UA Names Conley Director of Adult Focus

Akron, Ohio, July 14, 2008 — Laura Conley has been named director of The University of Akron Adult Focus program. In this role, she will be responsible for programs and initiatives designed to attract and retain adult students at UA.

Conley has served as interim director of Adult Focus since August 2007. Before that, she was an academic adviser for 11 years in UA's University College, where she worked closely with students interested in nursing careers. At the same time, she served as the coordinator of training and as chair of the Internal Operations Committee of the Academic Advisement Center, both in University College. She has been a lecturer at UA since 1979.

The new director will work closely with UA's Office of Admissions and individual academic units to make it easier for adult students to attend and succeed at UA.

“The University of Akron is committed to offering lifelong learning opportunities for adults,” says Dr. Elizabeth Stroble, senior vice president and provost and chief operating officer. “Laura has shown an in-depth understanding of the adult market and the needs of that important student population, and she will be effective in working with other campus constituencies to build on a traditional strength of this institution at a time of heightened focus on meeting adult learners' needs.”

UA's Adult Focus program strives to help both adult and nontraditional students adjust to the college environment. Its staff often serves as advocates for these students, and it assists them with such issues as pre-admission counseling, academic advising and balancing school work with other life demands. Adult students at UA are considered to be those who are age 25 or older. Many of them attend part time in the evening.

Conley earned a master's degree in technical education and a bachelor's degree in political science from The University of Akron.

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