Our Team
Office Hours
Monday - Thursday
8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Friday
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday
Closed
Accreditation
The University of Southern Indiana is accredited for ten years at the baccalaureate and master's levels by The Higher Learning Commission. Specific programs are accredited by the appropriate professional organizations and state agencies.
Mission
The Center for Adult Learner Success exists to serve as an advocate for adult learners interested in pursuing higher education with the University of Southern Indiana. The Center collaborates with academic colleges, Outreach and Engagement, and campus support services to act as a primary University contact point for potential and current adult students.
Vision
The Center for Adult Learner Success, guided by USI's strategic goals, will lead the University in becoming a premier provider of education offerings for the adult learner population.
Our Stories
Click on the names of our staff members below to read their own adult learner stories.
Kristie Byrns is a proud alumna of the University of Southern Indiana. She first attended USI directly out of high school and discovered the timing wasn’t best for her. She returned to the University in her mid-twenties after working for several years. With five years of dedication, she was able to complete a bachelor's degree in sociology while still working full-time. She went on to earn a master's degree in public service administration from the University of Evansville.
Kristie previously worked in the University of Evansville’s Center for Adult Education from 2009-2016, where she served as director from 2012-2016. More recently, she held the title of executive director of Albion Fellows Bacon Center, a local nonprofit organization aiding those impacted by domestic and sexual violence, from 2016-2021. Kristie has served on the Board of Directors for Albion Fellows Bacon Center and A Network of Evansville Women (ANEW).
“I believe that it is never too late to pursue your goals. Earning my degrees helped me realize what I’m capable of accomplishing. Advancing my career was the initial driving force in going back to college as a working adult, but the lasting benefit of a goal achieved is the most rewarding aspect of my higher education experience. Working with other adult learners and helping them realize this potential within themselves is a great honor and one I look forward to each day. It has been a full-circle moment for me to return to USI, the university that helped set me on my path to success.”
Nicole Glover started her undergraduate studies at Transylvania University and later transferred to Kentucky Wesleyan College, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. She has worked as a classroom teacher, a professional development coordinator, and an educational technology director.
Nicole is excited to now work in higher education and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration Nonprofit Certificate at the University of Southern Indiana.
"I look forward to encouraging other adult learners at USI and helping them find their path, regardless of age or how long they have been away from the classroom."
Jaymi Johnston earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education at the University of Southern Indiana in 1998. Since then, she has worked throughout the tri-state area in various elementary and middle school classrooms as a special education and substitute teacher.
Jaymi knows firsthand how challenging it can be to juggle higher education while working full-time and supporting a family. After receiving her bachelor’s, she proceeded to work toward a graduate degree at USI. Despite some pauses along the way, Jaymi proudly earned her master’s degree in education in 2013.
“The pride I felt having the people I love most cheering as I walked across the commencement stage was amazing. I'll never forget my children holding a poster that read: ‘Way to go, Mom! We love you!’”
Paige Rogers attended Murray State University immediately after high school and earned a bachelor's degree in marketing in 2013, but not before changing her major multiple times (from engineering physics to accounting to marketing). After six years of working in her field (at a regional branding firm, a global advertising agency, and then in higher education), she enrolled again at Murray State to pursue a master's degree while working full-time.
Paige completed her MBA in marketing in 2021, at the age of 30, and is now a strong advocate for adult learners. She plans to enroll in the TESOL Certificate program at USI and hopefully earn a doctorate degree in the near future, taking various Lifelong Learning courses along the way.
"I can't believe I waited so long to pursue a graduate degree. The only thing holding me back was fear - mostly the fear that I wouldn't be as good of a student as I had been previously. It feels empowering to prove yourself wrong and to work toward achieving a goal!"
Amy Wilkerson attended the University of Southern Indiana right out of high school, but life changes put her education on hold. Amy always dreamed of completing her undergraduate degree but put it off while working full-time and raising a family. She returned to USI after being out of college for 18 years, graduated in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in political science, and worked for Albion Fellows Bacon Center in the Primary Prevention Department after graduating.
Amy is now excited to work for her alma mater, helping other adult learners pursue their dreams of higher education. In fact, Amy also plans to move forward into a master’s program soon.
“It's never too late to pursue your dreams of higher education. I went back to school after my kids were in grade school and felt so proud for them to see me walk across the stage and get my diploma. Lifelong learning is a passion of mine, and I look forward to helping others complete that dream, realizing their full potential.”