At Barry University, adult learners are at the heart of our mission—and the latest Adult Learner 360 Report confirms that our commitment is paying off. In fall 2025, more than 360 adult learners participated in the national CAEL assessment, offering candid feedback on their academic experience, support services, and pathways to career success. Their responses help institutions nationwide evaluate how well they serve adult and non-traditional students—a population that brings diverse experiences, goals, and motivations to higher education.

This year, Barry University earned CAEL’s prestigious “Innovator” designation, scoring above the median on 92% of assessment items. This recognition is reserved for institutions where adult learners report exceptionally high satisfaction levels, especially in areas tied directly to academic empowerment and meaningful student support.

The survey findings highlight several standout strengths that shape the Barry experience:

1. Empowering Academic Environments

Adult learners consistently praised the way Barry instructors foster learning environments that respect diverse perspectives, life experiences, and beliefs.

• Students rated “My instructors respect different perspectives and beliefs” at 4.56, substantially higher than the national median.
• They also reported strong confidence in navigating their program requirements, rating “I know what I need to do to successfully complete my program” at 4.56. 

2. Transparency That Builds Trust

Adult learners also expressed high satisfaction with how their transfer credits were evaluated:

• “My institution fairly and transparently applied my transfer credits” received a rating of 4.55, one of the highest in the entire report. 

3. A Welcoming Community for Every Student

Students noted that Barry offers an inclusive, affirming environment for people of all backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences.

• “My institution provides a welcoming environment for adult learners of diverse backgrounds” scored 4.55, well above the national median. 

What the “Innovator” Rating Means for Barry

Earning the Innovator designation signals that Barry is already a leader in serving adult learners—a recognition given to institutions that:

• Demonstrate high student satisfaction across key domains
• Embed adult-learner priorities into strategic planning
• Provide strong academic experiences and faculty support
• Align programs with adult students’ needs and goals 

Barry’s adult learners clearly feel supported academically and personally. Their feedback shows that our strengths—welcoming environments, empowered classrooms, equitable policies—are making a meaningful difference.