Dr. Mark Allen Poisel Vice President for Student Affairs

Georgia Regents University

Today’s Transfer Students: Building a Foundation

of Success

Transfer SymposiumAppalachian State UniversitySeptember 13, 2013

Appalachian State’s Pathway to Student Success

Transfer Symposium:A Campus Conversation about Transfer Student Success

Transfer SymposiumAppalachian State University

Today’s College Students

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAG39jKi0lI

Are we speaking the same language?

Transfer SymposiumAppalachian 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 SymposiumAppalachian State University

Transfers in the 21st 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 SymposiumAppalachian 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 SymposiumAppalachian 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 SymposiumAppalachian State University

Core Values

Collaboration

Advocacy

Engagement

Success

Transfer SymposiumAppalachian State University

Collaboration Build strong relationships and partnerships

Involve faculty, staff and students

Joint programming and services

Curriculum alignment

Partner-> Create->Succeed

Transfer SymposiumAppalachian 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 SymposiumAppalachian 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 SymposiumAppalachian 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 SymposiumAppalachian 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 SymposiumAppalachian State University

Engagement Activities

Student organizations for transfers

Leadership and service programs

Peer mentoring roles

Undergraduate research opportunities

Inclusive activities and academic workshops

Transfer SymposiumAppalachian State University

Engagement Activities

Global Learning through QEP

International Programming Faculty and student exchanges Study Abroad Opportunities Faculty led Travel Courses International Internships

Transfer SymposiumAppalachian State University

Success

Prepare students for transfer

Focus on the transition

Emphasize academic success

Measure student learning outcomes

Transfer SymposiumAppalachian 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 SymposiumAppalachian State University

Transfer Student Success

Transition

ProgressionPreparation

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 SymposiumAppalachian 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 SymposiumAppalachian State University

Transfer Symposium:A Campus Conversation about Transfer Student Success

IT TAKES A UNIVERSITY TO GRADUATE A STUDENT

Transfer SymposiumAppalachian State University

Discussion & Questions

Transfer SymposiumAppalachian 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 SymposiumAppalachian State University

Contact Information

Dr. Mark Allen PoiselVice President

for Student Affairsmpoisel@gru.edu

706-737-1411

Transfer SymposiumAppalachian State University