A Welcoming Environment: Nontraditional Students’ Experiences at a Small, Healthcare-Focused University

Abstract

Nontraditional students represent a large percentage of the population in higher education, yet some institutions may be better suited than others to serve their needs. This research took place at a small, healthcare-focused university that attracts many nontraditional students, so I sought to gather information about the quality of their experiences. I conducted online interviews with a sample of nontraditional students (seven female, one male) to see if they felt welcomed, if their needs were being served, and how they coped with challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Transcriptions of the recorded interviews were reviewed, and an inductive approach was taken in analyzing them. Statements were coded into six themes: the welcoming environment of the university, comparisons to other schools, relations between traditional and nontraditional students, helpful services offered by the university, suggestions for ways to help nontraditional students at the university, and social support received by the students. Analysis revealed that the students were highly satisfied with their university experience and the quality of the academic support they received. Future research could assess the effectiveness of services for both traditional and nontraditional students in terms of student satisfaction, student success, or retention rate.