Morgan State University’s College of Interdisciplinary and Continuing Studies Honored with National Older Adult Model Program Award

Association for Continuing Higher Education Recognizes “Morgan Completes You” Program’s Innovation, Adaptability, and Exceptional Service in Expanding Degree Completion

In 2021, Morgan State University introduced a bold and forward-thinking novel program—Morgan Completes You—which sought to address a critical need in educational attainment. Housed with the University’s College of Interdisciplinary and Continuing Studies (CICS), the program created a pathway for adult learners with some college credit but no degree to complete the journey. As a result of the program’s growing success, it has been recognized, most recently receiving the Association for Continuing Higher Education’s (ACHE) 2025 ACHE Older Adult Model Award. Bestowed during ACHE’s 87^th Annual Conference held in Milwaukee, this national recognition honors programs that provide outstanding learning opportunities and services for older adult populations.

The award highlights CICS’s commitment to supporting all adult learners and increasing opportunities for degree completion, including serving the nearly 5.5 million adults over 65 with some college and no degree. Since its launch, Morgan Completes You has provided interdisciplinary undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs built around a supportive and flexible framework that recognizes prior learning and transfer credit while honoring learners’ personal and professional goals. The Morgan Completes You program is designed for all learners, including working professionals, career changers, and legacy scholars, retired individuals who are not ready to stop learning and who see education as a lifelong pursuit.

“This award recognizing our adult learners reminds us that learning has no expiration date,” said Nicole Westrick, Ph.D., assistant vice president and dean of the College of Interdisciplinary and Continuing Studies at Morgan State University. “Their commitment to finish what they started, after careers, families, and full lives, embodies the spirit of Morgan State. CICS is helping students complete degrees and write the next chapter of their legacy.”

To support students participating in the Morgan Completes You program, CICS has developed technology supports to navigate online learning systems, digital classrooms, and portfolio tools.  CICS also provides orientation sessions, one-on-one support, and “just-in-time” tutorials that empower all learners to succeed in virtual learning environments.

By serving adults aged 65 and older – an often-overlooked population in national degree completion initiatives – CICS advances Morgan State’s mission of access and equity in higher education. To date, CICS has graduated 83 bachelor’s degree students, 14 master’s degree students, and two Ph.D. students, with 219 students currently enrolled across programs.