Indianapolis, Indiana – Pam Wimbush’s transition into her new role as the dean of UIndy Online and the Sease Institute marks a significant step in her long career in online education. With over two decades of experience in the field, Wimbush is intimately familiar with the challenges and opportunities that adult learners face. But her understanding of these challenges is not just professional—it’s personal. As someone who was once an adult learner herself, raising a child while pursuing her degree, she brings a level of empathy and insight that few in the field can match.
Before Wimbush joined the University of Indianapolis in February, she spent years working in online education, most recently at Sacramento State. Her journey as an adult learner began long before she stepped into the administrative role she now holds. She knows first-hand what it takes to balance work, family, and education.
“I feel like my own unique experiences having been an adult learner from the beginning to the end,” Wimbush reflected in a recent conversation, “it brings out my passion for the work that I do.”
A Nontraditional Path to Education
Wimbush’s educational journey was far from traditional. She did not follow the usual path of attending college immediately after high school. Instead, she worked while pursuing her education, all while raising her daughter. Flexibility was not just an option—it was a necessity. Like many adult learners, she found that traditional college schedules did not accommodate her responsibilities as a working parent.
Read also: Indiana University returns human remains to Rapa Nui in historic repatriation
“I started out at our local university. They still had that traditional scheduling, and so it was hard for me to get off from work at 2, to be in class at 2:50, then being able to pick up my daughter,” Wimbush recalled. This struggle led her to explore alternatives that would better fit her life and goals. She enrolled in a community college, eventually earning a certificate in computer operations before going on to complete her bachelor’s in computer studies.
Wimbush’s journey took another pivotal turn when she began to reflect on her future in education. The late nights spent troubleshooting programs and feeling burnt out by the demands of her coursework led her to a decision. “That’s when I started thinking about working in this professional and continuing education space,” she said. It was in this phase that she realized her passion for online learning and distance education. These programs allowed her to complete her studies while managing her personal life. They also sparked her desire to help others navigate the same challenging balance.
Now, as the dean of UIndy Online and the Sease Institute, she’s able to give back by making education more accessible to those who, like her, face similar obstacles.
Shaping the Future of UIndy Online
Under Wimbush’s leadership, UIndy Online and the Sease Institute aim to provide more than just degree programs—they are committed to creating a supportive ecosystem for adult learners. These learners often come to UIndy with different goals in mind: some are looking to finish degrees they started but never completed, while others need to reskill or upskill to keep pace with the rapidly changing job market.
Read also: Waldron Arts Center unveils new March exhibitions featuring diverse themes
“We will have those online degree completion programs for them,” Wimbush explained. “For those individuals who want to reskill and upskill, the Sease Institute will have programming for them.” This vision includes building stronger ties with local corporations and community partners to better understand the skills their employees need and to develop programs that address those needs.
At UIndy, there’s a clear focus on meeting learners where they are—both academically and professionally. The goal is to offer programs that help people advance their careers, whether that means completing a degree or earning a certification. Wimbush believes that by offering stackable degrees and bite-sized programs, UIndy can ease the overwhelming feeling that often comes with returning to school.
“We want to be able to help those individuals do that,” she said, referring to the career changers and individuals who may be reconsidering their professional paths later in life. For example, she noted, many people in their 50s who are nearing retirement are now reconsidering their careers, particularly in fields like technology. UIndy Online is uniquely positioned to support these nontraditional students, giving them the flexibility to gain the skills they need to transition into new careers.
Designing for Flexibility and Quality
One of the most important elements of adult education is flexibility—and that’s something Wimbush knows all too well. She understands that adult learners have competing priorities: work, family, and other responsibilities often take precedence over traditional classroom schedules. With that in mind, UIndy Online is offering courses that run in shorter, eight-week terms. This approach provides students with the flexibility to complete their coursework without feeling overwhelmed by a traditional semester’s length.
But Wimbush is also committed to ensuring that these shorter terms don’t come at the cost of educational quality. “There will be some courses that still are run on the traditional schedule, but really being able to have those eight-week courses still run by our esteemed faculty, still gaining the same quality content and that engagement in those courses,” she assured.
Wimbush’s vision for UIndy Online includes more than just flexibility in course length; it also extends to how programs are structured. She wants to ensure that those students who need to upskill or reskill can do so without disrupting their personal or professional lives. For instance, educators looking to enhance their qualifications can take advantage of courses offered over the summer, when their teaching schedules might be lighter.
“We’re also thinking about how we can provide these programs for people while they’re off work in the summer,” Wimbush noted. “Those are the types of things that we’re looking for.”
The Importance of Adult and Nontraditional Learners
Adult learners face unique challenges that traditional students don’t always experience. For Wimbush, supporting these learners is not just a professional responsibility—it’s a personal mission. She is committed to creating opportunities for social and economic mobility through education, something she believes is especially important for parents who may be returning to school to improve their lives and the lives of their families.
“There is a sense of social and economic mobility. It improves the lives of their families,” Wimbush emphasized. “That prior learning assessment is really critical and crucial, because if you feel like you’ve got to start all the way from the bottom to get here, and you look at the number of years that it’s going to take you and also the cost, you feel like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m defeated before I even start.’”
Through the Sease Institute and UIndy Online, Wimbush hopes to remove some of the barriers that prevent adult learners from returning to school. By offering affordable programs, providing support services, and creating flexible learning options, UIndy is positioning itself as a champion for nontraditional students. And for those parents who complete their programs, there’s the added benefit of being able to support their children as they pursue their own educational journeys.
“It’s really just coming full circle and being able to add to the social and the economic mobility,” Wimbush said, underscoring the importance of creating programs that work for adult learners who are striving to improve not just their own lives, but the lives of their families as well.
As she continues to build and expand UIndy’s online offerings, Wimbush remains deeply committed to ensuring that adult learners receive the support they need to succeed. Her leadership will undoubtedly make a significant impact on the future of education at UIndy, especially for those who need that extra bit of flexibility to balance their education with the demands of life.
For Wimbush, her work is more than just a career—it’s a personal mission, one that she’s passionate about because she’s lived it herself. And with her guidance, UIndy Online is set to continue to grow and evolve in ways that benefit nontraditional learners across the Indianapolis area and beyond.
