The demographic of college student 25 years old and older is an ever-increasing number.

Each year more and more non-traditional students are taking advantage of programs offered on and off campuses to continue their education.

According to its brochure, the School of Continuing Education is the “bridge” to the community in providing high-quality credit and non-credit programs for the citizens of the state of Illinois.

William Hine, dean of the School of Continuing Education, said Eastern’s continuing education programs serves more than 9,000 students annually. In collaboration with the colleges, the continuing education offers degree programs at more than 32 sites across Illinois.

Hine said half the people in the American higher education systems are over the age of 25, a number that has grown dramatically throughout the last 25 years.

“We are in a life-long learning society,” Hine said. “To keep up with rapid change of technology people come back for additional classes or degrees, there is a strong demand for Eastern’s programs off-campus.”

The off-campus continuing education programs have increased 25 percent in the past three years. Seventy percent of those students are women with the average age of 35, Hine said.

Debbie Meadows, schedule coordinator for the School of Continuing Education, said Eastern’s continuing education program has helped her a great deal.

Meadows, also a student at Eastern, said the variety of classes has allowed her to take on both the tasks of being a maternal figure and a student.

Classes offered on nights, weekends and online help non-traditional students balance their schedules.

“It gives me more options as an adult to work around my schedule, ” Meadows said. “Finding time is the biggest challenge for me.”

The reason for returning to college varies from person to person, either to get a degree or additional training for a job.

For Meadows, she came back to college because she wanted a career change altogether. The mother of three is now working toward her Bachelors degree but said she felt a little intimidated when she first came back.

“I feel the age difference,” said Meadows. “I’m the old girl in the class, but I’m enjoying it now.”

Hine said the School of Continuing Education continues to grow as technology increases.

As the demand for tech knowledge and education advances, so will the programs offered by the school, he said.