A Program for Counseling and Campus Support Services for African American and Latino Adult Learners

Abstract

This study describes counseling and support services for African American and Latino adult leorners that reduce barriers to graduation. Procedures adapted traditional counseling by (a) using faculty counselors and (b) including gender-, culture-, and adult-based perspectives in individual and group counseling and peer support. Support relevant to the learners' needs is effective in retaining adult learners, thereby making higher education accessible to a student body inclusive of adult learners.

Career Support Group for Latino/a College Students

“…Put differently, given Latino/a students' career aspirations and drive to successfully join the professional workforce, the umbrella of career counseling may represent a culturally sensitive way to improve Latino/a students' help seeking behavior and thereby address these students' general adjustment, coping, and developmental needs as well as their career concerns. Different culturally and linguistically sensitive programs have included career as a component in their approach to promote the pursuit of higher education among Latino/a youth (Rivera-Mosquera, Phillips, Castelino, Martin, & Mowry Dobran, 2007), to address the academic and social needs of Latino/a students in community colleges (Santovec, 2006), and to reduce college graduation barriers among Latino/as and African American adult learners (Gary, Kling, & Dodd, 2004). Dayton, Gonzalez-Vasquez, Martinez, and Plum (2004) emphasized the importance of building and maintaining resilient communities for Latino/a students in higher education institutions.…”

Conflict Resolution Strategies Adopted From Parenting Coordination: Assisting High‐Conflict Coparenting Students

“…There seems to be a gap in the existing literature regarding the current conflict resolution options available in college counseling centers for divorcing college students as well as for students experiencing high‐conflict relationship dissolution involving children. In general, the types of counseling options available to students in campus mental health centers include individual counseling (typically brief or solution focused, with referral to outside sources for long‐term therapy) and group counseling (Gary, Kling, & Dodd, 2004). Aside from the general individual and group counseling usually provided for students through campus mental health and counseling centers, information is sparse regarding conflict resolution programs aimed at assisting coparents.…”

Women of African Descent: Persistence in Completing A Doctorate

“…According to Gary, Kling, and Dodd (2004), unsuccessful resolution of these multiple stressors may lead to premature withdrawal from school and may inadvertently become unnecessary barriers in persistence to graduation. The National Center for Educational Statistics (2008), determined that at least 16% of nontraditional graduate students leave their studies due to dissatisfaction with their programs, and another 17% leave due to conflicts with their jobs, and 14% leave because of their need to work and earn an income.…”