11th

Annual ANTSHE 2008 Conference

Page 6

“Choosing to Thrive,

No Matter What!”

December 2007

Volume 1, Issue 6 The Nontrad Journal

February 29 – March 2, 2008

Middle Tennessee State University

December 2007

Volume 1, Issue 6

Association of Non-traditional Students in Higher Education

It has been a busy year for ANTSHE as we continue to grow and provide support for our members across the country.

Your Board of Directors has been hard at work on your behalf developing programs, providing support for member organizations to help develop programs of on campus support, and in general remains busy keeping the ANTSHE wheels turning!

As we begin 2008 our focus shifts to our 11th annual conference. As you know this year’s conference will be

From President Jeff Bunnell

11th Annual ANTSHE Conference Plans in full swing!

The 11th Annual ANTSHE conference plans are set and you can register

online at the ANTSHE website at www.antshe.org/2008conference.htm

Go to the ANTSHE Conference page for complete conference details and

a schedule for the weekend. On page 7 and 8 you will find more detailed

information about this year’s conference.

I look forward to seeing everyone in Tennessee!

hosted by Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro Tennessee. Dr. Carol Ann Baily’s group, Older Wiser Learners (OWLS) are planning a great conference that you don’t want to miss. Check it out by going to the ANTSHE website and clicking on the conference link. I hope to see you there!

On behalf of the entire Board of Directors I would like to wish you a safe and happy holiday!

The Nontrad Journal

Wishing everyone a healthy and prosperous 2008!

IN THIS

ISSUE:

From the President

Pursuing a Dream

Holiday Fun

Conference Corner

Check out our ANTSHE online store:

ANTSHE.ORG

http://www.antshe.org/store_1.htm

NonTrad Journal

“Raab struggled to

balance work, family

and college, feeling

she “had no one to

talk to”

Non-traditional Student Pursues a Dream Deferred

Page 2 of 9

Sandra Raab waited until her youngest daughter was nearly grown to pursue what had always been her dream. Even though she was “scared to death,” she swallowed her fear and took her place in a university classroom alongside fellow students young enough to be her own children. “When I first started at DSU in the spring of 2003 I was terrified, but it was always a dream of mine to earn a college degree and work in a bank,” explained nontraditional student Sandra Raab. “I enjoy finances.” Nontraditional students are adult learners over the age of 25. They are the fastest growing segment of the college student population nationwide. At DSU, nontraditional students, along with international students, are fueling the ongoing enrollment growth at the university. Currently, nontraditional students make up 27 percent of the student body, up 5.5 percent in the last year. Like many nontraditional students, Raab struggled with the sense of isolation created by the age difference between herself and her classmates, even to the point of hesitating to speak out in class, afraid that the younger students would find her questions “silly” or “stupid”. “I felt like everyone else was a little teeny-bopper, but all those teeny-boppers seemed to know more than I did,” Raab said. She had taken a long path to DSU’s doors. A high school dropout, Raab married young and had children. Even after she was diagnosed with cancer in 1989, she held onto her dream of continuing her education. After successful surgery and treatment for the cancer, she earned her GED, or high school equivalency, in 1992. Then a single mother, she worked full-time, took care of her girls, and postponed her dream of someday going on to college. When her youngest child was a senior in high school, she turned that dream into a goal. Raab struggled to balance work, family and college, feeling she “had no one to talk to” until Sandy Klein, director of financial aid, introduced her to Students Other Than Average (SOTA), a student organization for nontraditional students and their families. “I liked the group. SOTA involves your family and I enjoyed having my family with me,” Raab said. “Now I see more and more people my age in classes,” Raab said. “I feel much more comfortable.”

NonTrad Journal

Page 3 of 9

She joined SOTA in the fall of 2003 and since then has been actively involved, serving in every group office from secretary to president. Through the organization, she met and got to know other nontraditional students. Sharing the challenges that face adult learners decreased her sense of isolation and offered her a sense of community on campus. She also became affiliated with the Association for Nontraditional Students in Higher Education (ANTSHE), a national group devoted to supporting adult learners. Although she has received many scholarships and awards since she began her belated college career, the most recent is the ANTSHE Presidential Certificate of Appreciation she received this fall for her outstanding work as membership officer for that organization. “The best thing about my experience as a college student is being recognized when you least expect it, like when I was asked to serve on the board of directors for a national organization. I have met so many people and built so many relationships,” she said. Raab is one of 731 nontraditional students enrolled at DSU. When

… Dream Deferred Continued from 2…

“I felt my horizons

broaden and my

confidence has grown

greatly!”

she started as an incoming freshman, there were only 513. Raab finds the increase in numbers comforting. She is also comfortable with letting go of one dream to pursue another. When she enrolled at DSU, she soon found that the courses she was taking revealed interests she didn’t know she had. “I set out to study accounting, but as I began my studies, I realized there were other things I enjoy more. I switched from accounting to university studies because my interests expanded. I found I love working with graphic design and other creative computer applications,” Raab said. “I felt my horizons broaden. My confidence has grown – greatly.”

: Shanna L Schoch News Bureau / Public Relations Manager Dickinson State University.

NonTrad Journal

Page 4 of 9

Holiday Fun

My name is Martin Moore and I am proud

to be apart of this great organization. I

just graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in

Political Science from Saint Martin’s

University, located in Lacey, Washington.

I have now known ANTSHE for 4 years.

I have known that Non-traditional

students are the fastest growing

population in Admissions through

Universities through out the United

States. I am also aware that our

Government is doing more and more to

support our Non-traditional students.

I would like to share with you what ideas

I am looking towards. First, I look forward

in putting all of my knowledge of Non-

traditional facts as Communications

Officer for ANTSHE.

Need Communications

support?

What can I do for you

today?

Feel free to contact me

if you have any

questions or would like

communications

support for your

member organization

I would like to mainstream our website

and finalize our official ANTSHE Logo.

My tasks will grow along with my ideas. I

ask for your help. Please share your

ideas with me and feel free to send me

e-mail communications@antshe.org. I

look forward to working together in

accomplishing a lot.

ANTSHE Appoints New Communication Officer

NonTrad Journal

Page 5 of 9

From the Financial Officer

Betty Mixon-Mayo Financial Officer

11th Annual ANTSHE Conference February 29 – March 2, 2008

NonTrad Journal Page 6 of 9

Our Keynote Speaker for this year’s conference is Dr. Cara DiMarco. Dr. Cara DiMarco, a licensed psychologist in private practice and lead faculty in the 20 year old Transitions for Success program at Lane Community College in Oregon, will present the keynote address for the 11th Annual ANTSHE 2008 Conference

Dr. DiMarco is the author of two published books: Moving Through Life Transitions with Power and

Keynote Address by Dr. Cara DiMarco

Purpose; and Career and Life Planning: A Journey of Survival and Growth. Her third book, Inconvenient Women: Choosing to Thrive No Matter What, is due out in mid 2008.

2008

Conference

Corner

“Choosing to Thrive,

No Matter What!”

The 2008 National Conference of the Association of Non-Traditional Students in Higher Education

This year’s Conference will be held at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro TN, just 30 miles southeast of Nashville. MTSU is proud to host our national conference. So that you can plan to attend, we want to make the information available to you in this message. The Conference will take place Feb. 29, Mar. 1 and 2, 2008 at the DoubleTree Hotel and the MTSU campus in Murfreesboro, TN. On Friday evening, there will be a brief overview of the conference and the keynote address by Cara DiMarco on the conference theme, Choosing to Thrive, No Matter What! A reception will follow the keynote at the hotel. cont. on pg 7…

Dr. Cara

DiMarco Keynote Speaker

11th Annual ANTSHE Conference

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Dr. Carol

Ann Baily

Director of

Adult

student

Services

Founder of

Antshe

2008

Conference

Host

Nontrad Journal Page 7 of 9

11th Annual Conference cont...

Dr. Cara DiMarco of Lane Community College in Oregon will present the keynote address for this conference. Cara DiMarco will further her remarks at a plenary session on Saturday morning. She will introduce her “Big Yes” model that can allow all of us to thrive personally and professionally regardless of what life presents to us. We will look at the multitude of opportunities we have to contribute to the thriving of others and ourselves. A variety of breakout sessions on this theme of Choosing to Thrive, No Matter What! that is designed for nontraditional students or for professionals and faculty who work with these adult students will continue throughout the day on Saturday. The conference includes lunch that day. For Saturday evening we are planning for smaller groups to go to choice local restaurants for dinner at a variety of price ranges and other entertainment options. The conference will conclude at approximately at 11:00am on Sunday following the ANTSHE business meeting, seating of new officers, and presentation awards and recognition of volunteers. We look forward to seeing everyone @ MTSU!

“”Inconvenient Woman:

Choosing to Thrive Not

Matter What” by Dr.

Cara DiMarco

Conference concludes

on Sunday with a

hosted Brunch at the

DoubleTree Inn

Register today @ 2008 ANTSHE Conference Website www.antshe.org/2008conference

Feb 29 – March 2

If you are a member of ANTSHE and your mailing and contact information

has changed be sure to update your membership via our website. Simply

use the “update membership’ tab on the main page. It is important for us

to keep this information current so you will be sure to receive updates

and information from ANTSHE. Membership cards will be issued to those

members who need them at the annual conferences. If you have any

membership questions you can email me directly at

membershipofficer@antshe.org

Membership Officer Sandra Raab

Elections Chair is Martin Moore

It’s that time of the year again! ANTSHE will hold its election for 2008. For

up to date information on the “Rock the Vote ANTSHE 2008,” Please go to

our website, www.antshe.org/rockthevote

www.antshe.org/rockthevote

ANTSHE Elections 2008

Membership Updates

ANTSHE is an

international

partnership of students,

academic professionals,

institutions, and

organizations whose

mission is to encourage

and coordinate support,

education, and

Association for Non-Traditional Students

in Higher Education

Association of

Non-traditional

Students in Higher

Education

-360.539.4761

Toll Free

866.747.9895

-866.887.9940

E-MAIL: communications@antshe.org

We’re on the Web! See us at:

www.antshe.org

advocacy for the adult

learner.

Scholarship Information and how to apply Each year ANTSHE Awards several scholarships for Nontraditional Students. Any nontraditional student can apply. The application is available on our website where you will also find information for each scholarship awarded. Enrollment and Grade Point Average Requirements An applicant for the undergraduate scholarship must:

• Be enrolled in a degree or certificate program • Registered at the time of scholarship award for a minimum of 6 credit

hours • Have completed a minimum of 15 credit hours at an accredited two-

year or 30 credit hours at an accredited four-year institution. • Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 calculated based

upon the last 15 credit hours for a junior college or 30 credit hours for a four year institution.

An applicant for the graduate scholarship must:

• Have completed a Bachelor’s degree • Either be accepted into an accredited graduate program at the time of

application (copy of acceptance letter must be attached to application) or be enrolled in an accredited graduate program for a minimum of 6 credit hours

• Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50. • Must submit official transcripts verifying proof of degree awarded and

current official graduate transcripts forwarded by the institution to the ANTSHE Scholarship Officer.

If you have any questions about our scholarships please contact Vice President Donna Minkley at vicepresident@antshe.org