The Sacramento K-16 Collaborative is proud to uplift the institutions helping adult learners return to—and succeed in—higher education. One such example Sacramento State‘s ongoing partnership with California Competes and Shasta College as part of a research-practice-policy collaborative known as CaliforniaAttain!. The group collaborated on a two-year research project resulting in the report, From Setback to Success: Meeting Comebacker Students Where They Are.
This research focuses on “comebackers” — adults who left college before earning a credential and later returned to complete their education. With approximately 6 million Californians aged 25 to 64 having some college experience but no credential, understanding and supporting these learners is critical to meeting the state’s workforce and equity goals.
The study included over 50 in-depth interviews with comebackers, exploring the motivations behind their return, the barriers they face, and the support systems that made a difference in their success. Sacramento State played a key role by identifying students who met the criteria for participation, supporting a student researcher who was a comebacker themselves, and providing feedback throughout the project.
Key takeaways from the report reveal the importance of:
- Flexible academic pathways that align with adult learners’ work and family commitments
- Personalized advising and student support tailored to adults re-entering the system
- Financial and emotional encouragement, including recognition of students’ resilience and prior experiences
Many of the students interviewed came from historically underinvested communities, highlighting the urgent need for targeted strategies that promote equity and re-engagement.
By participating in this research, Sacramento State is helping shape the statewide conversation around adult learners and reinforcing the value of listening directly to students to inform policy and practice.
Link to Report and One Pager: Learn More
