Rutgers University is generating an increasing interest among mature students: "It's notably trendy."
In New Jersey, the pursuit of education knows no age limit, as demonstrated by 71-year-old James Evans. Expelled from high school at 18 for truancy, Evans eventually obtained his GED and, spurred by unemployment and a thirst for knowledge, enrolled at Essex County College. He subsequently graduated with an associate's degree from Rutgers University-Newark and is now working towards a bachelor of arts degree in Africana Studies.
Evans, an active member of the New Hope Baptist Church in East Orange for over 25 years, uses his academic endeavors to share insights on Black history and culture during services. His passion for Africana studies led him to major in the subject at Rutgers. Despite the challenges of lectures, homework, and keeping up with younger peers, Evans views the experience as invigorating and says it keeps his mind sharp.
Rutgers University serves 1,200 students annually through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, a non-credit academic program. Additional 400 students audit various classes, and the number of older students enrolled in for-credit courses is not currently tracked. With the U.S. Census Bureau projecting that adults 65 and older will outnumber the country's population of children 18 and under in 2034, the demand for stimulating learning opportunities among older adults is expected to rise.
In an interview, Evans encouraged older individuals considering higher education to seize the opportunity—regardless of age. He speaks highly of his classmates at Rutgers, many of whom seek his advice and respect his wisdom. Dr. Wendell Marsh, who teaches introduction to Africana studies, describes Evans as a "delight" to have in class, noting the added value he brings with his wealth of information, experience, and insight.
As more adults turn to education as a path to personal growth and engagement, the ongoing need for adaptable, age-inclusive learning environments becomes increasingly prominent.
- Evans, driven by a lifelong thirst for knowledge, advocates for older individuals to pursue higher education, claiming that such education, as demonstrated in his pursuit of a bachelor of arts degree in Africana Studies at Rutgers University, serves as a means for personal growth and engagement.
- As more adults, like Evans, embrace education-and-self-development and lifelong-learning opportunities, it is crucial for universities to cultivate adaptable, age-inclusive learning environments to meet the rising demand for stimulating experiences among older adults, as evidenced by the growing number of older students in programs like Rutgers University's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
