Investing in adult learners: Banker turned education professor focuses on professional learning and mentoring

April 15, 2026 - 19:08

A pivotal career shift, sparked by a conversation at 30,000 feet, has positioned Kathy Peno as a leading voice in adult and professional education. Now a professor at the University of Rhode Island's Feinstein College of Education, Peno leverages her unique background in banking to prepare educators who teach adult learners in diverse settings, from literacy programs to military training and higher education.

Peno's research and teaching focus on the critical components of effective adult learning: professional development and skilled mentoring. She emphasizes that adult students bring a wealth of life experience to the classroom, requiring teaching strategies distinct from those used with traditional-aged students. Effective mentors, she argues, are not just subject-matter experts but facilitators who can connect learning directly to real-world application and career advancement.

Her work addresses a vital economic and social need, ensuring that the workforce can continuously adapt and upskill. By training the educators who guide adult learners, Peno's impact extends beyond her own classroom, fostering a culture of lifelong learning that benefits individuals, organizations, and the broader community. Her journey from the finance sector to academia underscores the value of diverse professional pathways in enriching educational practice.