Dr. Mark Allen Poisel Vice President for Student Affairs Georgia Regents University Today’s Transfer Students: Building a Foundation of Success Transfer Symposium Appalachian State University September 13, 2013

Appalachian State’s Pathway to Student Success Transfer Symposium: A Campus Conversation about Transfer Student Success Transfer Symposium Appalachian State University

Today’s College Students Are we speaking the same language? Transfer Symposium Appalachian State University “It is a transition that deserves but rarely receives much attention from campus administrators [faculty and staff], who sometimes assume that transfer students are already acclimated to college and do not need assistance.” (Handel, 2013)

Transfer Context  Nearly 60% of students will graduate with credits from more than one institution (not all would be considered transfer students) (Adelman, 2006)  Community college to university remains the most prevalent transfer pathway (Handel, 2007)  Students who successfully transfer struggle to become familiar with a new campus (Handel, 2013) Transfer Symposium Appalachian State University

Transfers in the 21 st Century  Increasing numbers of students are coming to their first institution with credit  Students transfer multiple times  The most diverse student sub-population  Two-year and four-year institutions are expected to be accountable for transfers  The greatest challenge for institutions is serving the unique needs of these students Transfer Symposium Appalachian State University

Institutional Implications  Awareness of the role of transfer students  College readiness and secondary preparation  Regional access to higher education  Enrollment in community colleges  Student success and graduation rates  Treatment across student populations Transfer Symposium Appalachian State University

Appalachian State’s Progress  Established the Office of Transfer Articulation  Created a Transfer Advisory Board  Developed a Reverse Transfer program  Streamlined the process for Transfer Credit  Added Residential Learning Communities for transfer students  Created Jump Start Appalachian  Started the academic initiative –Writing Across the Institutions Transfer Symposium Appalachian State University

Core Values  Collaboration  Advocacy  Engagement  Success Transfer Symposium Appalachian State University

Collaboration  Build strong relationships and partnerships  Involve faculty, staff and students  Joint programming and services  Curriculum alignment Partner-> Create->Succeed Transfer Symposium Appalachian State University

Partnerships and Programs  Articulation agreements  Common syllabi and courses  Workshops and programs  Shared facilities, faculty and staff  Concurrent enrollment  Advisor workshops  Decision days and joint advisement programs  Shared curriculum guides  Presentations in CC classes and before graduation Transfer Symposium Appalachian State University “…the transfer pathway, despite the dominate view that it is primarily a community college responsibility, is an inter-institutional enterprise, the success of which depends upon the active and cooperative participation of two- and four- year institutions.” (Handel, 2013)

Advocacy  Be intentional about planning for transfers  Establish a transfer friendly environment  Develop good policies and procedures  Assess and identify their unique issues  Tell the transfer story Transfer Symposium Appalachian State University

Advocacy Initiatives  Establish a transfer success committee  Perform a campus audit of the transfer culture  Recommend specific transfer policies or procedures  Develop feedback mechanisms  Create a communication tool to highlight the successes of transfer students Transfer Symposium Appalachian State University

Engagement  Focus on student engagement  Establish a role for student leaders to serve peers  Involve faculty, staff and students  Create first-year programming Transfer Symposium Appalachian State University

Engagement Activities  Student organizations for transfers  Leadership and service programs  Peer mentoring roles  Undergraduate research opportunities  Inclusive activities and academic workshops Transfer Symposium Appalachian State University

Engagement Activities Global Learning through QEP  International Programming  Faculty and student exchanges  Study Abroad Opportunities  Faculty led Travel Courses  International Internships Transfer Symposium Appalachian State University

Success  Prepare students for transfer  Focus on the transition  Emphasize academic success  Measure student learning outcomes Transfer Symposium Appalachian State University

Programs and Services  Transfer centers  Transfer orientation and welcome week  Parent/family programs  Transfer student success seminars  Peer mentoring and ambassador programs  Financial management workshops  Veterans programs  Transfer fairs for students and their families  On-line transfer guides Transfer Symposium Appalachian State University

Transfer Student Success Transition Progression Preparation Where YOU fit in  Help students early or before they arrive  Work with them during the transition and first year  Help them graduate and move on to the next stage Transfer Symposium Appalachian State University

Focus on Transfer Students  Establish a transfer friendly environment  Learn about your students via data  Assess your culture & programs  Develop good policies and procedures  Build strong relationships and partnerships  Prepare students for transfer  Enhance student engagement Transfer Symposium Appalachian State University

Transfer Symposium: A Campus Conversation about Transfer Student Success IT TAKES A UNIVERSITY TO GRADUATE A STUDENT Transfer Symposium Appalachian State University

Discussion & Questions Transfer Symposium Appalachian State University

Questions to Consider  What impressions do you have about this session?  How can you use the information/what you learned?  What additional or new questions do you have?  Other thoughts? Transfer Symposium Appalachian State University

Contact Information Dr. Mark Allen Poisel Vice President for Student Affairs Transfer Symposium Appalachian State University