Retaining mature-age students at university: A student services perspective

This paper presents a study of mature-age student perceptions of the university services that enhance academic outcomes and encourage retention. The study explored whether mature-age undergraduates needed, or were interested in, student services, and whether these services enhanced students’ educational experience. A survey was sent to mature-age undergraduates at a U.S. public university. Respondents in this study used some student services, but found few that were helpful to them and did not perceive that many of the services were accessible to them. They further indicated that they would be interested in adult-centred services, and considered these critical to their ongoing academic success. Respondents perceived that the university did not consider them in planning programs and that their experience at the university could be enhanced by this consideration. This study documented that mature-age undergraduates have different student service needs and support a stronger emphasis on adult-focused services. Adult-centred student services can indicate to mature-age undergraduates’ that their presence and participation is valued by the university, encourage community building, and increase retention. Student services are well placed within universities to facilitate and encourage this community-building in mature-age undergraduates.E