Susan J. Olson, PhD, Adult Learner Book Scholarship

The Susan J. Olson, PhD, Adult Learner Book Scholarship was established in November 2015 by Susan J. Olson, PhD, a professor in the LeBron James Family Foundation College of Education at The University of Akron who is retiring in December 2015 with 27 years of service. Olson’s exceptional career, which has positively impacted thousands of students and advanced the University, has been recognized by her colleagues, who voted to award her Emeritus status.

An educator for 35 years, Olson taught at Pennsylvania State University (where she earned her PhD), Central Michigan University, Nova Southeastern University, and ARIN Intermediate Unit 28 in Indiana, Pa., prior to joining The University of Akron in 1989. At UA, her accomplishments were many, including serving as an administrator for 15 years, teaching the first credit course in Distance Learning Classroom in 1998, leading the approval of the first fully online degrees by the Higher Learning Commission in 2010, serving three years as chair of University chairs and directors, and securing $500,000 in grants. During her career, she directed 26 dissertations; served as a member of more than 50 dissertation committees; directed seven master’s theses and projects; and refereed 19 publications, 24 presentations, and two journals. She also is the recipient of 16 regional, national, and international awards recognizing her excellence.
Olson created The Susan J. Olson, PhD, Adult Learner Book Scholarship to provide financial assistance for returning adult students pursuing a bachelor’s degree through the UA Adult Focus program. As the number of traditional-aged college students declines, Olson desired to take advantage of UA’s ability to serve nontraditional students.

Candidates must be age 25 years or older and demonstrate economic need, e.g., Pell Grant recipient or Pell Grant eligible. Initially, one $100 scholarship toward book costs will be awarded annually, with more scholarship monies awarded each year if additional funds are available. The Adult Focus Scholarship Committee and the Office of Student Financial Aid will make the scholarship selections.