Richard Gonzalez, Ed.D., is the Assistant Commissioner for Adult Learner Access with the Utah System of Higher Education and previously served in various roles within student services at Utah State University. He has an M.B.A. from Utah State University and an Ed.D. in Education, Leadership, and Policy from The University of Utah. Dr. Gonzalez earned all this higher education as an adult learner starting with remedial courses in 2010 after being laid off. He serves as Board President of the Utah Jump$tart Coalition, a financial literacy education organization for youth; he was also selected as a member of the national advisory committee for the National College Attainment Network (NCAN), which supports underrepresented students to excel through higher education. The intersectionality of identities, which include first-gen college student, low-income upbringing, son of immigrant parents, alternative high school graduate, and adult learner, inform his perspective as a higher education professional and researcher. His research interests are mostly focused on adult learners and enrollment management practices. His personal and professional journey uniquely positions him to contribute to the study’s narrative and research questions.
How do Adult Learners Fit into Strategic Enrollment Management Plans? Attitude and Perception of Enrollment Managers