Registration Information
Whether you plan to attend our virtual live session or view our pre-recorded sessions on your own time, please click the button below to register for the Adult Learner Expo. This will ensure that you receive the Zoom link for the live session (if attending) as well as all session recordings.
Live Session Information
Your Success, Your Way: Discover What’s Possible at USI (6:00 - 7:00 p.m. CDT)
Thinking about starting college or returning to finish your degree? At USI, we understand that adult learners have different responsibilities and goals, and we’re here to help. Join us to learn about support resources at USI, earning credit for prior learning, financing your education, and more. Stick around for a Q&A after the presentation to get your questions answered by USI staff.
Pre-Recorded Sessions and Handouts
The resources featured below will be available beginning at 8:00 a.m. CDT on the morning of the Expo. Until then, take a look at the topics and resources that will be made available to help support you at every stage of your educational journey
Session titles shown in blue below indicate pre-recorded video sessions, whereas titles shown in red represent printable PDF handouts.
Getting Started: Resources for Prospective Adult Learners - Discover the key resources available to help you start your higher education journey with confidence. Learn how the Online and Adult Learning team, Undergraduate Admissions, and Student Financial Assistance can guide you through the application process, financial aid, and more. Follow along using the printable handout, which highlights key resources discussed in the presentation.
Earn College Credit for Prior Learning Experiences - Have you completed previous college-level coursework, possess industry certifications, or have experience in industry? Learn more about what experiences can be considered to earn credit for your prior learning and experiences, USI's policy, eligibility requirements, and how to request a review to determine if you can be awarded college credit.
Common Higher Education Terms - Don't let academic jargon slow you down! Use this guide to quickly understand the most common terms used in higher education so you can focus on what really matters - your success.
Your Support Network: Resources for Current Adult Learners - Explore the wide range of support services available to help you succeed once you’re enrolled at USI. From your Online and Adult Learning team to the Academic Success Center, Disability Resources, IT Services, Library Services, CAPS, and the Veterans, Military, and Family Resource Center, discover the people, tools, and services that will help you thrive at USI. Refer to the printable handout to connect with services that support your success!
Your Online and Adult Learning Team - Meet the dedicated team supporting all adult learners at USI! Learn how your Student Support Specialist, Intake Specialist, and other Online and Adult Learning staff provide guidance, resources, and programming designed to enhance your online learning experience.
Time Management Strategies for the Adult College Student - Adult learners don't lack time management skills, they just have less time to manage. This session provides practical strategies to help you find pockets of productivity and successfully balance your coursework with work and family commitments. Follow along with the Time Hacks handout!
The Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How of Adult Education - Being an adult learner is more common than you may realize, so you shouldn’t feel intimidated or self-conscious about taking classes as an adult. Join us for this session that explores the many benefits of completing an academic program or taking a single class to explore a personal interest.
Your Roadmap, One Checkpoint at a Time - Break your career goals into manageable steps with a roadmap designed for adult learners. Explore simple 15-minute career moves you can take at each stage, whether you’re just getting started or already working toward your next goal.
Deciding to Return - Thinking about going back to school? This video explores the decision from a career perspective and helps you consider how returning to school can support your professional goals.
Talking With Your Employer About Going Back to School - Learn how to start a conversation with your employer about going back to school, including questions about tuition assistance, schedule flexibility, and career growth opportunities.
Making Credentials Count Before Graduation - You don’t have to wait until graduation to show what you’re accomplishing. Learn how to highlight certificates, microcredentials, and degrees in progress on your resume and LinkedIn so your education can support your career goals along the way.
Ready to apply to USI? Follow along with this step-by-step guide, and choose the option that best matches your situation. Choose the First-Time Freshman tutorial if you have no previous college credit, or choose the Transfer Student tutorial if you have earned college credit at another college or university.
Taking the Next Step: Your Guide to Applying to USI (First-Time Freshmen)
Taking the Next Step: Your Guide to Applying to USI (Transfer Students)
For questions about the undergraduate application process, please contact us at adult.learners@usi.edu.
For questions about the graduate application process, please contact USI School of Graduate Studies at graduate.studies@usi.edu.
If you were unable to attend our January 8, 2026 event or wish to review the recordings, see the Sessions below.
Session titles shown in blue below indicate pre-recorded video sessions, whereas titles shown in red represent printable PDF handouts.
Getting Started: Resources for Prospective Adult Learners - Discover the key resources available to help you start your higher education journey with confidence. Learn how the Online and Adult Learning team, Undergraduate Admissions, and Student Financial Assistance can guide you through the application process, financial aid, and more. Follow along using the printable handout, which highlights key resources discussed in the presentation.
Your Support Network: Resources for Current Adult Learners - Explore the wide range of support services available to help you succeed once you’re enrolled at USI. From your Online and Adult Learning team to the Academic Success Center, Disability Resources, IT Services, Library Services, CAPS, and the Veterans, Military, and Family Resource Center, discover the people, tools, and services that will help you thrive at USI. Refer to the printable handout to connect with services that support your success!
Making Education Affordable: The Adult Learner Guide - Investing in your future shouldn't feel like a mystery. This guide clarifies the difference between aid you keep (like grants and scholarships) and aid you repay, while introducing you to essential resources like the Financial Success Center and the USI Foundation. Learn how the Bursar's office works and discover how to leverage employer tuition reimbursement to make your degree more affordable.
Your Online and Adult Learning Team - Meet the dedicated team supporting all adult learners at USI! Learn how your Student Support Specialist, Intake Specialist, and other Online and Adult Learning staff provide guidance, resources, and programming designed to enhance your online learning experience.
Tips for Success: Preparing for the Journey - Succeeding in college is all about having the right systems in place. This session explores how to audit your technology needs, set study boundaries, and master the habits of proactive communication. Discover how to utilize support resources and set realistic expectations to ensure you feel confident and prepared from day one. Don't forget to download the Tips for Success handout with notes from the presentation.
Time Hacks: Managing Life, Work, and Study - Adult learners don't lack time management skills, they just have less time to manage. This session provides practical strategies to help you find pockets of productivity and successfully balance your coursework with work and family commitments. Follow along with the Time Hacks handout!
The Growth Mindset: Embrace Learning with Confidence - Develop strategies to approach challenges and learning opportunities with confidence! This session introduces the principles of a growth mindset and how it can empower you as an adult learner. Review this session to learn practical strategies for overcoming obstacles, embracing new skills, and reaching success. Download the printable handout to review key ideas and strategies from the session.
Common Higher Education Terms - Don't let academic jargon slow you down! Use this guide to quickly understand the most common terms used in higher education so you can focus on what really matters - your success.
Investing in Long-Term Benefits - Earning your first credential or returning to college to complete a degree is an investment in your career and future. Learn what some of the long-term benefits can be and how a credential can help you advance your career and make the short-term investment worthwhile.
Explore Your Options at USI: Credentials That Fit Your Goals - Explore the variety of credentials available at USI and learn the differences between noncredit options, microcredentials, certificates, and a full degree by watching the video recording of this live session.
Know Your Why: What's Really Driving Your Career Goals? - Helping students reflect on whether they're seeking something entirely new or want to grow within their current field, and connecting that motivation to their educational path.
Taking Inventory: How Your Skills Apply to Either Path - Walking students through identifying transferrable skills and showing how the same experiences can be positioned differently depending on whether they're switching or advancing.
Your Next Move: Action Steps for Switchers and Advancers - Concrete first steps for each path, including networking tips, resume positioning, and how to leverage Career Success Center resources.
Download USI's Career Success Center handout made exclusively for the Adult Learner Expo!
Taking the Next Step: Your Guide to Applying to USI (First-Time Freshmen)
Taking the Next Step: Your Guide to Applying to USI (Transfer Students)
Ready to move from "thinking about it" to "doing it"? Follow this step-by-step walkthrough of the undergraduate application process and download the printable USI Application Materials Readiness Guide to ensure a seamless and confident submission.
For questions about the undergraduate application process, please contact us at adult.learners@usi.edu.
For questions about the graduate application process, please contact USI School of Graduate Studies at graduate.studies@usi.edu.
| Session Title | Topics Covered | Time |
| What Credentials Are Available for Me at USI? | There are many types of credentials available at USI. We will discuss the different options available at USI and explain the differences between a microcredential, certificate, and a full degree, credit and non-credit, while also providing insights on what option may best meet your educational and career goals. | Watch the recording! |
| Preparing for Success | College success starts before the first day. Learn how to prepare your space, time, and technology so you can say, "I've got this." | Watch the Recording! |
| Some College, No Degree? No Problem! | We realize that situations may arise that prevent someone from finishing their degree initially. USI offers programs geared towards students who have some college, but no degree. Find out what options exist for you at USI and the different ways you can complete courses that accommodate your busy schedule. | Watch the recording! |
| Earning College Credit for Your Prior Learning Experiences | Have you completed previous college-level coursework, possess industry certifications, or have experience in industry? Learn more about what experiences can be considered to earn credit for your prior learning and experiences, USI's policy, eligibility requirements, and how to request a review to determine if you can be awarded college credit. | Watch the recording! |
| Paying for Your Education | There are a variety of ways to pay for college, including Federal Financial Aid, grants, scholarships, tuition reimbursement, and more. We will share the different finance options available at USI, what resources we have for students to determine the best way to fund their education, and how to decide the best option for you based upon your personal situation. | Watch the recording! |
| Navigating Online Education | Many USI programs and courses are available online to better meet your busy schedules. In this session, you will learn what online learning is at USI, how online learning is different from in-person learning, strategies to be successful learning online, and what resources we offer at USI to our students taking online classes. | Watch the recording! |
| Returning to Earn a Graduate Degree? | Do you already have a bachelor's degree? USI offers many master's and doctoral level programs to assist you in furthering your education and career ambitions. We will share what other graduate students have shared that allowed them to return to earn a graduate degree, such as time management skills, what resources are available to assist USI graduate students, and how to be both a learner and a professional at the same time. | No Recording Available |
| Session Title | Topics Covered | Time | Session Recordings |
| What Credentials Are Available for Me at USI? | There are many types of credentials available at USI. We will discuss the different options available at USI and explain the differences between a microcredential, certificate, and a full degree, credit and non-credit, while also providing insights on what option may best meet your educational and career goals. | 11:00 - 11:40 a.m. CST | Watch the recording! |
| Some College, No Degree? No Problem! | We realize that situations may arise that prevent someone from finishing their degree initially. USI offers programs geared towards students who have some college, but no degree. Find out what options exist for you at USI and the different ways you can complete courses that accommodate your busy schedule. | 11:45 a.m. - 12:25 p.m. CST | Watch the recording! |
| Returning to Earn a Graduate Degree? | Do you already have a bachelor's degree? USI offers many master's and doctoral level programs to assist you in furthering your education and career ambitions. We will share what other graduate students have shared that allowed them to return to earn a graduate degree, such as time management skills, what resources are available to assist USI graduate students, and how to be both a learner and a professional at the same time. | 11:45 a.m. - 12:25 p.m. CST | No Recording Available |
| Earning College Credit for Your Prior Learning Experiences | Have you completed previous college-level coursework, possess industry certifications, or have experience in industry? Learn more about what experiences can be considered to earn credit for your prior learning and experiences, USI's policy, eligibility requirements, and how to request a review to determine if you can be awarded college credit. | 12:30 - 1:10 p.m. CST | Watch the recording! |
| Position Yourself to Get That Next Job or Promotion | Many learners return to college to acquire new skills and knowledge for a job change, promotion, or career change. Earning an additional academic credential is often one of the pieces of the puzzle to accomplish these changes. We will share other strategies to employ to assist in these work-related changes. | 12:30 - 1:10 p.m. CST | No Recording Available |
| Paying for Your Education | There are a variety of ways to pay for college, including Federal Financial Aid, grants, scholarships, tuition reimbursement, and more. We will share the different finance options available at USI, what resources we have for students to determine the best way to fund their education, and how to decide the best option for you based upon your personal situation. | 1:15 - 1:55 p.m. CST | No Recording Available |
| Navigating Online Education | Many USI programs and courses are available online to better meet your busy schedules. In this session, you will learn what online learning is at USI, how online learning is different from in-person learning, strategies to be successful learning online, and what resources we offer at USI to our students taking online classes. | 1:15 - 1:55 p.m. CST | Watch the recording! |