In order to assess the needs and determine the demographic, educational, employment, and enrollment characteristics of the 60-70% of the students attending Jefferson Community College (JCC) who were over 24 years of age, surveys were conducted of faculty and a random sample (N=302) of the 3,160 adult students enrolled during 1976-1977. Response rate was 70.3%. The study revealed that JCC followed national trends in increases in adult and female enrollments. Specific student characteristics focused on by the study included: age; sex; race; marital status; extent of family responsibilities; educational characteristics, such as highest degree attained, and attendance patterns (full- or part-time, day or night classes); employment and financial responsibilities, specifically no, full-, or part-time employment and other sources of financial support; reasons for returning to school; sources of influence to return to school; obstacles prior to and after enrollment; time between decision to enroll and enrollment; consideration of dropping out; persistence and performance factors in academic adjustment; number of semesters completed at JCC; faculty perceptions of adult students; and student attitudes toward JCC and its services. Sex and race variables were used to create sub-groups in the study, and other findings are expressed in these terms. Recommendations are included. (MB)