nists 15th annual conference program, feb.15-17, 2017, loews atlanta hotel

A T L A N T A , G E O R G I A | F E B R U A R Y 1 5 - 1 7 , 2 0 1 7

A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E

T R A N S F E R S T U D E N T S

of the

National Institute for the Study of

15th

2 • NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF TRANSFER STUDENTS | #NISTSCON2017

ScheduleT I M E E V E N T L O C A T I O N

All conference activities are on the C Level of the Loews Atlanta Hotel

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Registration Open Ellington Ballroom Pre-function Area

9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Pre-Conference Workshops See pages 8 - 10

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Box Lunches for pre-conference participants

2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Opening Session: Adapting in a Ellington Ballroom Changing Higher Education Landscape

3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Concurrent Session I See page 14

4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Networking Break with Sponsors Ellington Ballroom Pre-function Area

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Concurrent Session II See page 16

6:15 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Reception & Poster Presentations Overlook East & West

7:30 p.m. Dinner on Your Own

Thursday, February 16, 2017


7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast Ellington Ballroom Pre-function Area

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Plenary Session: Panel Discussion - Ellington Ballroom

Communicating across Campus and Beyond to Support Transfer Students

East Los Angeles College

9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Concurrent Session III See page 24

10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Networking Break with Sponsors Ellington Ballroom Pre-function Area

11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Concurrent Session IV See page 26

12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Networking Lunch Overlook East & West

1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Transfer Student Ambassadors Panel Ellington Ballroom

Moderator, Dantrayl Smith, Assistant Director

of Transfer Student Services, The University of Texas at Arlington

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Concurrent Session V See pages 29 - 30

4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Networking Break with Sponsors Ellington Ballroom Pre-function Area

4:30 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. Focus on Transfer Research Ellington Ballroom

5:45 p.m. Dinner on Your Own See Dining Suggestions in Conference Bag

Friday, February 17, 2017


8:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Breakfast Plenary Session Ellington Ballroom

Panel Discussion: Influencing Statewide Policy

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Concurrent Session VI See pages 38 - 39

11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Networking Beverage Break Ellington Ballroom Pre-function Area

11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Concurrent Session VII See pages 40 - 41

12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Closing Session Ellington Ballroom

WelcomeDear Colleagues,

Welcome to Atlanta and the 15th Annual Conference of the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students!

The past fifteen years have represented a great deal of progress in the world of transfer. The stigma related to transfer is being challenged. Community colleges are receiving due recognition for their vital role in educating and preparing students to transfer and successfully earn bachelor’s degrees. States and national leaders are joining forces to remove policy barriers that complicate transfer. Foundations are providing funds to study and improve transfer. Transfer is being discussed earlier, in our high schools, as a viable pathway to collegiate success. Transfer students are being valued for their contributions to campus communities. And more institutions are committing resources to support professional development for transfer professionals, as evidenced by the sustained growth of this conference.

We celebrate this success, while also acknowledging the enduring challenges to collegiate transfer that will keep us engaged in this work for the next fifteen years. The transfer process is difficult to standardize due to unique individual and institutional circumstances. Working with transfer students is a time-consuming endeavor. Transfer requires committed collaboration to develop clear academic pathways between institutions. Many transfers are first generation college students with little context for navigating the complexities of transfer. Successful transfer practices are reliant upon engaged institutional partners. Limited resources force institutions to make difficult financial allocations. In spite of these challenges, your good work continues to make a difference and NISTS is proud to provide a platform for challenging the status quo and improving the lives of transfer students.

One of the joys of coming to this conference is being with others who share your commitment to serving on behalf of transfer students. Every year, the collective energy of our conference participants is truly palpable. The challenge for each of you becomes bridging your conference experience with your everyday work. As the transfer mission grows at your institution or organization, I urge you to be a catalyst for change. Take what you learn from this conference and inspire others to put new ideas into practice. Be the voice that consistently includes transfer students and their issues in the conversation, or more importantly, as a vital part of strategic planning and goal-setting endeavors. Identify barriers to the transfer process and work to reduce them. Be diligent about supporting your transfer stories with data and finding ways to connect the significance of transfer to the priorities of your colleagues.

Enjoy your time at the conference. May your find inspiration and renewal through interacting with and learning from one another.

Sincerely,

Janet L. Marling, Ph.D.Executive Director, National Institute for the Study of Transfer StudentsVice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management, University of North Georgia

Table of contents

NISTS Staff, Board & Affiliates .....4

About NISTS ................................5

Award Winners ............................6

Preconference Workshops ...........8

Opening Session .......................12

Concurrent Session I ..................14

Concurrent Session II .................16

Opening Reception ..................18and Poster Presentations

Plenary Session ..........................22

Concurrent Session III ................24

Concurrent Session IV ...............26

Plenary Session ..........................28

Concurrent Session V ................29

Focus on Transfer Research .......32

Breakfast Plenary Session ..........36

Concurrent Session VI ...............38

Concurrent Session VII ..............40

Closing Session .........................41

Educational Partners ..................42

Conference Sponsors ................43

Hotel Diagram ...........................45

FEBRUARY 2017 • ATLANTA, GA • 3


NISTS ADVISORY BOARD

NISTS AFFILIATES

NISTS STAFF

Welcome

Janet L. MarlingExecutive Director

Vincent PriorNISTS AffiliateCoordinator of Transfer and Transition Programs, Orientation and Transition Programs, University of North Georgia

Lara DeBloisOffice Administrator

Marc CutrightNISTS Research DirectorAssociate Professor, Higher Education AdministrationUniversity of North Texas

Judith T. BrauerAssociateDirector

Jan HillmanNISTS CAS Board of Directors Affiliate

Andrew CruzStudent Staff

Kristin CisewskiStudent Staff

Brianna MoringStudent Staff

Bonita C. JacobsPresident, University of North GeorgiaNISTS Founder & Senior Fellow

Trudy BersPresident, The Bers Group

Alfred Herrera Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Partnerships, Center for Community College Partnerships, UCLA

Mark Allen Poisel Vice President for Enrollment and Student Affairs, Augusta University

Barbara Tobolowsky Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, University of Texas at Arlington

Stephen J. HandelAssociate Vice President, Undergraduate AdmissionsUniversity of California, Office of the President

Betsy Q. GriffinSenior Associate Vice President, John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education

Toyia K. Younger Vice President Leadership Development and Membership Services,American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU)

James D. Mantooth Executive Director of Enrollment Services and Student Engagement, University of Tennessee at Martin

Dimpal JainAssistant Professor, Educational Leadership and Policy StudiesCalifornia State University, Northridge

Rose RojasDistrict Director Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation Maricopa Community College District


About NISTSThe National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS) exists to improve the lives of transfer students. Through research, education, and service, we support professionals who directly serve transfer students, as well as those who create transfer policy and conduct transfer-related research. NISTS bridges knowledge, policies, and practice by bringing together a wide range of stakeholders to explore the issues related to the transfer process in order to facilitate student success and degree completion. We partner with two- and four-year institutions, state agencies, higher education associations, foundations, and others committed to transfer student success.

NISTS was founded in 2002 by Dr. Bonita C. Jacobs in response to a lack of professional development opportunities and research literature focused specifically on transfer students. In 2003, NISTS held our inaugural conference at the University of North Texas with 300 attendees from over 30 higher education institutions and 32 states. Since then, the conference has grown to nearly 500 attendees from over 200 institutions representing 38 states and two provinces in Canada.

Since our first conference fifteen years ago, NISTS has encouraged the national conversation about transfer students in many ways. In 2006, NISTS began offering grants to support transfer-related research, and in 2010 we introduced and awarded the first Barbara K. Townsend Dissertation of the Year Award. In 2013, we introduced another opportunity to recognize outstanding transfer professionals with the inaugural Bonita C. Jacobs Transfer Champions Award. We are excited to establish these awards as an integral part of our conference.

In addition to award recognition, NISTS also offers exclusive access to members-only resources, including institute research and conference proceedings as well as related policy information, a newsletter, discounts for NISTS professional development events, and more through our membership organization, the Association for the Study of Transfer Students (ASTS).

Access exclusive members-only content, including newsletters, webinars, discounts

and community discussion at www.transferinstitute.org/ASTS

�e Association for the Study of Transfer Students is the professional organization for the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students, and the only association exclusively dedicated to promoting transfer student success, advancing transfer research and facilitating partnerships to enhance transfer.

ASTS reaches across departmental and divisional responsibilities and beyond institutional boundaries.

Membership is encouraged for:• Higher education professionals charged with

providing programs and services to facilitate transfer student success

• Higher education faculty dedicated to the pursuit of transfer student research and success

• Higher education administrators committed to ensuring transfer student success

• State and national agency representatives interested in increased transfer student success and degree attainment

Members receive access to exclusive content and more. �e bene�ts of membership with ASTS include access to exclusive members-only content, including webinars, community discussions, event discounts, ASTS newsletters highlighting current standards and transfer student perspectives, and more.

Applying for membership is easy. As a registered attendee of the 15th Annual NISTS Conference, you were credited with a complimentary one-year membership. If you would like to join, but were not a registered attendee, visit our website at www.transferinstitute.org/ASTS or contact us at [email protected] or (706)864-1579.

BONITA C. JACOBS

Charlene Stinard has served transfer students for over 28 years. Before retiring as the Director of Transfer Services at the University of Central Florida (UCF), Charlene worked tirelessly on behalf of transfer students in central Florida. She developed articulation agreements and partnerships, both within and outside of UCF, to promote pathways to academic success. She also created a nationally recognized peer mentor program and the university’s first Transfer Experience Committee to promote campus-wide collaboration in support of transfer students, building a lasting culture of transfer-student support.

A major focus of Charlene’s efforts on campus was to create the most seamless pathway possible for incoming and enrolled transfer students. Her programming initiatives were focused on the retention, success, and graduation of transfer students at a campus that enrolled over 13,000 transfer students annually. Charlene worked closely with students to develop the transfer peer model, a series of student success workshops, an improved website, and resources for students prior to, during, and after transfer.

Charlene has made a difference in many students’ lives. Some of her students and peer mentors went on to work in the field of higher education focusing on transfer student advising and success. Many students directly attribute their success in college to Charlene’s effort and personal attention. Charlene was never just an administrator. She was an advisor to transfer students and was always willing to spend time directly helping students. In addition, Charlene worked unconventional hours to accommodate non-traditional and working transfer students.

The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), recognized her work in 2005 when she was named the Bronze winner for the NASPA Excellence Award.

Charlene Stinard holds a master’s degree in political theory from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from SUNY New Paltz. She was nominated by DeLaine Priest, Associate VP of Student Development and Enrollment Services at the University of Central Florida; Dr. Mark Allen Poisel, VP for Enrollment and Student Affairs at Augusta University; and Dr. Sonya Joseph, VP for Student Affairs at Valencia College. “The transfer-friendly culture [at the University of Central Florida] continues to thrive due to the framework she established and the legacy Charlene left,” Dr. Joseph wrote. “I believe the Direct Connect partnership [between Valencia and UCF] is so successful due in part to the work Charlene did to establish relationships with college partners.”

The Bonita C. Jacobs Transfer Champion Award is given in recognition of an individual who has demonstrated exceptional advocacy and leadership in the development and implementation of transfer-focused programs, policies, or research and whose efforts have made a significant contribution to the improvement of transfer student access, persistence, and success.

T R A N S F E R C H A M P I O N A W A R D

Do you know a Transfer Champion?

Visit the NISTS website, transferinstitute.org, for information about nominating a transfer professional for the Bonita C. Jacobs Transfer Champion Award.

The nomination deadline is in early September.



Kathy Silberman is the Transfer Project Coordinator at one of the largest community college districts in the nation, Maricopa Community Colleges in Tempe, Arizona. Kathy has created

robust structures and systems to facilitate genuine and ongoing relationships between community college and university faculty and staff. She proactively identifies areas in need of improvement, and convenes workgroups that result in improved transfer tools to better serve students. One of her nominators states, “She re-shaped the way we presented our material which resulted in a complete overhaul of our electronic transfer guide. Kathy continues to facilitate conversations within Maricopa each year to review and update course articulation to keep the information current.” Kathy began her work with postsecondary students as a student services specialist at Mesa Community College. She holds a master’s degree in elementary education.

Carmen Robinson is the Assistant Dean for Student Services for the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Among her accomplishments, Carmen instituted a transfer student orientation for her academic college focused on the needs of the nontraditional student and was held in the evening to accommodate

student schedules. When a university-wide student success plan was being drafted, Carmen was tapped for the steering committee and to lead a group researching the needs of transfer and nontraditional students. Carmen began her career at Pulaski Technical College, a two-year community college in Little Rock. She received her doctorate in education, with a focus on higher education administration. Her dissertation focused on the transfer population in the State of Arkansas.

Maria Campanella is the Director of Student Services for the Health Sciences Office at Stony Brook University, part of the State University of New York system. Before

joining Stony Brook in the fall of 2016, Maria was the founding director of the Transfer Student Services Center at Brooklyn College—CUNY, where she spent four years changing the culture around transfer. “Maria’s commitment to the transfer student does not end with admission and enrollment—she has implemented several measures to assess student satisfaction,” one of her many supporters wrote. Maria began her higher education career 19 years ago as an Academic Counselor and Transfer Coordinator at the Post Campus of Long Island University. She holds master’s degrees in psychology and health education.

Rajan Shore is the Transfer Program Coordinator at Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave, Virginia. She is known as a fierce advocate for transfer students. A faculty member writes, “Her visionary commitment has invigorated our whole campus – making college transfer success a chief academic priority.” And another nominator states, “Under Rajan’s

leadership, the needs of transfer students have been elevated on campus. This shift in culture has resulted in greater transfer student retention and success. She has helped create a vision for transfer student success at the College. It is her dedication and expertise that has resulted in the college embracing a model transfer support program.” Rajan holds a master’s degree in Counseling and Student Services.

Artis Gordon is the Director of the Transfer Center at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, Virginia. During his tenure, Artis grew this office of

two to eight faculty, staff, and student workers who support the up to 3,000 new transfer students at VCU annually. One nominator writes, “His advocacy and support of transfer students over the past ten years has transformed the way Virginia Commonwealth University serves students.” Artis designed and implemented the Transitional Leaders, Transfer Student Peer Mentor program, as well as starting a chapter of Tau Sigma National Honor Society. He also led the creation and continued implementation and improvement of a web-based Course Equivalency Table. And, he designed the curriculum for a transfer student success course, which he regularly teaches. Finally, Artis is committed to using data to evaluate and improve transfer student support programs. In 2014, the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) recognized the VCU Transfer Center with the Outstanding Institutional Advising Program Award. Artis holds a master’s degree in sport leadership.

Bonita C. Jacobs Transfer Champion Award

Mid-Career

Bonita C. Jacobs Transfer Champion Award

Rising Star


Preconference WorkshopsRavinia

New Transfer Professionals: Navigating, Negotiating, and Networking

As the national college completion spotlight shines brightly on transfer student populations, the professionals who serve them are being asked to do more. Some of these individuals have worked in transfer for years, while others are being asked to navigate uncharted territory on campuses just beginning to take an interest in transfer. This workshop targets professionals new to transfer and those interested in learning more about other functional areas within transfer. It serves as a comprehensive examination of the state of transfer and facilitating transfer student success.

Designed to be a combination of education, application, and networking, this workshop will:

• Provide an overview of transfer terminology, populations, and migration patterns• Examine attributes of transfer-friendly institutional cultures• Explore articulation and inter-institutional collaboration• Introduce promising transfer practices and critical research reports• Examine state and institutional transfer policies• Assist participants to better define their role as transfer professionals and advocates• Provide guidance on how best to navigate the full conference and future professional development opportunities

Janet L. Marling, Executive Director, National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students; Vice President of Student Affairs, University of North GeorgiaJames D. Mantooth, Executive Director of Enrollment Services and Student Engagement, University of Tennessee at Martin, NISTS Advisory Board

Piedmont

Creating Successful Transitions: The Transfer Orientation Experience

(Sponsored by the Transfer Services Network of NODA – Association for Orientation, Transition, and Retention in Higher Education)

Transfers come to college with an array of interests, needs, life experiences and motives. A supportive and specialized orientation experience is the foundation for their ongoing success and persistence. This presentation will highlight current research and best practices to enable you to take away the necessary foundations to build a transfer orientation experience for your respective institution.

This workshop is designed to:

• Briefly highlight the important trends and current issues of transfer students on college campuses including student orientation and engagement• Present components of a successful transfer orientation experience to enable participants to devise their own unique program• Provide a forum for conversation surrounding transfer students including best practices, current trends, and transfer student needs• Discuss opportunities to engage special populations, including parents and families, nontraditional students, and returning veteran students• Allow participants the opportunity to network with other higher education professionals

Taylor Kamin, Director of Transfer Orientation, Auburn University; Co-chair, Transfer Services Network of NODAJonathan Fries, Assistant Director of First-Year Programs at Lynchburg College; Co-chair, Transfer Services Network of NODA


Preconference Workshops WEDNESDAY, FEB. 15 • 9:00 AM-12:30 PM

Inman

The Transfer Advising Continuum: Pre-Advising to Successful Student

Defining the characteristics and trends of transfer students is a well-researched topic, but challenges and unanswered questions remain regarding how to successfully advise this population of students. Additionally, more freshmen applicants are bringing in transfer credit blurring the lines between transfer students and students with transfer credit. To further complicate matters, campuses often lack a centralized resource for transfer students, their advisors, and other stakeholders. This workshop is intended for professionals who advise transfer students from pre-transfer through enrollment, as well as administrators and others who are interested in developing a centralized hub to support transfer students.

Through this workshop, participants will:

• Learn about challenges advisors face during pre-transfer and strategies to help ease students’ transition to your institution.• Utilize data to create “buy-in” among key transfer stakeholders on campus and the positive effect this process can have on the transfer advising experience.• Understand how pre-advising students (before matriculation) through a centralized resource can boost recruitment and advising initiatives.• Share best practices for advising both transfer students and students with transfer credit. (What questions are we asking, and what questions should we be asking?)• Understand how the Washington State University Transfer Clearinghouse was created, challenges that were faced, and action steps to build a center on your home campus. • Create a proactive and educational approach to the articulation of credit and its application to degree requirements.

Sara Ackerson, Academic and Student Success Advisor, Washington State UniversitySusan Poch, Assistant Vice Provost Office of Undergraduate Education, Director of Transfer Clearinghouse, Washington State UniversityWaylon Safranski, Assistant Director, Transfer Clearinghouse, Washington State University

Dunwoody

Leading and Communicating Effectively: The Ever-Changing Tide of Transfer

This workshop is designed for transfer professionals in leadership positions (associate director/director level or above) who are seeking to influence change on their campus. In the context of shrinking resources, it is essential for leaders to create and implement strategic action and communication plans related to transfer student services.

This workshop will provide you with tools to effectively:

• Describe the specific transfer students on your campus• Document the ways you support them• Identify the resources needed to support transfer students• Demonstrate how this work is essential to achieving institutional goals for recruitment, retention, and graduation

Specific strategies and examples will be shared to equip you to develop a plan to lead resource development and to influence change on your campus. Through the use of effective data gathering, you will learn how to tell the “Story of Transfer” on your campus.

As a result of the workshop, participants will:

• Learn data gathering techniques to answer crucial planning questions• Identify the initial stages for developing a Strategic Transfer Student Plan• Develop an effective communication strategy for internal and external constituents

Mark Allen Poisel, Vice President for Enrollment and Student Affairs, Augusta University; NISTS Advisory Board

Ardmore

Undergraduate Success for Underrepresented Students

Research suggests that one way to address concerns about low completion rates of underrepresented students is to examine the educational path of transfer students. In recent years, we have seen an increase in the number of underrepresented students attending multiple institutions.

Some have argued that “given the underrepresentation of minorities in the share of baccalaureate degrees earned and that earning the bachelor’s degree is to a large extent contingent on minorities successfully transferring from two to four year institutions, the imperative to increase transfer rates of minority students should indeed be a national concern” (Rendon & Garza, 1996).

Join us to examine best practices at both community colleges and public universities in an effort to identify and understand factors contributing to the success and degree completion of underrepresented students who transfer from community colleges to four-year institutions. This session will be interactive and we will talk about challenges and suggestions for serving underrepresented students at both community colleges and four-year institutions.

Preconference Workshops WED., FEB. 15 • 9:00 AM-12:30 PM

The presenters will discuss case studies, program reviews, and best practices from several institutions to show how specific support services can help underrepresented students make a seamless transition, achieve at high levels, and ultimately attain a baccalaureate degree.

This workshop is designed to help participants:

• Understand the challenges underrepresented students face in making the transition from a two-year institution to a four-year institution• Identify specific strategies to help underrepresented students • Learn from best practices and support programs geared toward underrepresented populations

Toyia Younger, Vice President Leadership Development and Membership Services,American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU)Alfred Herrera, Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Partnerships, Center for Community College Partnerships, UCLA, NISTS Advisory Board

12 • NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF TRANSFER STUDENTS

Opening Session

Adapting in a Changing Higher Education Landscape

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 15 • 2:00 PM

| #NISTSCON2017

Please join us in recognizing the recipients of the Bonita C. Jacobs Transfer Champion Award during the Opening Session.

Joshua Wyner is founder and Executive Director of the College Excellence Program at the Aspen Institute, where he also serves as a Vice President. The Program aims to advance higher education practices, policies and leadership that significantly improve student outcomes, including several that relate directly to the college presidency. Josh has spent the past two decades initiating organizations aimed at improving and equalizing educational outcomes. He has authored numerous publications about education, including a book, What Excellent Community Colleges Do: Preparing All Students for Success (Harvard Education Press, 2014). He has a B.A. from Vassar College, a MPA from Syracuse University, and a J.D. from New York University School of Law.

Ellington Ballroom


Ellington Ballroom


Concurrent I

Academic Advising

Community CollegeAA CC

Salon H

The Transition Experiences of Adult Students from an On-Campus Program at a Two-Year College to an Online Bachelor’s Program

With increased availability of online bachelor’s degrees, many adult students are making the transition from a face-to-face two-year college to an online degree offered at a four-year institution. The purpose of this session is to discuss specific concerns identified by adult transfer students as important in this transition process. This session will include a presentation of the research, interactive discussion, and introduction of best practices based on research outcomes.

Jennifer Saxton, Instructor of Professional Studies, Arkansas Tech University

Jeremy Schwehm, Assistant Professor, Arkansas Tech University

Salon A

Pathway to an Affordable Engineering Education

Learn how Texas A&M University is partnering with two-year institutions to provide an affordable avenue to an engineering degree. Through the Texas A&M-Chevron Engineering Academies students co-enroll and take coursework on a two-year campus before transferring to Texas A&M’s main campus to complete an engineering bachelor’s degree. These high-achieving, diverse engineering students are vital to Texas A&M’s mission of meeting the current and projected need for engineers in Texas and beyond. Presenters will discuss key components of the program and how they could be implemented on other campuses.

Jon Buchanan, Associate Director of Engineering Academies, Texas A&M University

Brandie Eneks, Senior Associate Director of Admissions, Texas A&M University

Salon I

Maximizing Transfer Student Transitions and Success in the Classroom

This interactive session will describe the curricular approaches that two institutions have taken to help transfer students navigate social and academic transitions. The presenters will share descriptions of the syllabi, assignments, assessments, and activities in their transfer student seminars. Participants will leave the session with resources to develop specialized courses aimed at improving transfer student transition and success.

Stephanie Foote, Professor of Education and Director, Master of Science in First-Year Studies, Kennesaw State University

Thomas J. Grites, Assistant Provost, Stockton University

Salon G

Multiple Options for Optimum Results: Effective and Efficient Transfer Pathways

Discover what it takes to create effective transfer partnerships between two and four year colleges. Learn about student success strategies developed by three Ohio institutions — Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland State University, and Baldwin Wallace University. Examine dual admission and articulation agreements, and learn about the important role of pre-transfer planning services, including Gradfest events, advising appointments, college tours, and unofficial academic reviews.

Kimberly Liddell, Campus Director, Enrollment Center, Cuyahoga Community College

Becky Barnes, District Director, Transfer, Articulation, and Prior Learning, Cuyahoga Community College

Janna Whitaker, Associate Director of Admissions, Baldwin Wallace University

Joe Vainner, Coordinator, Special Populations, Cleveland State University

AACR

TPTP EMEM O&TP

O&TP

O&TP

STEMCC


WEDNESDAY, FEB. 15 • 3:30-4:30 PM

Current Research

Transfer Policy

Enrollment Management

Orientation & Transition Programs

STEM Transfer Programs & Student SuccessCR TPEM STEMO&TP

Dunwoody

Transfer in Transition: Research and Perspectives from the College Admission Counseling Community

The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) is an organization of more than 15,000 professionals from around the world dedicated to serving students as they make choices about pursuing postsecondary education. NACAC’s Statement of Principles of Good Practice (SPGP) strives to maintain high standards of integrity and practice and to foster ethical and social responsibility among its members to better serve students. Attend this session to learn more about NACAC’s role in the professional community and forthcoming changes to NACAC’s SPGP around transfer. The latest NACAC research on transfer trends in admission and recommendations from NACAC’s Transfer Advisory Committee will also be shared.

Kim Johnston, Director of Membership and Affiliate Relations, National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)

Heather Durosko, Senior Manager of Strategic Initiatives, National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)

Salon B

The Impact of Free Community College on Transfer Student Advising

In fall 2015, Tennessee launched a last-dollar scholarship program, Tennessee Promise, offering tuition-free associate degrees for students entering participating institutions. Presenters will share findings from a study of five public institutions in Tennessee, investigating the proactive changes they are implementing in transfer student academic advising in light of Tennessee Promise’s anticipated impact. Learn what academic advisers can do now to prepare for a greater number of transfer students as a result of the free community college movement.

Teresa Clark, Assistant Professor, Murray State University

Ben Littlepage, Coordinator and Assistant Professor, Murray State University

Randal H. Wilson, Director, Doctor of Education in P-20 and Community Leadership, Murray State University

Salon C

Mining for Gold (Standards) – Who’s Doing What in the World of Transfer?

Transfer practitioners are constantly searching for best practices, good data, and funding opportunities to develop student success initiatives for their institutional context. This presentation, based on a national environmental scan by the John N. Gardner Institute, will offer a broad overview of organizations nationwide involved with various transfer programs and funding initiatives. Attendees will have the opportunity to share their own knowledge about what works at their campuses and offer suggestions on the future direction of transfer.

Michael J. Rosenberg Technical Consultant for Transfer, John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education

Betsy Griffin Vice President and Resident Scholar, John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education NISTS Advisory Board Member

AATP CR

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NetworkingBreak

4:30-5:00 PM

TPCR EM

Ellington Ballroom Pre-Function Area


Concurrent II

Academic Advising


Salon H

Online Orientations: Increasing Transfer Student Preparedness

This session features a discussion and demonstration of University of Washington’s orientation platform. Learn about the strategies and goals behind the development, including a description of the development process and how they tailored this customized application to the needs and expectations of transfer students. Attendees will be given a tour of the platform and be able to ask questions to learn how to adapt this system at their institution.

Ali Albrecht, Senior Program Manager, First Year Programs; Transfer Initiative Manager, University of Washington

Sam Swingle, CEO, Advantage Design Group

Salon A

Every Transfer Student Has a Story- Are You Listening?

This session will focus on the importance of the transfer student story and why students choose to attend a specific four-year institution. We already know that students consider things like cost, geography, and programs, but what about their cultural background, socioeconomic status, or personal beliefs / values. Which factors and dynamics lead to a student feeling supported or disenfranchised from a four-year university? This session will explore the factors that shape the transfer student experience.

Heather Rondeau, Senior Admissions Counselor, Transfer Coordinator, University of Minnesota Duluth

Salon I

Unpacking the Transfer Playbook: How Colleges Can Improve Transfer Outcomes

This session will highlight effective transfer practices based on national fieldwork at more than a dozen two- and four-year institutions identified as very successful in helping community college students transfer and complete bachelor’s degrees using National Student Clearinghouse data. Drawing from the recently published Transfer Playbook, we will share findings and feature new tools to help colleges measurably improve their transfer outcomes.

John Fink, Research Associate, Community College Research Center, Teachers College - Columbia University

Erin Knepler, Associate Director, Higher Education & Workforce Programs Public Agenda

Antonio Diep, Associate, Higher Education & Workforce Programs Public Agenda

Salon G

Transfer Pipeline: Awarding and Transferring Credit for Non-Collegiate Learning

By recognizing learning acquired outside of the classroom, institutions can identify motivated students who are interested in transfer opportunities. Attend this session to learn about the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS), and hear from one of its member organizations, the Childcare Education Institute (CCEI). Learn how CCEI helps its students access higher education and how they have developed articulation agreements with numerous institutions utilizing NCCRS credit recommendations.

Lisa Sax Mahoney, Director, National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS)

Kimberle Collins, Director of Operations, ChildCare Education Institute

AACR TP

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O&TP

O&TP

AATP

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Current Research

Transfer Policy




Salon B

Transfer Trends and Best Practices with Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

In a recent study of more than 14,000 members, the Phi Theta Kappa student success rate was four times the national average. The College Relations team at Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society works to create pathways of recognition and opportunities for four-year college enrollment professionals to connect with the nation’s highest-achieving community college transfer students. Learn more about these students and hear from seasoned four-year college transfer recruiters and the resources they are using to meet their enrollment goals.

Christin Grissom, Director of Scholarship Operations, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

Sarah Reynolds, Associate Director of College & Transfer Relations, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

Salon C

Creating a Strategic Network to Build a Better Transfer Student Experience

Learn how the Office of Transfer and Articulation Services at the Dallas County Community College District has developed a strategic network among faculty and student services staff at both colleges and universities. Presenters will share strategies for establishing collaborative relationships to improve the transfer student experience. Key approaches they will discuss include: the transfer liaison model, an articulation system with faculty, and colloquium to develop a standardized pathway from high school to community colleges to universities.

Jackie Glee, Coordinator, Transfer and Articulation Services, Dallas County Community College District

Michelle Hurdle, Transfer Admissions Coordinator, University of North Texas at Dallas

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Transcending the Transition: Mentoring Programs for Transfer Student Success

Join this session for a research-based discussion on the positive impact of mentoring programs on transfer students’ transition experience. The presenter will discuss the Transfer Connections mentoring program at the University of Michigan. This program is an example of an intentional mentoring program to ease transfer students’ transition and increase their chances for success. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss similar systems of support and strategies that have worked at their institutions

Ayeza Siddiqi, Assistant Director, Office of New Student Programs/Transfer Connections Program Director, University of Michigan

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Social Connectivity and the Reduction of ‘Transfer Shock’

Efforts to enhance the success of transfer students typically include support mechanisms ranging from academic bridge programs, research and enrichment experiences, and the provision of scholarships. Our work with STEM transfers used all of these strategies with notable effect, yet qualitative measures identified social facilitation as a critical determining factor. Targeting researchers and practitioners concerned with understanding and ameliorating the community college to four-year ‘transfer shock’, we adopt a social network approach to assessing connectivity.

Moira J. van Staaden, Professor, Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University Anne Bullerjahn, Professor, Science Owens Community College Aliaksandr Pautsina, Post-doctoral Research Associate, Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University

Student Success Courses and Peer Mentoring on Transfer Students’ Grades

This poster highlights research that examined the impact of peer educators and student success courses on transfer students’ grades at the University of California, Riverside. Transfer students that utilized these resources had significantly higher grades than transfer students who did not. Presenters of this poster will discuss the specific programming, resources, and support provided to students.

Erika Perez Aguilar, CHASS Transfer Outreach Program Coordinator, University of California, Riverside Julienne A. Palbusa, Researcher of Evaluation and Assessment, CHASS F1RST: First Year Programs, University of California, Riverside Geoff Cohen, Director, CHASS F1RST: First Year Programs, University of California, Riverside

Bigger, Faster, Stronger: Employing Technology to Increase Articulation Effectiveness

Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, Western Carolina University has developed a 21st-century technology-based transfer business process, increasing consistencies in awarding transfer credits and the number of transcripts articulated beginning with incoming students for the 2016-2017 academic year. Lead Transfer Articulation Specialists describe how they use image processing software and the student information system to decrease the time between students applying to this university and the articulation of transfer credits.

Amelia Schlott, Senior Assistant Registrar, Western Carolina University April D. Hicks, Transfer Articulation Coordinator, Western Carolina University

Undergraduate Research and Community College Transfer Students

Community college students who transfer to a research institution often face a series of unique challenges, especially related to engagement and retention. Students from traditionally underrepresented groups who enroll in STEM majors face additional challenges and are more likely to change majors before graduation. This poster examines the perceptions of participants in the National Institute of Health funded Bridges to the Baccalaureate program at Virginia Tech.

Denise Young, Transition and Student Success Coordinator, Virginia Tech

Making Space for Transfer Students in Makerspaces

This poster examines the perception and use of maker spaces among newly enrolled students at Appalachian State University. Makerspaces are finding a home in academic libraries. Previous research has focused on barriers to participation among women and minority students, but transfer students also find themselves in circumstances that may uniquely discourage them from using maker spaces. Marketing strategies that target transfer students can more widely promote interest in STEM fields. Emphasizing makerspaces as fun, creative, no-pressure environments for making and tinkering is thus a win-win for libraries and administrators pursuing transfer student success.

Scott Goldstein, Web Librarian, Appalachian State University

How ACT/SAT Testing Requirements Deter Community College Transfer Applicants

ACT and SAT standardized testing is designed to measure high school students’ college readiness. Yet, many highly selective four-year universities require community college transfer applicants to submit ACT or SAT scores, even if they did not take these tests during high school. Semi-structured interviews suggest ACT/SAT transfer requirements deter minority community college students from applying to test-mandatory four-year universities. Deterrents include financial, time, age, and selectivity barriers.

David Nguyen, Undergraduate Student, UCLA

Academic Advising


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Living With Technology- Enabled Transfer Student Systems …A Year Later

The University of Waterloo has leveraged technology to simplify activities related to transfer credits and agreements. A database that tracks and monitors transfer credit assessments ensures timely transfer credit assessments. The database also helps inform decision-making for new and revised policies related to transfer credit. In addition, a customer relationship management tool helps Waterloo effectively and efficiently maintain articulation agreements by automating activities such as renewal prompts and improving search ability.

Heather O’Leary, Manager, College & University Partnerships, University of Waterloo Scott O’Neill, Associate Director MUR/Director International, University of Waterloo

Patching the Pipeline: a Scholarship and Enrichment Program for Associate Degree Transfer Students in the Sciences

Our “Patching the Pipeline” project is an NSF-funded scholarship and enrichment program for associate-degree transfer students pursuing B.S. degrees in the sciences. Our 12-step program is designed to systematically investigate support mechanisms thought to remediate this difficult transition, including scholarships, academic advising, experiential learning opportunities, and mentorship. Our results suggest methods of “patching the pipeline” that are applicable to facilitating the success of transfer students in any discipline.

Jennifer Louten, Associate Professor, Biology, Kennesaw State University Rajnish Singh, Associate Professor, Chemistry, Kennesaw State University Matthew Weand, Associate Professor, Biology, Kennesaw State University Philip Patterson, Associate Professor, Physics, Kennesaw State University

Creating a Humanities Transfer Pathway to a Private Research Institution

This poster explores how Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) and Cuyahoga Community College established the Cleveland Humanities Collaborative (CHC) to help high-performing students with interests in the humanities complete their associate degrees and transfer to CWRU to pursue Bachelors of Arts in humanities disciplines. This poster examines the creation and implementation of the CHC and explains how it supports students through mentoring, advising, research awards, and a transitional summer bridge program.

Allison Morgan, Program Manager, Cleveland Humanities Collaborative, Case Western Reserve University

Elizabeth Zeszotek, Transfer Specialist, Cuyahoga Community College

Adapting Transfer Programming to the Guided Pathways Model

The Austin Community College District is implementing the guided pathways model for higher education and training delivery. This has resulted in systemic change in every facet of the College. This poster will highlight the changes that the Office of Articulation & Transfer Resources is making to ensure that transfer programming remains consistent and complete through this transition. The audience includes community college staff whose colleges are moving toward guided pathways implementation and those seeking to learn more about transfer programming at a large, urban community college.

MaryJane McReynolds, Director, Austin Community College District Renee Esparza, Transfer Resources Analyst, Austin Community College District

Adjustment after Transfer for Concurrent Enrollment Students: An Exploratory Study

Adjustment to a university campus is important for all students but is under-researched for community college transfer students who participated in concurrent enrollment programs. Using Tinto’s (1975, 1993) theory of student attrition, this study interviewed four transfer students to understand their experiences of acclimation and adjustment after completion of their structured program. The study findings can be used to assist in designing new initiatives or to improve established concurrent enrollment programs.

Holly Herrera, Coordinator of Transfer Advising, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign


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The Thriving Transfer: Creating Community in a Transfer Seminar

What does it mean for a transfer to thrive in his or her new community? At Rollins College, an integrated transfer community begins on Day One. This poster will explore the ways a transition seminar can improve social integration, campus engagement, and scholastic excellence for transfer students. Highlighted topics include: curriculum development, successes, pitfalls, and recommendations for implementing a transition seminar at your institution.

Alexa Gordon, Assistant Director of Residential Life & Explorations, Rollins College

Transfer Advising: Navigating the Path from Community College to University

Many North Carolina students begin their postsecondary journey at community colleges, taking various transfer-specific courses to obtain a two-year degree, with the ultimate goal of completing a bachelor’s degree. To facilitate this process, North Carolina has established a framework for community colleges and universities to improve student matriculation, retention, and graduation. This poster will outline the path to degree attainment, with an emphasis on transfer advising practices, developing community college and university partnerships, and advisor training and information sharing.

Beth Watts, Transfer Transition Advisor, Appalachian State University Elizabeth Coleman, Student Services Counselor, Wilkes Community College, Alleghany Center

Transfer 101: ReBranding + ReThinking the Transfer Experience

Transfer Students are often an overlooked population and many campuses have limited staff dedicated to their successes. This poster will provide new and seasoned transfer professionals with innovative ideas to recruit and assist transfer students through the enrollment process, including ways to get students to campus, recruit new students, and automate processes to maximize your resources.

Erica Pepe, Senior Assistant Director of Transfer Admission, Marymount Manhattan College Alexandra Cafaro, Assistant Director of Freshman Admission, Marymount Manhattan College

A Circular Experience in Tennessee: Factors Impacting Reverse Transfer Degrees

Tennessee Reverse Transfer is a statewide initiative that combines credits from a student’s current four-year institution with previously earned community college credits to award an associate degree. This poster will describe the success of the program and highlight factors that impact total degrees awarded, including student consent and degree requirements. Our data is shared for professionals experienced with the reverse transfer process, who seek to improve system processes for increased degree attainment.

India Lane, Associate Vice President Office of Academic Affairs and Student Success, University of Tennessee System

Nancy Dietrich, Assistant Project Director, University of Tennessee System Gloria Gammell, Program Director Statewide Initiatives, University of Tennessee System

Tammy Lemon, Director Longitudinal Data System Boyd Center for Business & Economic Research, University of Tennessee Knoxville Katherine High, Vice President of Academic Affairs, University of Tennessee System

Making the Switch from University to Community College and Beyond

This poster is designed for community college academic advisors and counselors. It will include information and processes developed by Lone Star College-CyFair Transfer Program Advisors to assist students who are new to their community college make a successful return to a four-year university or to launch a new career.

Denise Leininger-Flinn, Advisor II, Transfer Programs, Lone Star College-CyFair Rochelle Reynolds, Advisor II, Transfer Programs, Lone Star College-CyFair

The Traveling Advisor

Learn how Texas Tech University uses pre-transfer academic advising to inform prospective transfer students before they even apply to the university. Advisors meet with students on community college campuses to discuss their intended major at the university level and different academic avenues to reach their goals. This poster will illustrate how the Office of Community College and Transfer Relations collaborates with community colleges to better prepare students to succeed by helping them understand degree requirements at the four-year university.

Keeley Grant, Senior Academic Advisor, Texas Tech University

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Transitioning from Community College to Senior College

As one of seven community colleges in the City University of New York, Queensborough Community College provides associate degree students opportunities to transfer into one of ten dual/joint degree programs to complete a bachelor’s degree in a variety of disciplines. Transfer students tracked from 2010-2015 through dual/joint, transfer, and career degrees indicate trends in transfer improvement. Dual/joint transfer degrees demonstrate student success rates in academic performance as compared to transfers without dual/joint degrees.

Linda Reesman, Faculty Fellow of Academic Affairs, Queensborough Community College, CUNY

Stop-out Students: At-Risk Students in College

College administrators are examining their policies and strategies for recruiting and retaining stop-out students in response to changing funding models for higher education. This poster will address how student satisfaction impacts student persistence and institutional graduation rates. Content will include research-based strategies to address the needs of stop-out students and improve student satisfaction.

Sam Mayhew, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, Bainbridge State College

Building a Foundation for Transfer

The transfer process can derail even the best student. By developing collaborative relationships with our four-year partners, we have created a foundation of success for transfer students. One strategy has been to engage students in the transfer planning process early. Our poster will share ideas and building blocks to take back to your campus to help enhance your transfer program.

Lynnae Selberg, Program Director, Academic Advising & Transfer Center, Grand Rapids Community College Bonnie Ulmer, Associate Director of Admissions, Grand Valley State University

Transfer Matters: The Demographics Demand It

Transfer has become an increasingly important part of successful enrollment plans. It is also vital to national goals to increase the numbers of college educated citizens to compete in a global workforce. Many factors demand improved connections between two- and four-year colleges, including U.S. demographic shifts and enrollment patterns. This poster addresses the impact of changing demographics by sharing strategies to improve partnerships and best practices for attracting students and supporting their success.

Shelley Fortin, Executive Director, Community College Transfer, LLC Brenda Doran, Director of Transfer Admissions, Bryant University

Community College Partnership: Associate Degree Attainment Leads to Seamless Transfer

A partnership between Indiana University and Ivy Tech Community College focuses on providing dynamic advising, career counseling, financial literacy support, and continuous wrap-around services to community college students desiring to earn both an associate degree and a bachelor’s degree. Guaranteed admission and scholarship opportunities incentivize associate degree completion prior to transfer. This poster will highlight the unique relationship between two institutions to promote student success and on-time degree completion.

Cathy Buckman, Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services, ABC Program Coordinator, Indiana University South Bend Kayla Elliott Miller, Associate Director of Online Recruitment, Interim ABC Transfer Specialist, Indiana University Kokomo

Engaging Transfer Students

Helping new transfer students become engaged early is essential for their success. This can be difficult as institutions often rely on a one-size-fits-all method of welcoming new students and tailor events more for new freshmen than transfer students. This poster will highlight ways that Appalachian State University has intentionally created transfer-focused orientation programming, welcome weekend events, residential learning communities, and first semester transfer programming and events.

Kim Morton, Associate Director of Transfer Services, Appalachian State University

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Opening Reception & Poster Presentations WEDNESDAY, FEB. 15 • 6:15-7:30 PM

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Marvin Martinez President, East Los Angeles College

Alfred Herrera, Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Partnerships, Center for Community College Partnerships, UCLA

Paulina Palomino Associate Dean, East Los Angeles College

Kirby Dominguez Transfer Center Director, East Los Angeles College

J. Edward Stevenson, Assistant Professor, Communication Studies, East Los Angeles College

Examining the Transfer Pipeline between Tri-County Technical College and Clemson University

Join a NISTS research grant winner to learn about the findings of her study examining the transfer connection between a two-year technical college and a four-year research institution in South Carolina will be shared. We will discuss the methodology, underlying theoretical perspectives, and the overarching outcomes of the study. Preliminary data analysis will also be included.

Mary M. Von Kaenel Interim Director, Bridge to Clemson and Transfer Programs, Clemson University

Plenary Session

As one of the largest schools in the nine-college Los Angeles district, East Los Angeles College (ELAC) has experienced incredible gains in transfer completion for a diverse student population (78% Latinx, 14% Asian-Pacific Islanders). Almost half of ELAC students report that transferring to a four-year institution and earning a bachelor’s degree is their goal. To support these students, the administration, faculty, and ELAC partners have designed support and instructional programming to address the root organizational barriers that cause students not to transfer. The resulting cultural, organizational, and instructional changes produced significant outcomes and provide a useful perspective on achieving long-term change. This discussion will benefit a range of transfer professionals, especially those focusing on improving organizational processes and partnerships to improve transfer success.

Moderator

Panelists

THURSDAY, FEB. 16 • 8:30-9:30 AM

Launching Online Transfer Students Successfully through Orientation

This poster will illustrate the process of developing an effective orientation module for students beginning an online RN-BSN program. The goals of the orientation are to increase retention and program completion, to cultivate a sense of belonging among peers and faculty in an online community, and to enhance support for all students in understanding policies and procedures. The poster will include the steps to build the orientation with consideration of all stakeholders.

Elizabeth McKinley, Academic Counselor - Online RN-BSN Program, University of Arkansas Ana Ayala Barker, Academic Advisor - Online Human Resource and Workforce Development Program, University of Arkansas

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Poster Presentations WEDNESDAY, FEB. 15 • 6:15-7:30 PM



Creating Sustainable Change to Support Transfer Students

TPCR

Ellington Ballroom

www.studentclearinghouse.org

©2016 National Student Clearinghouse. All rights reserved.

The ClearinghouseYour Place for Transfer Student DataThe only national Reverse Transfer solution Our free Reverse Transfer service is the first national automated solution for exchanging course and grade data, helping your eligible students receive the degrees they earned. Learn more at www.reversetransfer.org.

The only source for nationwide student outcomes data Our unique StudentTracker® educational research service lets you query the Clearinghouse’s unmatched nationwide coverage of enrollment and degree records to track students at institutions across the U.S. Ask your Clearinghouse rep how to get StudentTracker for free!

Timely national reports on transfer student mobility Our Research Center regularly publishes free national reports on transfer student mobility, completion, time to degree, and other important student outcomes using student-level data provided exclusively to the Clearinghouse. Read our reports at www.nscresearchcenter.org


Ellington Ballroom


Concurrent III

Academic Advising

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Orientation & Transition ProgramsCR EMCC O&TP

Salon H

Lean On Me: Peer Mentoring for Community College Transfer Scholars

Maintaining high academic standards during a transition can be challenging. This presentation will provide an overview of the Passport Scholars Mentoring Program provided by the Office of Transfer Student Services on the Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus. We will focus on the recruitment, training, and mentoring models utilized by the office and the Transfer-Year Experience mentors. This workshop will provide a framework for scholarship-based mentoring at your institution.

Rachel Fulton, Assistant Director, Office of Transfer Student Services, Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)

Matt Wade, Director, Office of Transfer Student Services, Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)

Salon A

Building Relationships: The Transfer Symposium and Other Key Strategies to Engage Your Campus Community

As transfer student enrollment increases on our campuses, the creation of an institution-wide vision for transfer students becomes more important to ensure transfer student success. Appalachian State University hosted a Transfer Symposium in September 2013 for more than 200 faculty and staff to learn about our transfer students, understand why transfer students are important, and to learn how to best serve transfer students both inside and outside of the classroom. Campus momentum from this event led to Transfer Symposium in 2014 and 2015. Learn more about these events and other key initiatives that have engaged faculty, staff, and our entire campus community.

Jane Rex, Director, Office of Transfer Services, Appalachian State University

Salon I

Strategies for Authentically Welcoming Student Veterans by Recognizing Military Competencies as Direct, Applicable Transfer Credit

Military-affiliated students have sacrificed much for the freedoms we all enjoy as U.S. citizens. These students come to higher education with significant education, training, and other military experiences that should count toward academic goals. Yet regulatory complexities and the narrowly-defined traditional structures for awarding credit in higher education make this challenging on many campuses. This presentation will provide an overview of this topic and offer tangible strategies from Michigan, Indiana, and other states participating in the Midwestern Higher Education Compact’s Multi-State Collaborative on Military Credit.

Katie Giardello, Director of Veteran and Transfer Initiatives, Michigan Center for Student Success, Michigan Community College Association

Jillian Scholten, Director of Academic Affairs Indiana Commission for Higher Education

Salon G

The National Student Clearinghouse’s Reverse Transfer and Student Tracker: National Solutions for Tracking Transfer Students

Learn how you can use the Clearinghouse’s national reverse transfer service and student tracker to help make progress toward your completion agenda. Track transfer student enrollment nationwide, including trends and patterns. Identify and share students who are eligible for reverse transfer with your top transfer institutions through NSC’s free service. A detailed description of the current functionality of both services, including future plans, and institutional experiences will be presented.

Michelle Blackwell, National Manager Reverse Transfer National Student Clearinghouse

Joe Roof, Regional Director, National Student Clearinghouse

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THURSDAY, FEB. 16 • 9:45-10:45 AM

Transfer Policy

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Dunwoody

Preparing Our Students for Transfer - A Case Study

Are we preparing our students to succeed when they transfer? Hear from a faculty member who took a sabbatical to examine this question. He interviewed 28 faculty, advisors, and administrators at ten nearby four-year institutions. His guiding question was, “What sort of preparation would best enable our students to succeed when they transfer to your school?” He will discuss his findings, how he turned the dreaded “cold call” into a pleasant experience, and share ideas for using the findings to enhance transfer students’ success.

Stephen J. Walsh, Professor, Business Administration Clark College, Vancouver, WA

Salon B

Building Institutional Capacity for Innovative Transfer Initiatives

How do you develop and fund a transfer initiative? Capacity building is hard work premised on solid data, social support structures, and the potential for the program’s positive impact on transfer students’ academic success. This session will provide insights into program and funding strategies that helped build a successful STEM transfer academy over a five-year period. Faculty, staff, or administrators interested in bridging programs should attend this interactive session.

Joseph Kulhanek, Assistant Vice President, The University of Texas at San Antonio/Institute for P-20 Initiatives

Carmen Fies, Associate Professor, STEM Education & Instructional Technology Associate Professor, Chemistry Education, The University of Texas at San Antonio, COEHD-ILT

Darrell Balderrama, Director of Retention Programs, |The University of Texas at San Antonio, Institute for P-20 Initiatives

Salon C

No Matter Where You Start, Finish at U of L: University and Community College Partnership

Explore the opportunities for a four-year research university to partner with community colleges to reduce credit bleed, engage transfer students earlier, and increase transfer numbers and graduation rates. How can you ease transfer shock and transition anxiety to a R1 university? Data will be shared and we will discuss academic and student services provided at the community college campuses.

Tawana McWhorter, Associate Director, University of Louisville

Troy Rice, Academic Counselor, Senior, University of Louisville

Angela Jackerson, Program Coordinator, University of Louisville

Jennifer Englert-Copeland, Director of Advising and Assessment, Jefferson Community and Technical College

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10:45-11:15 AM



Concurrent IV

Academic Advising


Salon H

Fostering a Transfer Student Receptive Ecosystem at the University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati has recently committed to a significant investment in transfer student resources. Join us as we discuss our new Center for Pathways Advising and Student Success, and learn how key collaborations and innovative programming have transformed the transfer student experience for a large, decentralized university. We’ll discuss how technology, including a mobile app for transfer students, combined with a retention solution, have played an integral role in building our transfer student ecosystem.

Donnie McGovern, Director, Center for Pathways Advising and Student Success, University of Cincinnati

Salon A

Building Inter-Institutional Partnerships: Tools for Comparative Analysis and Planning

Inter-institutional partnerships are critical for bolstering transfer student success, particularly in STEM fields. In this session, we will share our “toolkit” designed for two-year and four-year institutions preparing to launch a transfer partnership. This toolkit contains an adaptable set of tools that can be used to initiate conversations, compile baseline information, compare practices and exchange data. This work helps to target areas in need of closer alignment, additional resources, and program development.

Sarah Jewett, Executive Director of the STEM Transfer Student Success Initiative (t-STEM), University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)

William LaCourse, Dean of the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences (CNMS), University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)

Salon I

Step In, Speak Up, and Influence the National Transfer Reform Agenda

You are invited to participate in a session to gather the best ideas and practices for improving transfer. The John N. Gardner Institute has received a planning grant from an influential foundation to make recommendations for improving transfer. We want to include your good ideas, with attribution. We anticipate a session of great ideas for inspiration and information, which will ultimately be shared with influential change makers.

Betsy Griffin, Vice President and Resident Scholar, John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education

John N. Gardner, President, John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education

Salon G

The Library Can Do That? Library Services for Transfer Students

Academic librarians play an important role in transfer students’ academic success. A panel of five librarians will offer insights and best practices from their experiences engaging transfer students through research, teaching, and programming. This session will be informative for transfer professionals who coordinate orientations and advise students, we will outline the resources and services libraries can offer in support of transfer student success.

Mark Robison, First-Year Experience Librarian, Valparaiso University

Tammy Ivins, Transfer Student Services Librarian, University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Carrie Bishop, Regional Campus/First-Year Experience Librarian, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Kelly McCallister, Distance Education Librarian, Appalachian State University

Karen Grigg, Science Liaison Librarian, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

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THURSDAY, FEB. 16 • 11:15 AM-12:15 PM

Current Research

Transfer Policy




Dunwoody

Using the Two-Day Model of Orientation for Transfer Students This session will discuss the importance of providing options in the types of orientation programs offered to transfer students. Transfer students are seeking more information before they start attending a new institution, but many schools have moved to offering a shorter, one-day orientation model for them, instead. This session will discuss how the Georgia Institute of Technology moved to offering two-day and single-day orientation programs for their transfer students.

Cynthia Jennings, Assistant Dean/Director of New Student and Sophomore Programs, Georgia Institute of Technology

Larry Cloud, Assistant Director of Orientation, Georgia Institute of Technology

Salon B

Fill Those Empty Seats: Recruiting Transfer Students

TES® is a database that contains over 99,600 college catalogs and over 83.7 million course descriptions. Utilize tools like the Evaluation Workflow Tracker and customizable Public View, to increase efficiency in defining transfer course equivalencies. Additionally, promote transfer and recruit more transfer students with Transferology™. Over 500,000 potential transfer students have looked to Transferology to see a list of possible schools that will accept their previously taken courses, standardized tests, and military training.

John Panzica, Transfer Solutions Specialist, CollegeSource

Salon C

From the Ground Up: Taking Your Ideas from the Coffee Shop to the Campus

Have a great idea, but don’t know how to get started? Do you realize that it will take more than just you to make it happen, but don’t know where to turn for help? Then this session is for you! We will discuss cross-campus collaboration for transfer student success at The University of Alabama. The presenters will talk about their journey from throwing around a couple of ideas at a cafe to the implementation of new campus-wide transfer student initiatives.

Brittnay McMillian, Assistant Director for Transfer Recruitment, University of Alabama

Wendy McMillian, Associate Registrar for the College of Arts & Sciences, University of Alabama

Stephanie Linard, Assistant University Registrar for Transfer Credit, University of Alabama

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NetworkingLunch

12:15-1:30 PMOverlook East & West


Plenary Session THURSDAY, FEB. 16 • 1:45-2:45 PM

Bianca Dirige is a junior biology (pre-med) student at Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is also pursuing a minor in Spanish. Bianca, a first-generation college student originally from the Bay Area, began her educational journey at Baton Rouge Community College before taking

classes at the City College of San Francisco. Last summer she was determined to attend a medical internship in Haiti, which gave hands-on experience working in rural clinics. It was expensive (over $5,000 with airfare), but she knew that this is what she wanted to help her on her path to becoming a doctor. Bianca worked tirelessly to raise the money, and she described the trip as a life changing experience that confirmed she has chosen the right career path. “I feel that students in the process of transferring need to have someone there to answer questions or even just to relate to or have something in common with.””Whether you attend a two year university by choice or without a choice it does not have to be your ending point but rather your starting point.”

Jordan Gomes is a junior at St. Mary’s College of California. He began his education at Loyola University of New Orleans before a family crisis led him to Santa Rosa Junior College, where he earned an associate degree in social and behavioral sciences before transferring to St. Mary’s.”Success

is not always a straight line, but rather curvy path with roadblocks and hurdles that one must overcome to continue.”

Hillary G. Allen is a junior at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. She transferred from Columbia State Community College with an associate degree, where she was given the honor of being asked to deliver the commencement address. She has served as Regional President of Phi Theta Kappa, and was

named the Most Outstanding Student by the faculty of her college.”My role in Phi Theta Kappa further deepened my passion and understanding of what transfer students need. I learned to respect my alternative past instead of continuing to force a square peg into a round hole.”“All I ever needed was someone who believed in me.”

David Nguyen is a junior at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he is majoring in sociology and pursuing a minor in education studies. He transferred from Fullerton College. He currently hosts a radio show where he interviews leading transfer researchers. He is presenting a poster at the conference describing

his research on how ACT/SAT testing requirements at highly-selective four-year universities deter community college students from applying. “Students like myself are told implicitly, and sometimes explicitly, that we are not important and that we are less than. Our second-class status is implied through a lack of transfer articulation agreements, nearly absent recruitment efforts, and the dismal number of community college transfer students at highly selective four-year universities.”

Erin Georgia is a junior at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama where she is studying organizational leadership. She transferred from Jefferson State Community College, where she received an associate degree. Erin is a Marine Corps veteran who started college the same year her youngest child

started kindergarten. “I was successful because I had the knowledge, the mentors, and the support to make the most of my transfer experience. None of my success the past year would have been possible without all the amazing options offered through transfer programs.”“I believe all students can be wildly successful if afforded to right opportunities at the right time. School administrators need to work with successful transfer students to evaluate current policy to make transfer success accessible to more students. “Without student collaboration, policy makers might be designing programs that look great on paper but are difficult to comprehend and complete as a student.”

Transfer Student Ambassador Panel

Ellington Ballroom

Dantrayl Smith Ed.D., Assistant Director of Transfer Student Services, The University of Texas at Arlington

Moderator


Salon H

New Evidence: Five Critical, Understudied Barriers to Transfer Success

Most entering community college students intend to transfer and earn a bachelor’s degree yet few actually do. In this presentation, we organize key findings from our recent transfer research into five major obstacles to transfer success gleaned from national and state-level patterns of students’ transfer enrollments, credit accumulation, and efficient completion. Participants will join in considering areas of future research and considering the implications for transfer policy and practice.

John Fink, Research Associate, Community College Research Center, Teachers College, Columbia University

Salon A

Passport, the Journey Awaits: Partnership for Community College Transfer Success

For more than 25 years, the jointly funded Passport office has enhanced transfer student initiatives between Ivy Tech Community College Central of Indiana and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Join us to discover Passport’s new initiatives, including the creation of a transfer guide and webinar; changes to the Passport Scholarship and transfer student data reporting; and increased numbers of articulation agreements, programming and partnerships. This presentation is intended for those who wish to learn strategies for maximizing transfer partnerships.

Julie Landaw, Director, IUPUI & Ivy Tech Coordinated Programs (Passport), Ivy Tech Community College and IUPUI

Salon I

The Door is Open for Prior Learning Assessment… Can it Come In?

Students often start college with work, military, and life experience that have the potential for college credit, but restrictive and outdated Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) policies are often a barrier in this process. Hear staff at one of the nation’s largest community college districts share their journey to reexamine PLA and its potential to boost degree completion and transfer success.

Rose Rojas, Director, Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation, Maricopa Community Colleges (AZ)

Kathy Silberman, Transfer Project Coordinator, Maricopa Community Colleges (AZ)

Salon G

Collaborating with Campus Partners to Improve the Transfer Process

The Office of Undergraduate Admission at Georgia Tech has collaborated with campus partners over the past two years to improve the transfer process. Through our collective efforts, we’ve used data to change or create new programs and educate students by sharing admission and academic data. We’ve also empowered students to enhance their transfer success and connection to campus. Join us as we share these changes and resources that you can take back to your institution.

Chad Bryant, Senior Assistant Director, Undergraduate Admission, Georgia Institute of Technology

Cynthia Jennings, Assistant Dean/Director of New Student and Sophomore Programs, Georgia Institute of Technology

Jeremy Gray, Assistant Registrar, Georgia Institute of Technology

Debbie Pearson, Retention and Graduation Manager, Georgia Institute of Technology

THURSDAY, FEB. 16 • 3:00-4:00 PMConcurrent V

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Improving Campus Climate for Increased Degree Attainment: Making a Home for Transfers

Faculty members from Austin Peay State University will provide an overview of literature pertaining to transfer students and our university’s efforts in examining the data related to our transfer population and their performance. We will also discuss our research driven initiative to address the needs of our transfer population by improving the campus climate based on their feedback.

Erin Lynch-Alexander, Assistant Professor, Martha Dickerson Eriksson College of Education at Austin Peay State University

Tucker Brown, Associate Professor, Sociology, Austin Peay State University

Marsha Lyle-Gonga, Associate Professor, Political Science, Austin Peay State University

Mercy Cannon, Associate Professor, Languages & Literature, Austin Peay State University

Lisa Sullivan, Associate Professor, Chemistry, Austin Peay State University

Karen Meisch, Associate Professor, Biology, Austin Peay State University

Salon B

The Peer Advantage: Leveraging Emerging Student Leaders through Transfer and Transition

New and advancing transfer professionals will participate in an engaging, interactive presentation focused on creating strong peer-to-peer student networks. These networks focus on the development of institutional pride, increased self-awareness, and a strengthened “sense of self” and connection to community among student leaders. All of these efforts support the successful facilitation of orientation programming, transition planning, and ultimately the successful transfer of new, incoming students. Chelsea Moyer, Program Coordinator, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) at the Universities at Shady Grove

Ashley Waters, Associate Director, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) at the Universities at Shady Grove, Division of Professional Studies

Salon C

Back to the Future: Facilitating Transitions through Reflection and Exploration

Guttman Community College’s Career Strategist team uses a three-pronged approach to supporting students as they transition from their first-year experience through their program of study and into a baccalaureate program. Reflection, exploration, and advising are at the heart of an initiative that has positively impacted the graduation rate, increased transfer to bachelor degree programs, and widened the scope of senior college options for our students. This session will focus on the key components of Guttman’s approach and explore how to implement programming, resources, and strength-based advising practices to provide support to college students in constant transition. Janine Harris, Career Strategist, Guttman Community College

Lauren DiMartino, Career Strategist, Guttman Community College

Allison Milana, Career Strategist, Guttman Community College

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Concurrent V



Visit NACADA’s website for information on resources and events: www.nacada.ksu.edu

NACADA’s Academic Advisor Core Resource Library Package

Beyond Foundations: Developing as a Master Advisor was written expressly for experienced academic advisors. Experienced academic advisors know they must meet the expectations of students, parents, colleagues, administrators, and outside agencies, all while navigating an increasingly complex range of issues presented by a student population unlike any that has come before. Beyond Foundations provides the insight and clarity that experienced advisors need to help students achieve their educational goals and advance our eld.

Welcome new professional or faculty advisors to campus with this three‐book package that starts them on the road to success. These resources are proven to help all advisors thrive in their positions whether they advise singly or with seasoned advising veterans.

Academic Advising Approaches: Strategies That Teach Students to Make the Most of College outlines a wide variety of proven advising practices and strate‐gies that help students master the necessary skills to achieve their academic and career goals. This book embeds theoretical bases within practical explanations and examples advisors can use in answering fundamental questions such as:

What will make me a more effective advisor? What can I do to enhance student success? What conversations do I need to initiate with my colleagues

to improve my unit, campus, and profession?

This is an exciting time to be an academic advisor—a time in which global recogni‐tion of the importance of advising is growing, research affirms the critical role advising plays in student success, and institutions of higher education increasingly view advising as integral to their missions and essential for improving the quality of students' educational experiences. It is essential that advisors provide knowledge‐able, realistic counsel to the students in their charge. The New Advisor Guidebook helps advisors meet this challenge.

Focus on Transfer Research


Join us to recognize the recipients of the Barbara K. Townsend Dissertation of the Year Award and the NISTS Research Award. We will also highlight transfer research produced this year and provide an update on an NISTS original transfer research project.

Judith T. Brauer, M.S. Associate Director, NISTSDoctoral Student, Qualitative Research & Evaluation Methodologies, University of Georgia

Trudy Bers, Ph.D. President, The Bers Group NISTS Advisory Board Member

Barbara Tobolowsky, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, University of Texas at Arlington NISTS Advisory Board Member

Understanding the College Choice Process for Transfer Students

Speakers:

How do students choose their transfer institutions? Although there is much speculation and many assumptions, there is little actual research on college choice and transfer students. What is clear is that the process is complex, influenced by many factors – some within and others outside of the student’s control. NISTS is currently engaged in an original

Transitioning: The Transfer Student ExperienceMartinez’ study examined the post-transfer experiences of 27 underserved transfer students at a four-year institution. She was interested in the challenges that these students encountered, as well as strategies they used to mitigate these challenges. While highlighting the perceptions of students existing within a first-time freshmen paradigm, she conceptualized transitioning capital as knowledge and mapped the nuanced understandings that transfer students gain while transitioning to a new institution. Her discussion highlights ways that transfer students learn through transitioning. Findings from this study encourage faculty, staff, and administrators to examine how transfer students are served at their institution, especially when there is a significant focus on first-time freshman students.

The Perceptions of Policymakers on the Transfer Pathway in Texas Public Higher EducationFaris’s qualitative study explored the perspectives of Texas policymakers and policy influencers on the efficacy of policies intended to improve transfer outcomes. Findings revealed that significant gaps exist between expectations and student realities and that the completion agenda is driving policy decisions. Solutions are needed for inefficiencies, so students will earn less unnecessary credit and transfer more hours. Policymakers can create the policies for the large system of independent, autonomous institutions, but effective change must engage faculty and institutions provided the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board creates the conditions to make the change possible.

Barbara K. Townsend Dissertation of the Year Award

research project exploring transfer students’ reasons for selecting their schools and their experiences as transfer students. The findings of this study will inform practitioners and policymakers at both sending and receiving institutions to better serve transfer students in their decision-making process.

Dalinda Martinez, Ph.D.Dr. Marilyn J. Amey, Dissertation Chair, College of Education, Department of Educational Administration, Michigan State University

Kimberly Faris, Ph.D. Dr. Amy Fann, Dissertation Chair; Dr. Marc Cutright, Committee Member, Associate Professor of Higher Education, University of North Texas

H O N O R A B L E M E N T I O N

NISTS AnnualResearch Grants

THURSDAY, FEB. 16 • 4:30-5:45 PM

There are nearly 1.5 million service men and women across the United States. Educational experiences for members of the military are often highly transient, yet very little is understood about what military students encounter through the transfer process. Using a mixed-methods approach, Erin Lynch-Alexander and Virginia Linares will explore the perceptions of the transfer experience for military-related students.

This study hopes to comprehensively understand the problem in order to offer

Perception of Campus Climate for Military Affiliated or Military Connected Transfer Students

direct, meaningful and measureable solutions that can impact the national landscape for transfer students of military related families. There is a profound shortage in the literature regarding the climate for military-related students who often become transfers when changing duty stations during the times of collegiate enrollment. Exploring the perceptions of transfers who are also military related can provide more insight to a transient population for the national landscape of research regarding transfer students.

International students are increasingly learning the benefits of community colleges and are participating in reverse transfer. In this context, reverse transfer refers to international students transferring from a four-year institution to a community college. Little is understood, however, about how to best serve and advise international students around this transfer process.

Using a mixed method approach, this study will survey and interview international students from

the largest community college in the state of Iowa, Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) and Iowa State University (ISU), the number one transfer destination university. Specifically, this project will examine the decision-making process during reverse transfer and the transfer experiences of international students in both four-year and two-year institutions.

International Reverse Transfer in Iowa: Perspectives from Both Sides

1) What are the demographic characteristics (e.g., gender, language skills, nationality, etc.) of international students who have reverse transferred to a two-year community college? And how do their characteristics compare to those who did not/do not intend to reverse transfer?

2) How do international reverse transfer students come to understand the function of a U.S. community college? What are the critical factors that significantly relate to international students’ understanding of a community college? How do international students learn the context of community colleges and the benefits of reverse transfer?

3) What is the decision-making process of reverse transfer for international students? What are the significant predictors of reverse transfer? Who and/or what experiences influenced international students’ decisions?

4) After arriving at a community college, what kind of support will benefit international students?

Research questions for this study include:


Yu (April) ChenPost-doctoral Research Associate, School of Education,Iowa State University

Principal Investigator:

Linda Serra HagedornProfessor and Associate Dean, School of Education, Iowa State University

Ran LiPost-doctoral Research Associate, School of Education, Iowa State University

Co-Principal Investigators:

Virginia LinaresMilitary Student Center Coordinator, Austin Peay State University

Co-Principal Investigator:

Erin Lynch-AlexanderAssistant Professor, Education, Austin Peay State University

Principal Investigator:

Ellington Ballroom


ISBN 978-1-889271-83-5$35.00

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ISBN 978-1 889271-73-6$35.00

Statewide Initiatives to Increase Transfer

Transfer rates vary from college to college and state to state. Many colleges are working cooperatively to increase the transfer rates of underserved students, yet across the board, transfer still remains low. California and Florida are examples of two states that have taken a broader approach to increase student access and transfer. Come and learn strategies for navigating state-level systems to increase opportunities for transfer students.

Breakfast Plenary FRIDAY, FEB. 17 • 8:00-9:45 AM


Michele Siqueiros, M.A. President, Campaign for College Opportunity

Stephen Handel Associate Vice President, University of California

Julie Alexander, Ed.D. Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Miami Dade College

Moderator

Panelists Michele Siqueiros currently serves on the Boards of the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP), The EdSource Advisory Council, Alliance for a Better Community (ABC), and from 2011-2014, Michele served as a gubernatorial appointee to the California Student Aid Commission, the state agency responsible for distributing and awarding over $1.7 billion annually in Cal Grant aid to California college students. In 2015, the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation named her their Woman of the Year. Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) named Michele their HOPE Treasure in 2014. That same year, La Opinion Newspaper gave her the Hispanic Leader Award for her leadership in education. In 2008, La Opinion named her one of Los Angeles’ Mujeres Destacadas (Outstanding Woman). She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies and Chicano/a Studies from Pitzer College and her Master of Arts in Urban Planning from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Dr. Julie Alexander joined Miami Dade College as Vice Provost of Academic Affairs in 2015. Dr. Alexander is a Florida native, born in Pensacola. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of North Texas, a Master in Education from the University of West Florida and a Doctor of Education from the Florida State University. She was an art teacher in Botswana, Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer then moved to Texas where she taught art to elementary and high school students. Dr. Alexander worked for the Florida Department of Education in a variety of capacities, including serving as the Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs for the Florida College System. She has been involved in major implementation activities impacting Florida’s community colleges, such as: the creation of the Postsecondary Education Readiness Test, coordination of a statewide general education core, implementation of developmental education reform, negotiating statewide articulation agreements and baccalaureate degree program approval. Now, she serves as the chief academic officer at Miami Dade College.

Ellington Ballroom

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Concurrent VISalon G

Creating Safe Passages: Transfer Passports Within and Between States

More than 37% of college students transfer and nearly 25% cross state lines. Most transfers lose credits, incur more costs, and take more time to complete a degree – if they graduate at all. Come hear a panel of educators from Arkansas, Indiana, and Virginia share how they are introducing the Interstate Passport Initiative concept to faculty at community colleges and regional universities in their state, and how they are supporting these faculty efforts in developing Transfer Passports within and between states.

Cheryl Blanco, Vice President for Postsecondary Education, Southern Regional Education Board (SREB)

Ken Sauer, Senior Associate Commissioner and Chief Academic Officer, Indiana Commission for Higher Education

Stephen Schoonmaker, Consultant to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education

Paul Smith, Associate for Student Mobility Policy and Research, State Council of Higher Education for Virginia

Salon H

Doing More with Less: Creative Collaborations for Transfer Student Success

This interactive session will describe how a dedicated group of staff and faculty from Kennesaw State University have collaborated, with limited resources, to reimagine transfer programs. The presenters will share examples of the creative curricular and co-curricular programs. Participants will leave with resources and strategies they can use to “do more with less” for transfer student success.

Stephanie Foote, Professor of Education and Director, Master of Science in First-Year Studies, Kennesaw State University

Jean So, Director of Transition Programs, Kennesaw State University

Chris Lundy, Graduation Coach with the Transfer Advocate Gateway Program (TAG), Kennesaw State University

Natasha Talreja, Assistant Director of Transfer and Adult Admission Services, Kennesaw State University

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Salon C

TRANSFERmation 101: Creating a Transfer Friendly Campus & Community

Join a former NISTS Transfer Student Ambassador for this presentation about how orientation and transition programs can create a more transfer friendly campus through strategic partnerships, collaborative programming, and program assessments. Additional topics will include transfer orientation programs, transfer student recruitment, transfer clubs and organizations, and community involvement.

J. Maxwell Kimbrough, Orientation Intern, Auburn University at Montgomery

Dunwoody

How Mathematics Faculty at Appalachian State Support Transfer Students

Join us to learn about ways that faculty can proactively support transfer student success. We will discuss strategies implemented by the mathematics faculty at Appalachian State University. Approaches have included participating in workshops with community college faculty to better understand their advising processes and to discuss curricular issues and student preparation. Other efforts have been less formal, and include becoming more aware of transfer student needs, including finding one more seat in a class or serving as a faculty mentor.

Katrina Palmer, Mathematics Professor, Appalachian State University

Salon A

The Embedded Advisor: Four-Year Advisors within the Community College

Representatives from public four-year institutions will discuss their roles and responsibilities as transfer enrollment coordinators and advisors housed within the Bluegrass Community Technical College (BCTC) Transfer Center. The establishment of the BCTC Transfer Center and its impact on the larger Kentucky Community and Technical College System will also be discussed.

Sara Price, Transfer Advisor, University of Kentucky

Becky Critchfield, Transfer Advisor, Bluegrass Community and Technical College (Lexington, KY)

Gaby Baca, Transfer Admissions and Articulation Coordinator, Eastern Kentucky University (Richmond, KY)

LaCrystal Green, Transfer Advisor/Enrollment Counselor, Morehead State University (Morehead, KY)

Kelsey Carew, Academic Advisor, University of Kentucky (Lexington, KY)

Salon B

Barbara K. Townsend Dissertation of the Year: Learning as Transition

Come hear Dalinda Martinez, the Barbara K. Townsend Dissertation of the Year winner, discuss her study, which examined the post-transfer experiences of underserved transfer students at Liberty State University. While highlighting the perceptions of students existing within a first-time freshmen paradigm, she conceptualized transitioning capital as knowledge and mapped the nuanced understandings that transfer students gain while transitioning to a new institution. This discussion will include illustrations of how transfer students learn through transitioning.

Dalinda Martinez, Michigan State University, Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education

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Salon B

Transforming the First Semester: Supporting Transfer and Military Transitions through a Transfer Seminar Course

The nationally-recognized UNI 201: Transfer Seminar course at UNC-Wilmington addresses needs of new transfer students while also building valuable skills and meeting graduation requirements. Join us as we discuss the highlights of this course, including common assignments and peer mentor program. Participants will discuss the benefits of a transfer orientation course, receive materials for developing curriculum, and consider methods and research to support the creation or growth of similar courses at their institutions.

Jenny Adams, Coordinator of Special Programs, University College, University of North Carolina Wilmington

Karsan Hardy, Academic Advisor, University College, University of North Carolina Wilmington

Salon C

Bridging the Transfer Gap through the Collaboration of Recruitment and Advising During Harsh Policy Changes.

For transfer students, transitioning into a new institution can be challenging. There are two critical factors that can impact a transfers student’s success: making the transition to college and making positive connections with college personnel (Rendon, 1995). This session will discuss and outline one institution’s efforts to collaborate between community colleges and four-year institutions to begin building relationships in the transfer admissions process, and the importance of academic advising for student success.

Kari Emm, Transfer Recruitment Coordinator, University of Nevada, Reno

Aqueelah Thompson, Director of Advising, University of Nevada, Reno

Salon H

Capstone Experiences: Moving Transfer Students through the Higher Education Pipeline

Senior capstones include a range of educational experiences designed to enhance critical thinking, engage students in research and/or professional development activities, facilitate career preparation, and enhance communication skills. Yet transfer students are less likely to participate in this important, high-impact practice. Findings from the 2016 National Survey of Senior Capstone Experiences frame a discussion about the role of capstone experiences in preparing students for transfer to a four-year institution and strategies for connecting students to this high impact practice after transfer.

Tracy L. Skipper, Assistant Director for Publications, National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience & Students in Transition

Salon A

The Big Shift: A Guide to Developing Pre-Orientation Workshops

Join a former NISTS Transfer Student Ambassador to learn about strategies for engaging prospective students before the students enroll at your institution. As an undergraduate student, Milka had a difficult transfer experience. She went on to develop BYGShift.com, a blog site dedicated to sharing transfer student stories, and sharing strategies for transfer success. The session will use the ICEP (Identity, Communication, Engagement, & Preparation) concept to help transfer professionals develop pre-orientation workshops.

Milka Derisma, Graduate Student, University of Central Florida

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Closing Session12:30-1:00 PM

Ellington Ballroom

Advancing the Transfer Agenda Join us to reflect on all that we’ve learned this week, and begin developing concrete plans for application as we return to our institutions. We’ve examined current transfer research, heard from leaders in the field, and renewed professional relationships with colleagues. Take a few moments to plan for the next year and celebrate our collective commitment to transfer student success.

FRIDAY, FEB. 17 • 11:15-12:15 PM

EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS

The John N. Gardner Institute (JNGI) partners with postsecondary institutions or systems to improve teaching, learning, retention, and completion. Specifically, JNGI guides the development and implementation of plans to transform the first-year or transfer experiences; gateway courses; or retention for specific cohorts. It also offers student success-focused convenings and events.

NACADA promotes/supports quality academic advising to enhance the educational development of students at higher education institutions. NACADA provides a forum for discussion, debate, and exchange of ideas pertaining to academic advising through events and publications. NACADA’s 12,000+ members include professional advisors/counselors, faculty, administrators, graduate and undergraduate students.

The mission of NODA-Association for Orientation, Transition, and Retention in Higher Education is to provide education, leadership, and professional development in the field of college student orientation, transition, and retention (OTR). NODA is an international association comprised of professional administrators, students, faculty and related organizations. NODA is dedicated to inter-association cooperation, the advancement of professional and ethical standards, and the production of scholarly works. The Association recently approved Core Competencies for orientation, transition and retention. To learn more, go to: nodaweb.org

The National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition serves as the trusted expert, internationally recognized leader, and clearinghouse for scholarship, policy, and best practice for all postsecondary student transitions. Building upon its history of excellence as the founder and leader of the first-year experience movement, the National Resource Center serves education professionals by supporting and advancing efforts to improve student learning and transitions into and through higher education.



CollegeSource, Inc. has been creating information technology solutions for higher education since 1971. More than 2,000 institutions and millions of users worldwide utilize CollegeSource products for degree audit, degree planning, and transfer articulation.

Tau Sigma is a national honor society designed specifically to recognize and promote the academic excellence and involvement of transfer students. Tau Sigma was established in 1999 at Auburn University and has grown to over 160 chapters nationwide and awards over $50,000 in scholarships each year.

The Master of Science in First-Year Studies (MSFYS) is a fully online graduate program that encompasses the theory and study of factors affecting the initial college experience, including foundations of students’ transitional experiences and research on various programs that promote a successful transition. Grounded in decades of research, this is the only graduate degree program dedicated to the discipline of first-year studies.

The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), founded in 1937, is an organization of more than 15,000 professionals from around the world dedicated to serving students as they make choices about pursuing postsecondary education. NACAC is committed to maintaining high standards that foster ethical and social responsibility among those involved in the transition process, as outlined in the NACAC Statement of Principles of Good Practice (SPGP).

LOGOED is an independent creative marketing agency that focuses on the use of promotional products to communicate branding and awareness. We work with education, corporate and small business markets helping them to achieve their goals. We strive to exceed your expectations every step of the way. Learn more at www.Logoed.net

The National Student Clearinghouse is the trusted source for education verification and student outcomes research. We serve the education community by facilitating the exchange and understanding of student enrollment, performance and related information through our Data Exchange Services, Financial Aid Services, Research Services, Reverse Transfer, Transcript Services, and Verification Services.

Since its founding in 1918, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society has provided recognition and opportunities to more than 3 million members in nearly 1,300 chapters on college campuses in nine nations. Building pathways and partnerships to empower community college students for success as leaders within education and our future workforce.

Advantage Design Group is an award-winning multimedia design and development firm based in Ponte Vedra, Florida. Products and services include websites, videos, online orientations, trade show presentations and touch screens. In 2016 Advantage Design Group was ranked by the Business Journal as the 98th fastest growing private business in Florida.

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National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students | University of North Georgia82 College Circle, Dahlonega, GA 30597