1. The Ultimate Road Trip: Transfer Pathways
October 18, 2017
Academic and Student Affairs
The Ultimate Road Trip: Transfer Pathways
Kim - Before we get started, I want to point out the index cards and pens on your table. Each card has one question on each side to help us understand and support your specific transfer pathway work—the first is about burning issues or questions you may have; the second is about how and where short-term funding might help. Please complete them during or at the end of the session. If time allows, we'll share some of them. If not, we'll collect them and share with you later in the form of 'answers/resolutions' or top priority ideas. If you want a personal response, please include your name and or phone. 
And now...we'll move on to the Ultimate Road Trip: Transfer Pathways
This title may or may not have been influenced by my own summer adventure.7 people, 3 tents, 1 minivan, 3,000 miles
MINNESOTA STATE

2. Kim - Transfer Pathways feels somewhere between the impatience of “Are we There Yet” and the joy of “What will we Find.”

3. Kim - We may be at that place where the snacks that looked so yummy on day one are squished between car seats or stuck to the bottom of our shoes.

4. Kim - We may even be looking in different directions to see the same things—in this case the eclipse OR the perfect combination of recommended courses.

5. Kim - I hope to remind us briefly WHY we’re here —why we started this ultimate road trip in the first place—and what’s ahead (notice the gorgeous grand tetons in the distance).
My colleagues and I are also here to guide you, promoting cheerful travel, avoiding detours, discovering the most rewarding routes, and finding balance through it all.

6. Why Did We Go on this Trip Again?
Transfer is a Big Part of What We Do
Room for Improvement
Students Should Have the Best Possible Experience
Kim - Why did we go on this trip again? I'd like to share a bit from the legislation and original plan that brought us here
Transfer is a Big Part of What We Do: In 2013, students who transferred from the system’s two-year colleges to the universities represented about one-third of all within-Minnesota State transfers. They made up about one-fifth of all transfer students. 
Room for Improvement: current transfer or articulation agreements are often limited to only a few, or even a single, university, and students are often unaware of them; students end up with redundant or extra requirements to complete their degrees, and they expect more from something we call a system
Students Should Have the Best Possible Experience: transfer pathways aim to increase the number of students completing associate degrees, which better prepare them for success as university students and result in higher rates of completion at the universities; transfer pathways can improve transfer for all students; students should be proud of both the quality and the value of a Minnesota State education 

7. Is That All? Yes, Except for the Legislative Action
Lower Costs through efficiency with credits and time
Simpler set of pathways
“Implement multi-campus articulation agreements that lead to baccalaureate degree completion upon earning the number of credits required minus 60 credits at the system university…”
Kim - Is that ALL? Yes, except for the legislative action which set forward a few basic outcomes we’re on the road to achieve
Lower costs through efficiency with credits and time—basically avoid the unintentional side roads that sometimes run students out of gas and out of cash
Simpler set of pathways--instead of a maze of hidden, single relationship articulation agreements or instead of what feels to students like ’making it up as we go along’—Clear, straightforward route from where a student begins to many possible university options
FINALLY—to use the exact language of the legislation

8. Biggest WHY of All Promise of the Greater Good
Kim - This chart was used to communicate what that might look like...with students and quality at the center
Aspirational Achievable Goals that I would like to read rapidly just to remember the intentionality behind the plan
1.1.  Students are the primary and fundamental focus of the planning process 
1.2.  Maintaining a quality education for students is the core of the transfer pathways. 
1.3.  Student success will be facilitated by the transfer pathways. 
1.4.  Pathways to baccalaureate degrees are clear and easy for students to follow. 
1.5.  Students can save money and reduce debt by eliminating the number of repeat classes required when they transfer and having a clear path to reach the baccalaureate degree. 
1.6.  Students can complete degrees in a minimum timeframe  
1.7. Student will be able to enter the workforce sooner and with less debt Transfer students who meet admission/program application requirements will be given the same opportunities/same consideration as direct entry students.
1.9. The transfer process will be streamlined for the institutions and create clarity for students.
1.10. The potential to positively impact enrollment and retention is strong. 

9. Guarantees The Promises We Made to Students
All lower-division gen ed requirements are met
Full junior status upon successful completion of pathway
Baccalaureate degree earned with number of required credits minus 60
Admitted to program if meet or exceed requirements
Experiential, clinical or applied learning experiences are specified
Students are not disadvantaged in any way by transfer
Kim - Fundamental Guarantee: Students are not disadvantage in any way by transfer

10. Examples of Campus Implementation
Saint Cloud State University
LaVonne Cornell-Swanson, Associate Provost for Faculty and Student Affairs  
Rochester Community and Technical College
Greg Mosier, Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs
Kim - Introduce

11. Transfer Pathway Implementation Project Purpose Statement
The primary purpose of the project is to design an internal process for implementing the Minnesota State-approved college transfer pathways, determining necessary curriculum revisions (if applicable), and creating new degree maps.
Lavonne -

12. Transfer Pathway Implementation Project Milestones
Milestone Date
Milestone Description
9/25/17
Identify key participants and project facilitator
Schedule process design meeting with key participants
10/12/17
Map current process
Identify process areas that need definition and consistency
Review process models from peer and aspirant institutions; identify best practices
10/12/17- 11/6/17
Draft a process to review, advance curriculum changes, and implement the transfer pathways degree map
11/7/17- 12/7/17
Gather feedback on the draft process from constituent groups
12/7/17-12/12/17
Based on feedback/input, finalize process
12/12/17
Pilot the process
ongoing
Assess effectiveness of process; revise as needed
1/12/17
Implement the process / Phase 2
Lavonne -

13. Draft 1: Decision making matrix
Hand out
Special Thanks:
Michele Mumm, MBA., EdD
Director of Academic Operations
Office of Academic Affairs
St. Cloud State University
Lavonne -

14. Transfer Pathways In Process at RCTC
Greg -

15. Tracking the Path of Others
California Community College System
California State University
California: 2010 S.B 1440 Student Transfer Achievement Reform (STAR),   "A Degree with a Guarantee"
Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) AA-T, AS-T
60 credit associate degrees
Clear transfer pathway to CSU System
Enter at Junior Status
Greg - California Community College System and California State University
Senate Bill 1440 = Student Transfer Achievement Reform (STAR)

16. Tracking the Path of Others
California Community College System
California State University
Greg - California Community College System and California State University
Senate Bill 1440 = Student Transfer Achievement Reform (STAR)

17. Tracking the Path of Others
California Community College System
California State University
Greg -
ADT AWARDS:   722  –  2,164  –  11,452  –  20,745  –  30,868

18. What We’ve Learned Along the Way
Varying perceptions of the purpose and structure of degrees exist
Students may have difficulty completing the MnTC with the transfer pathways as they are currently structured
Implementation of transfer pathways is complex and requires extended time
Marta -
Need for Goal 1 Completion in all Transfer Pathways
Varying perceptions of purpose and structure of AS and AFA degrees
MnTC Variation (courses and goal area requirements)
MnTC Inclusion in associate degrees
Mapping to ensure the transfer pathway works
Students may be transferring with the pathway as soon as spring semester 2018
Discipline determines learning outcomes, credit length

19. Highway Mirage
An Associate of Science (AS) degree requires 30 credits MnTC and 30 credits program/discipline. It prepares students to transfer to a university program OR directly enter related employment.
System Procedure: The associate of science and associate of fine arts degrees are designed to transfer in their entirety to one or more related baccalaureate degree programs. The associate of science degree requires a minimum of 30 credits selected from at least six of the ten goal areas of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum.
Kelly & Marta

20. Completion of Goal Area 1 is Critical
Mapping has revealed the need for Goal Area 1 completion in the first 60 credits
TPCT has affirmed the toolkit instructions around Goal Area 1 completion
Next steps
Louise
Toolkit
1. Academic Programs will be reviewing all programs submitted to date.
2. TPTs that do not include all goal area 1 requirements will be contacted to determine how to update the pathway to reflect the changes.
3. Be aware of this for those that are currently going through AASC.

21. Prioritization of MnTC Coursework
Completion of as many MnTC courses and Goal Areas as possible is highly recommended in the associate degree.
Ensure final 60 credits can be met at the University.
Louise –
-varying goal requirements increases challenges.
-Excess credits

22. Recalculating... Pilot Transfer Pathways
Currently Implementing Biology, Business, Psychology and Theatre
Phase 2 Transfer Pathways
University Designations Deadline – Jan. 31, 2018
Priority Review for College Program Submission – Nov. 1, 2017 – May 1, 2018
Phase 2 Pathways Implemented at Colleges – Fall 2018
Phase 3 Transfer Pathways
University Designations Deadline – Jan. 31, 2019
Priority Review for College Program Submission – Sept. 1, 2018 – May 1, 2018
Phase 3 Pathways Implemented at Colleges – Fall 2019
Kelly

23. Phasing the Journey Pilot Transfer Pathways (Currently Implementing)
Phase 2
Phase 3
Transfer pathways no longer being pursued
Biology
Accounting
Art (not yet approved)
Addiction Studies
Business
Chemistry
CAL Education
Nursing
Psychology 
Communication Studies
Criminal Justice
Health PE
Theatre
Computer Science
Early Childhood Ed.
Criminal Justice – Law Enf.
Elementary Education
Economics 
English
Exercise Science
MIS
History
Mechanical Engineering
Mass Communication
Political Science
Mathematics
Sociology
Pre-Social Work
Special Education
Spanish
Kelly

24. Communication is Key To Our Success
Communication plans must facilitate two-way communication.
Information must be accurate and shared frequently, in a timely manner
Communication must incorporate multiple modalities and be a shared responsibility of people at all levels of the enterprise
Nicole –
As we continue on this trip, we know there will be many twists and turns, dead-ends and detours. As we’ve been talking about today, we’ve already learned important lessons through implementation of the first four pilots that should inform how we move forward with additional pathways. Good communication will continue to be critical to help inform and guide us as we go.
Effective communication depends on all of us at all levels of the organization. We need to work together to ensure we have the information we need to move forward. This requires a plan for communicating information and resources, key decisions, implementation concerns and challenges, as well as campus success stories.
Plans for Communication:
Local Plans
TPCT Decisions and Feedback
System Office Operations

25. For Current Road Conditions, Tune- In To ASA Connect
Nicole –
One such mode that has recently been launched, includes ASA Connect
-ASA Connect will maintain all relevant information pertaining to Transfer Pathways, including
-Campus Implementation Resources:
-Toolkit
-Templates, crosswalks, degree designations
-Progress Updates
-Program Approvals Complete and in the Queue
-Project Updates
-Monthly project updates
-TPCT Documents

26. This is Not the End of the Road
Making transfer work for students
Four pilots are yielding important lessons that MUST inform necessary adjustments
Communication across the enterprise is key
The road ahead requires us to work together to fulfill our promises to students.
Nicole –
This may be the end of our caravan this morning, however the Transfer Pathways road trip has not yet reached it’s destination.
Our goal today was to remind us all of why we began this trip in the first place, center us around what the success of transfer pathways means to our students, provide some examples of how some campuses are approaching implementation, and update you on key takeaways from the pilot implementation.
I’m hoping that what we’ve shared with you this morning provides you with renewed energy, as well as information and resources to go back to your campuses with to continue to work on the implementation of transfer pathways.
We all look forward to continuing to work with you as we journey ahead.

27. Contact Information
Kim Lynch, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs ∙ ∙
Kelly Murtaugh, Academic Program Director ∙ ∙
Marta Mohr, Academic Program Director ∙ ∙
Louise DiCesare, System Director for Transfer ∙ ∙
Nicole Merz, ASA Project Manager ∙ ∙
Contact Information