Overcoming barriers – NC Reconnect works to increase adult learner population at SCC

NC Reconnect, a statewide initiative, set out on a mission to increase the adult learner population at community colleges across North Carolina. Southeastern Community College, part of NC Reconnect’s fifth cohort, is targeting students ages 25 to 44. Because of outreach efforts and support resources available through NC Reconnect, SCC has seen an increase in adult learners this year.

The John M. Belk Endowment, in partnership with myFutureNC, the Belk Center for Community College Leadership, the North Carolina Community College System and several other state and local partners, have teamed up to focus on reconnecting adult learners with higher education.

Jessica McDowell, Adult Learner and Customer Relationship Management Coordinator, said that since taking on this new role back in July this year, she has built good relationships with SCC’s adult learner population. Through emails, phone calls, in-person meet-ups and text messages, McDowell has kept in touch with adult learners to track their progress, keep them on track for completion, and provide moral support in their educational journey.

“A lot of adult learners already have families and jobs, and sometimes life just gets in the way of them finishing school,” McDowell said. “Many of the students I keep in touch with are doing well in their classes, and some of them are not so much when they have to take care of sick family members. I try to keep them motivated and not quit.”

Creating a support system for students, McDowell has been “that shoulder to cry on” and “that person to talk to” when times get tough for students. McDowell said that many students do not have a support system or someone keeping them on track at home. McDowell keeps track of communication between students and instructors, students and financial aid and students and advisors to make sure processes are running smoothly.

“Without NC Reconnect, I wouldn’t be helping and encouraging the students I’m working with now,” McDowell said. “Overall, I’d say NC Reconnect has been successful in increasing our adult learner enrollment.”

Throughout the course of the fall 2025 semester, SCC President Dr. Chris English, SCC Executive Vice President Dr. Brandon Jenkins, SCC Vice President of Administrative Services Ibreta Jackson and Associate Vice President of Education and Training Angie Ransom have met with adult learners to congratulate them for returning to college. In addition to checking up on them, they gave out Walmart gift cards as an extra incentive to stay in school. Whether it is to help with groceries or whatever is needed, these gift cards were sponsored by NC Reconnect.

“When those gift cards were given out, some students were brought to tears in appreciation,” McDowell said. “I guess they felt seen and appreciated, and I really liked having instructors reach out to me when they saw a student’s need for support. Sometimes, I don’t see that from my office and what’s listed on the CRM records.”

Overcoming Barriers

With each student having a unique life journey, McDowell listed several reasons why adult learners came backto college. The top reasons were degree completion, career change or re-obtaining a lost job. McDowell explained that, for example, nurse aide students want to take their career to the next level by becoming a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse. Some preschool teachers want to become fully licensed elementary school teachers, and some students want to obtain technical credentials.

McDowell’s favorite part of her job is earning the trust of adult learners and letting them share their life struggles with her. She has learned that with everything in life, nothing will be perfect. She said she better understands how life gets in the way, but she is working each day to figure out how students can overcome barriers to education.

Transportation was the biggest barrier for most students who cannot complete their classes, McDowell said. Vehicle malfunction, costly repairs, and gas cost are the top transportation issues that adult learners face when attending in-person classes. McDowell said that for online classes, internet and computer access was a barrier for some students. She emphasized that SCC has free computer labs on campus, especially in the Williamson Library where students can bring their children with them.

“I also wrote a mini grant for $500 from the foundationthat I use to purchase bus vouchers and help pay for students’ transcripts,” McDowell said.

McDowell explained that the transcript cost barrier was first mentioned by Jonathan Christian-Hodges, SCC Student Advisor. He said many students would mention that they did not have the money to pay for their transcripts to be sent to SCC.

“I’ve heard other students say that childcare is a barrier for them because they don’t have anywhere to put their kids while they’re in class,” McDowell said. “I’ve had other students say that their free time available for studying and homework is another barrier.”

McDowell suggested that students who are on tight budgets and free time should enroll in short-term classes. With the one college model, credentials are stackable and can be completed at a student’s own pace. When students withdraw from classes, they run the risk of affecting their financial aid qualifications. McDowell said that short-term classes help ease the stress of taking a full course load each semester.

Student Success

John Hendren, a 41-year-old with two children, said that he came back to college with the goal of owning his own automotive shop. He is obtaining his associates degree in automotive systems technology, and he plans to work for a dealership soon after graduation to get work experience. Hendren qualified for the Next NC Scholarship, a federally funded program designed to assist household incomes of $80,000 or less, and did not have to pay anything out of pocket for his education.

Shakeyla George, an electrical engineering student, came back to college after taking a break from her classes. With her credits stacked up from previous years, she realized she only had three more classes to take. After graduation, she wants to work at Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation.

Felicia Brown, an Evergreen native, said that she has not taken classes at SCC since 1996. She returned to SCC in 2025 with goals of upskilling to become a licensed practical nurse and stay with her current employer.

“Felicia was already enrolled in courses before I was promoted into this role,” McDowell said. “I first connected with her while identifying NC Reconnect students who were succeeding in fully online classes.”

McDowell was impressed with Brown’s success in her two online classes and wanted to highlight her experience in coming back to college. McDowell said she completed those online courses with an A and a B.

Are you wanting to become SCC’s next adult learner success story? Contact Jessica McDowell at 910-788-6371 or [email protected] for more information about NC Reconnect resources or call 910-788-6247 to learn more about registration options. Get more information by clicking here!