Chapter 5: What’s a “Non-Trad” and are they Dangerous?

In the United States, college is not simply the continuation of education after high school graduation or a way to acquire a degree. College has evolved (with the help of popular culture and various forms of media) into an idealistic experience, typically pursued by individuals in pursuit of the American dream. When considering the experiences of college students there are a few demographics typically considered; gender identity, the presence of a high school diploma, and maybe even the distance between the college and the student’s hometown come to mind. One demographic of students that are often overlooked and underrepresented is non-traditional students, often referred to as non-trad.