorothy Missingham, Barbara A.Nicolls, Katia Olsen, Sarah O'Shea, Julie Podrebarac, Carmen Rodríguez de France, Rebecca Rochon, Selina Sharma, Nicola Simmons, Matthew Slater, Sherrie Smith, Cathy Snelling, Cathy Stone, Ashleigh Taylor, Preeti Vayada, Monica Wice and Sinead Wright.