IWU to Host Adult Research Center

Indiana Wesleyan University, which has received national attention for its innovative adult education programs, has been chosen by the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities as the home for an international center to study adult learning.

The Research Center in Adult Learning will be a joint effort between IWU and the Washington, D.C.-based Council, a higher education association of 182 Christian institutions around the world.

IWU has begun a nationwide search for an executive director for the Center, which is scheduled to open in July. A major purpose of the Center is to increase the knowledge base in adult education by establishing a research agenda that engages the academic community in scholarly research.

“The CCCU is proud to partner with our member, Indiana Wesleyan University, a nationally recognized leader in adult education, to establish the Research Center in Adult Learning,” said Dr. Paul R. Corts, CCCU president.

“The research conducted through the Center will broadly benefit all of higher education as our colleges and universities increasingly focus programs and services to serve the adult community’s professional and lifelong learning needs,” Dr. Corts said.

Dr. Henry Smith, IWU president, and Dr. Mike Bonner, IWU’s Vice President for Adult and Graduate Studies, began meeting with CCCU officials almost a year ago to discuss the research center.  

“The Center reflects the stature of IWU in the world of adult education and will advance our vision to be a premier University committed to changing the world for Christ,” Dr. Smith said.

Dr. Bonner said the Center will bring together excellent professional expertise, which currently exists in adult education programs among the CCCU members.  “The Center will use these resources in a cohesive, formalized approach to finding and disseminating new knowledge in adult learning,” he said

IWU will provide staffing, space and support services for the Center.

IWU and the CCCU will work together to develop administrative and governance policies for the Center, and a steering committee will be appointed to assist the executive director in identifying research topics, resources and expertise.

The proposed research agenda likely will include topics such as:

• Development of norms for adult student learning outcomes.
• Studies of best practices for onsite higher education for adults.
• Studies for best practices for online education with adults.
• Warehousing financial data from CCCU adult programs.
• Developing and conducting national surveys and other research projects regarding adult education.
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CCCU member institutions will enjoy benefits such as offering input into the research agenda, accessing research findings, having an extra resource for help with questions regarding adult learning and attending conferences on adult education.

IWU began offering adult education programs in 1985 and now has more than 11,000 adults enrolled in classes on 14 regional campuses in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio – as well as online. About 35,000 adults have earned degrees since 1985.

The CCCU has 105 member institutions in North American and all are fully accredited, comprehensive colleges and universities with curricula rooted in the arts and sciences.  In addition, 77 affiliate campuses from 24 countries are part of the CCCU.

The Council’s mission is to advance the cause of Christ-centered higher education and to help its institutions transform lives by faithfully relating scholarship and service to biblical truth.