The decision to return to higher education is a significant one. For adult learners who are often balancing school with work, family, and community responsibilities, reentry can be a vulnerable time. A strong orientation program acknowledges that reality while connecting learners to the right support from day one.

So how can institutions build an orientation that truly meets the needs of returning learners?

Eastern Michigan University (EMU), a ReUp partner, offers a strong example. Evona Jones, Director of Partner Success at ReUp, and Dr. Alicia Apperson, Director of Academic Advising at EMU, shared the steps colleges and universities can take to build their own effective orientation modules for adult learners. Watch their full conversation below.

Step 1: Understand the needs of adult learners

Before building any program, you need to understand who you’re building it for. Adult learners are parents, full-time employees, and caregivers. Their needs differ significantly from those of traditional-aged students. Learners often require flexibility, clear guidance on navigating university systems, and targeted information about financial aid and career services.

“Following the COVID-19 pandemic, our returning learners indicated that they really wanted information regarding navigating online courses, where to go for help, and what support services EMU was offering.” — Dr. Alicia Apperson, Director of Academic Advising, EMU

The data reinforces this. According to the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, more than 50% of adult learners stop out within their first year, often due to challenges balancing education with other life commitments.

Tip: Start by gathering direct feedback. Surveys, focus groups, and one-on-one conversations with current or prospective adult learners can surface the specific pain points that an orientation program needs to address.

Step 2: Gain institutional buy-in

A strong idea needs institutional support to move forward. For EMU, that meant involving their orientation team, provost office, and associate vice president for student success from the start.

“Our provost was very supportive of using these modules.” — Dr. Alicia Apperson

Tip: Frame the initiative around outcomes that matter to leadership: increased enrollment, stronger retention, and tuition revenue recovery. When leaders see a clear connection between orientation and student success metrics, they’re far more likely to provide the resources needed to move forward.

Step 3: Design tailored, accessible content

Adult learners are short on time and need information that is relevant, concise, and easy to access. A one-size-fits-all approach won’t work. EMU found success by creating specific modules for returning learners, transfer students, and international students alike.

Tips:

• Collaborate across departments. Your advising center, financial aid office, career services, and IT department all hold essential information adult learners need. Working together creates a more comprehensive resource library.
• Present information in a modular format. This allows learners to access exactly what they need, when they need it — without having to wade through content that isn’t relevant to their situation.

Step 4: Build a user-friendly platform

How you present information matters as much as the information itself. The platform should be intuitive, easy to navigate, and free of unnecessary friction.

“We moved many of our key departments — like housing and residence life, advising, career development, and financial aid — to an online module format to provide a space for students to easily locate information or resources on an ongoing basis.” — Dr. Alicia Apperson

Tip: The platform should be visually engaging and mobile-friendly, with a simple dashboard, clear headings, and a logical flow. The goal is to reduce friction, not add to it.

For a deeper look at EMU’s orientation modules — including a live demonstration — watch the full conversation with Evona Jones and Dr. Alicia Apperson.

Step 5: Use feedback to refine and improve

The needs of learners and the processes of any institution are constantly evolving. EMU used feedback from ReUp’s Success Coaches and returning learners to refine their modules over time. This included the creation of new tutorials on navigating the Canvas Learning Management System, a direct response to a common pain point.

Tip: Establish a formal process for collecting and acting on feedback. Simple surveys embedded within the modules or follow-up emails can provide a steady stream of insights to inform iterative improvements.

Step 6: Identify what resonates most

As you gather data, you’ll start to see patterns in what learners engage with most. For EMU, the “Academic Experience” and “Paying for College” modules proved to be the most popular among returning learners because they reflect two of the biggest challenges this population faces.

Tip: Pay close attention to engagement metrics. Which modules are getting the most views? Where are learners spending the most time? Use that data to prioritize future content development and focus resources where they matter most.

Step 7: Plan for future enhancements

A successful orientation program is never truly finished. EMU is already planning future updates,  including a video on navigating their updated student portal and a tutorial on submitting new transcripts. That commitment to continuous improvement is key to long-term success.

Tip: Develop a roadmap for future updates. This could include new modules, refreshed content that reflects institutional changes, or new technologies. Planning ahead ensures your orientation continues to meet the evolving needs of your adult learner population.

Want more inspiration? To assess where your institution currently stands, take our online quiz.