The Non-Traditional Student Association, NTSA, is changing the norm for college students.
Today, over half of the student body at UTM are non-traditional students. They also are full-time students that reside off campus, but generally work a full-time job. The majority of them have children and a wide range of outside responsibilities.
Sometimes the workload, for a non-traditional student, becomes overwhelming and stressful.
“The Non-Traditional Student Association of UT Martin is a support group for the non-traditionals. We are a brother and sister organization that pick up on what each one of us may need, such as babysitting and running errands while someone is studying or taking a test,” said Mayce Alloway, senior, NTSA president.
What makes one be considered a non-traditional student? A non-traditional student is someone who has been out of college for one semester or more and is returning, someone who is working 35 hours or more a week while taking college courses, someone who is paying for tuition out-of-pocket, someone who is married or has been married or someone who has a child.
“There is a lack of membership in NTSA, mainly because of the many responsibilities a non-traditional student has outside of classes,” said Alloway.
The time of the non-traditional student may be precious and valuable to them, but they still find a way to give back to the campus and community. The organization helps support one person’s GED testing each year in hopes of once they complete their testing, they will attend UTM and join NTSA becoming a good example for others.
A majority of the NTSA members graduated this past semester.
“We are down to 12 members in number, so we are working on rebuilding the organization. Our main goal for the semester is to raise enough money to fulfill the scholarships that we sponsor every year,” said Alloway.
NTSA members are career-oriented. Many of them graduate and become employed at UTM.
“It’s hard being a non-traditional student, but we are determined to make sure we all succeed. We are always here for each other in the time of need,” said Alloway.
For more information about NTSA, contact Mayce Alloway at mayrthom@ut.utm.edu or follow them on OrgSync.
