According to the National Center for Education Statistics (2002), 73 percent of undergraduate students in the United States were considered 'nontraditional'. While there is a plethora of material regarding nontraditional students, there is very little research pertaining to the nature of the relationship between the Division of Student Affairs and adult nontraditional students. Therefore, this study is seeking to explore the situational, institutional, dispositional, and informational barriers as it pertains to the relationship between student affairs administrators and adult nontraditional students at Historically Black Colleges & Universities.

A total of six individuals were interviewed for this study: three student affairs administrators and three adult nontraditional students. Data was collected by conducting face-to- face interviews and a post-interview online activity. Each interview involved semi-structured questions and were audio recorded to insure the accuracy of each interview transcription. Subsequent to the data collection process, phenomenological inquiry was used to formulate emerging themes and then through open coding and axial coding. This study was also guided by the usage of andragogy and Cross's Barriers to Participation . Each truly illuminate the needs of adult nontraditional students and defines the role of student affairs administrators as it pertains to adult nontraditional students.

The findings from this study, when compared with the literature reviewed, reveal that while student affairs administrators and adult nontraditional students perceive one another in a positive light, there is no relationship. Furthermore, the data collected during the interview process reveal that there are four common barriers that exist when pertaining to adult nontraditional students attending HBCUs. Those barriers include: situational barriers, institutional barriers, dispositional barriers, and informational barriers. In addition, this study offers recommendations for the 1 potential improvement for the division of student affairs. This study will give student affairs administrator's insight as far as the feelings of adult nontraditional students, while also challenging them to examine their common practices in order meet the needs of all students.