Central Wyoming College Announces New Initiative to Empower Adult Learners: It’s Never Too Late to Return to the Classroom
Central Wyoming College Announces New Initiative to Empower Adult Learners: It’s Never Too Late to Return to the Classroom
Central Wyoming College (CWC) announces CWC Restart Award: Return with Confidence initiative aimed at Wyoming residents 24 and older who want to start training for a trade, pursue a degree, or return to complete previous studies, with a focus on removing financial barriers and providing holistic support.
Central Wyoming College has analyzed regional data to better understand the needs of nontraditional students, noting that many Wyomingites fall into the “some college, no degree” category and that most CWC students are over 24. The college is restructuring its scholarship model to ensure adult learners receive opportunities similar to those traditionally offered to recent high school graduates.
“We understand that for an adult, the decision to go back to school isn’t just about academics; it’s about life,” says Dr. Coralina Daly, vice president for student affairs. “Our goal is to meet our students where they are – whether that’s at a job site, at home with their children, or in a season of career transition.”
To lower financial barriers, Central Wyoming College is developing a “CWC Restart Award” initiative for qualified adults. The program is intended to cover tuition and general fees for an initial 1–3 credit course required for a student’s program, allowing adults to experience college without immediate financial risk and establish a GPA that may qualify them for scholarships the following year. Successful completion of the first semester leads to a second free class in the spring.
“We know that once students start and get to know our caring staff and faculty, they are set up for success. The trick is helping them see their way in the door,” adds Daly.
Recent graduate Jennifer Atene echoes that point. “I am a nontraditional student, and I have a hard time getting started, and I just don’t know where to start. But with the help of TRIO, I am able to graduate with three degrees.”
Central Wyoming College is emphasizing flexibility and addressing common barriers for working professionals and parents. CWC is expanding customized Interdisciplinary and Technical Studies degrees to match individual circumstances and adopting a new policy to allow additional credit for prior learning, enabling professional experience and workforce training to count toward program requirements and shorten time to graduation. Many programs can be completed fully at a distance or online.
To support adult learners, Central Wyoming College provides:
Data from Central Wyoming College’s Institutional Research indicates adult learners are highly motivated and their engagement builds success. Mathematics Professor Mike Bostick reported to the Board of Trustees recently that “Non-traditional students are often some of my best students.”
The college says programmatic scholarships and employer partnerships with federal agencies and local industries position CWC as a primary engine for workforce development in Fremont County and beyond.
Eligibility for the CWC Restart Award program includes being over 24, new to CWC or away for two or more years, seeking a first certificate or degree, and residing in Wyoming or in Driggs, Victor, or Tetonia, Idaho. A scholarship application and FAFSA are required; the program does not cover course fees. Prospective students can visit cwc.edu to begin the process.
Additionally, the Wyoming’s Tomorrow Scholarship expands access to post-secondary education through financial assistance for qualified students across Wyoming. Available through Wyoming’s community colleges and the University of Wyoming, the scholarship helps adult learners pursue degrees and certificates that strengthen Wyoming’s workforce while creating new educational opportunities close to home.
About Central Wyoming College
Central Wyoming College is a comprehensive community college serving Fremont, Hot Springs, and Teton counties. The college offers academic degrees, career and technical education, and workforce training designed to bolster Wyoming’s economy and enrich the lives of its citizens.