This literature review demonstrates that many working-class adult-learners continue to face challenges during their quest for new meaning in their lives. Many adults in workplace settings find themselves in environments with very little support. Consequently, adult learners rely on the academic community as their main source of emotional and academic support. Currently, many colleges do not offer adult learners effective student services and support. Research suggests a coming together of authentic college leadership is needed to meet adult learners' needs and career-oriented goals. Taken together, the availability of more college co-op programs with offerings of incremental academic and workplace achievement could effectively address adult learners' needs and concurrently contribute to the successful achievement of their academic goals. [For the complete proceedings, see ED597786.]