Adult Learners

Welcome to the NEST's Adult Learner Programs. If you are a student of ages 23 and up who wants to earn a college degree, this site will provide you with the resources you need to navigate through your collage path at UNG. Whether you have never attended college, have some college experience, or want to advance in your career, we are here to support you.

Our staff is dedicated to helping adult learners achieve their goals of higher education. Our goal is to ensure that all of our students are aware of the benefits available to them through the university and prepare to enter the post-graduate world. NEST strives to continually improve adult learner focused services, programs and outreach.

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Renee Clement and family at commencement — "Going back to college after 25 years was a huge decision, but has turned out to be a great one for my family and me." Renee Clement, one of the five recipients of the Women of UNG Scholarship

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Return to UNG Veterans and Military-Connected Students

Connection

Adult Learners will foster a sense of community by developing relationships with their peers through on-campus activities and co-curricular programs.
Adult Learners will connect with faculty and staff who will assist them with transitioning into career-enhancing programs.

Preparation

Adult Learners will be able to identify and define the knowledge, skills, and competencies acquired from their life experiences and apply them within the college curriculum.  
Adult Learners will enhance their leadership skills and become self-directed, life-long learners.

Navigation

Adult Learners will overcome barriers by utilizing UNG resources to complete their education and reach their career goals.
Adult Learners will develop skills to balance adult responsibilities while navigating their educational pathways.

Adult Learner and Transfer Lounges

The Adult Learner and Transfer Lounges (ALTL) are dedicated spaces for adult learners (23 years or older) and/or transfer students to relax, socialize with peers, study privately or in groups, meet with one-on-one tutors, and work at computer stations. The centers are located on the Dahlonega Campus in the Hoag Student Center Room 320 and on the Gainesville Campus in the Student Center across from the campus bookstore.

Adult Learner services are available at other campuses upon request, email us at nest@ung.edu.

History of Adult Learner Programs at UNG

In 2010, the UNG Gainesville Campus (formerly Gainesville State College), now one of the five campuses of the consolidated University of North Georgia (UNG), was honored to become a part of the Adult Learning Consortium (ALC). 

Along with this recognition, the UNG Gainesville Campus received a $25,000 grant to increase support for adult learners. The grant was subsequently renewed in 2012 for an additional $25,000. The intent of the grant was “to galvanize [adult Georgians] to change their situation, thereby boosting the state’s economic growth” (University System of Georgia).

As part of this same initiative, in March 2011, the University System of Georgia’s Office of Military Outreach awarded the UNG Gainesville Campus the Soldiers to Scholars grant enabling the university to better serve military personnel in its service area. With the ALC grant funds, institutional funds, and faculty/staff support, the University of North Georgia has continued to grow its support for veterans and adult learner students. 

With a growing number of both student veterans and adult learners, UNG created the Center for Adult Learners & Military (CALM) in 2012 in an effort to better serve these non-traditional student populations. CALM was renamed in January 2017 to Veteran & Adult Learner Programs (VALP).

In August 2020, VALP and Orientation and Transitions Program (OTP) merged to form a new department:  Nighthawk Engagement and Student Transitions (NEST). This merger has increased the number of dedicated staff trained to serve Veterans and Adult Learners. NEST is now able to provide a dedicated team of staff members for Veterans and a dedicated team for Adult Learners. Having specific staff dedicated to each of these programs allows NEST to continue all previous VALP programs with an addition of new programs better geared toward each specific population. These programs will help Veterans and Adult Learners connect, prepare, and navigate their college career.

NEST is the point-of-contact concierge for the Veteran and Adult Learners and provides advisement as requested, ACE transcript reviews, portfolio counseling, career advisement, and mentoring. NEST also works with faculty and staff by providing them training opportunities concerning Veteran and Adult Learners.