Written by Bekkah West and Zoe Brown

Each semester, the Women’s, Gender, and Equity Center (WGEC) hosts a variety of events tailored to support UMBC’s Returning Adult Learner population. Last Fall, we started the semester off with our on-campus orientation for the Returning Adult Learner Scholars and Affiliates, where everyone learned about the WGEC and got to know each other through various activities. Like previous years, we also hosted our monthly virtual meeting open to all Returning Adult Learners regardless of whether they are awarded the scholarship. This year, we are lucky to have Bekkah, an adult learner herself, on staff at the WGEC to facilitate these meetings. The first group meeting centered around the unique experiences of Returning Adult Learners. Adult Learners Week followed shortly after the first virtual meeting this semester, where there were a handful of networking events to participate in. At the October virtual meeting, by popular demand, work-life balance was discussed, as well as how Returning Adult Learners could feel more supported on campus and by each other. November’s meeting was about planning the future of the group and what each person wanted to see as an individual. Also, during the fall semester, a resource fair was held with commuters on campus, who often share that overlapping identity with Returning Adult Learners. Additionally, throughout the semester, the staff at the WGEC held one-on-one meetings with each of the Returning Adult Learner Scholars and Affiliates to check in and support them with any challenges. To round out the semester in December, the WGEC held the End-of-Semester Celebration, where graduating Returning Adult Learners were celebrated, and the demanding work of everyone was acknowledged. A highlight moment for everyone was when Jess Myers, the Associate Director of CWIT, made a special guest appearance to speak about her experience as former Director of the WGEC, and what returning adult learners and their history meant to her and UMBC.

Two of the Returning Adult Learner Scholars and Affiliates graduated at the end of the Fall 2025 semester! One of them graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, and the other graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Both were scholarship recipients in both the 2024-2025 and the 2025-2026 academic years. We are so proud of their accomplishments and excited to hear about their future endeavors!

The Returning Adult Learner Scholars and Affiliates have much to look forward to this upcoming spring semester. Having taken feedback from the group, the WGEC will collaborate with other offices and potential partners off campus to host workshops specifically to continue to support Returning Adult Learners in their academic, personal, and professional journeys. We have heard from many Returning Adult Learners that planning for graduate school, financial literacy, and looking for future job opportunities is what is most interesting to them. We have also heard that folks are looking for developing skills in stress management and networking. The WGEC hopes to provide these opportunities and more throughout the Spring, incorporating what is most important and needed for this population, including in-person events. Reflecting on what we have accomplished thus far, the RALs have truly come together as an engaged and compassionate community, for which many students have expressed gratitude. The staff here at the WGEC are proud of the progress this group has made and look forward to celebrating the many accomplishments ahead!

Fall 2025 Returning Adult Learner End of Semester Cellebration