1. Minnesota State Transfer Specialist Conference Friday, October 6, 2017
Creating a Soft Landing:
Understanding & Meeting the Needs of Transfer Students in their Transition to CLA
Minnesota State Transfer Specialist Conference
Friday, October 6, 2017

2. CLA Transfer Advising Team
Carmen Kurdziel – CLA Transfer Student Coordinator
Margaret Rodgers – CLA Transfer Advisor
Therese Djei – CLA Transfer Advisor
Walter Goodwin – MLK Advisor & Transfer Advisor

3. What do we do? CLA Transfer Advising Goal:
To help incoming transfer students make a soft landing into the College of Liberal Arts & The University of Minnesota
Who are our transfer students?
Fall 2016 Transfer Student Profile
What do we mean by creating a soft landing?

4. Group Discussion
What are some of the challenges that transfer students face?
What are some challenges that staff working with transfer students face?

5. Group Discussion

6. Transfer Student Concerns
Academic Adjustment
Financial Concerns
Social and Cultural Integration
Career Development
University. of Minnesota, Office of Undergraduate Education. (2015). University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Framework for the Transfer Student Initiative .

7. Strategies & Best Practices for Supporting Transfer Students
Make transfer student success a priority
Dedicate staff exclusively to transfers
Create clear programmatic pathways
Communicate clear program prerequisites and course sequences
Provide tailored transfer student advising
Clearly articulate transfer options and help students determine their interests
Replicate elements of first-year experience for transfer students
The Aspen Institute. The Transfer Playbook: Essential Practices for Two and Four Year Colleges (2016)

9. What are we doing to create a soft landing for transfer students?
Prospective Students – “I want to transfer”
Appointments, drop-in, phone and
Partnership with MCTC & St. Paul College
Power of You programs
Community College Visits
CLA Major Transfer Guides

10. What are we doing to create a soft landing for transfer students?
Confirmed Students – “I’m admitted…What’s next?”
Appointments, drop-in, phone and
Online Orientation (mandatory)
On-Campus Orientation & Registration (mandatory)
CLA Transfer Welcome Day

11. What are we doing to create a soft landing for transfer students?
New Students – “I’m here…Now what?”
CLA 3001 – Transfer Semester Experience Course (Piloted Fall 2016)
MLK Transfer Talks

12. Why we developed “TSE” - CLA 3001
Support “soft landing” throughout first semester
Provide clear mentorship during transition/adjustment
“First-year” experience but designed for transfers
Honor of range of circumstances when promoting engagement
Intentional guidance with major and career planning
Maximize limited time to graduation

13. Logistics behind TSE - CLA 3001
Collaboration in CLA and across campus
TSE committee
Online with in-person requirements
Curriculum:
adjustment
diversity
major/career planning
engagement
resources
Foster action with major/career planning and engagement

14. What we learned from our students
Surveys
Week 1
Week 9
Week 13
Focus Groups (end of the term)
2 - CLA 3001 students
1 - CLA Transfer students admitted Fall 2016

15. What we learned from our students
“Yes, I would recommend this course.”

16. What we learned from our students
“Yes, I would recommend this course.”
“Treat Us like Freshmen.”

17. What we learned from our students
“Yes, I would recommend this course.”
“Treat Us like Freshmen.”
“[I want to] Get to know people, meet new people, make friends.”

18. What we learned from our students
“Yes, I would recommend this course.”
“Treat Us like Freshmen.”
“[I want to] Get to know people, meet new people, make friends.”
Most beneficial content – resources, career week, and resumes

19. What we learned from our students
“Yes, I would recommend this course.”
“Treat Us like Freshmen.”
“[I want to] Get to know people, meet new people, make friends.”
Most beneficial content – resources, career week, and resumes
The diversity of our transfer students makes it a challenge to have a one-size fits all class.

20. Future of TSE – CLA 3001 From pilot to AY 17-18
Enhanced based on student feedback
Increased class size
Added layers of student leadership
More options to connect with fellow transfers
On campus at events
Online via Flipgrid
CLA’s Career Readiness Initiative including “SuperStrong” for all
International students: Reserved seats & funding for integration
Additional collaboration across campus

21. Questions & Your Next Steps
What do you wish you or your institution could do for transfer students?
Do you have suggestions for our CLA Transfer Advising Team?
Questions?