Dr. Mark Allen Poisel Vice President for Student Affairs Georgia Regents University

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

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

3. Today’s College Students Are we speaking the same language? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAG39jKi0lI “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 Symposium Appalachian State University

4. 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

5. 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 Symposium Appalachian State University

6. 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

7. 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

8. Core Values • Collaboration • Advocacy • Engagement • Success Transfer Symposium Appalachian State University

9. 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

10. 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 “…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) Transfer Symposium Appalachian State University

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

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

17. 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

18. Transfer Student Success Transition Where YOU fit in Preparation Progression • 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

19. 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

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

21. Discussion & Questions Transfer Symposium Appalachian State University

22. 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

23. Contact Information Dr. Mark Allen Poisel Vice President for Student Affairs mpoisel@gru.edu 706-737-1411 Transfer Symposium Appalachian State University