This autoethnographic study documents the stories of two adult education faculty members' experiences when their respective academic programs were closed. We situate our stories within changes in higher education economics and two theoretical frameworks: expectancy theory and psychological contract theory. Despite our isolation as the sole faculty…

Learning from program failure hinges upon acknowledging that everybody fails and having the ability to cope. Coping techniques may include accepting blame, denying failure, analyzing failure, blaming others, talking and sharing, remaining objective, using stress management techniques, and taking another risk. (SK)

Common causes of program failure are failure to meet expectations; presentation method; lack of interaction time; failure to adhere to schedule; lack of applicable information; poor service; lack of assistance in implementing new ideas; failure to account for cultural diversity; content already known; and failure to give presenters information…

Factors affecting program participants' failure to learn as expected include (1) carelessness in details; (2) confusion over program goals; (3) lack of commitment from management, participants, or trainers; (4) lack of clarity and courage; (5) lack of cultural sensitivity; and (6) disagreement between educators and learners about what is to be…

This chapter explores the marginality of university-based degree-granting adult education programs and considers how both hopes and fears add to the discourse about the field's vitality.