1. The Transfer Playbook: Essential Practices for Two- and Four-Year Colleges
#TacklingTransfer
Davis Jenkins
Community College Research Center
Tracking transfer is part of a broader project dubbed, Tackling Transfer - With generous support from Helmsley, Carnegie, and BMGF

4. 5. Community College Cohort Bachelor’s Completion Rate
Tracking Transfer: Five New Measures
Transfer-Out Rate
Transfer-with-Award Rate
Transfer-Out Bachelor’s Completion Rate
COMMUNITY
COLLEGE
5. Community College Cohort Bachelor’s Completion Rate
The root causes of the transfer problem are complex, but one thing that’s clear is the lack of good data on transfer outcomes
4. Transfer-In Bachelor’s Completion Rate
FOUR-YEAR
COLLEGE

5. Fall 2007 degree-seeking students, N = 719,371
Number of Transfer Students: 237,126

6. Fall 2007 degree-seeking students, N = 719,371
Number of Transfer Students: 237,126

9. Fall 2007 degree-seeking students, N = 719,371

10. Fall 2007 degree-seeking students, N = 719,371

14. The Transfer Playbook: Essential Practices for Two- and Four-Year Colleges
State
Community College
Universities
Colorado
Front Range CC
Colorado State University
Connecticut
Manchester CC
Eastern Connecticut State U
Florida
Broward College
Florida International U
Florida Atlantic U
Louisiana
LSU-Eunice
U of Louisiana - Lafayette
Mass.
Holyoke CC
U Mass Amherst
Washington
Everett CC
University of Washington
Western Washington U
Prioritize Transfer:
-Communicate transfer as key component of the institutional mission.
-Share data to increase the understanding of the need to improve transfer student outcomes – and the potential benefits of doing so.
-Dedicate significant resources to support transfer students.
Create transfer pathways with aligned instruction:
-Work collaboratively with colleagues from partner institutions to create major-specific program maps
-Provide rigorous instruction and high-quality out-of-class experiences  to prepare students for four-year programs  
-Establish Regular, Reliable Processes for Updating and Improving Program Maps
-Design Unconventional Pathways, As Necessary
Transfer Student Advising
Community colleges
-Clearly articulate students’ transfer options and help them determine, as early as possible, their field of interest, major of study, and preferred transfer destination.
-Continuously monitor student progress and intervene quickly when students are off-track.
-Help students access the financial resources necessary to achieve their goals.
Four-Year Institution Advising Practices
-Commit dedicated personnel, structures, and resources for transfer students
-Assign advisors and clearly communicate essential information to prospective transfer students 
-Strongly encourage transfer students to declare a major prior to transfer
-Replicate elements of the first-year experience for transfer students
-Exercise fairness in financial aid allocation

15. Essential 2- and 4-Year College Transfer Practices
Prioritize transfer student success
Create clear program pathways with aligned high quality instruction
Provide tailored transfer student advising
Build strong transfer partnerships
Prioritize Transfer:
-Communicate transfer as key component of the institutional mission.
-Share data to increase the understanding of the need to improve transfer student outcomes – and the potential benefits of doing so.
-Dedicate significant resources to support transfer students.
Create transfer pathways with aligned instruction:
-Work collaboratively with colleagues from partner institutions to create major-specific program maps
-Provide rigorous instruction and high-quality out-of-class experiences  to prepare students for four-year programs  
-Establish Regular, Reliable Processes for Updating and Improving Program Maps
-Design Unconventional Pathways, As Necessary
Transfer Student Advising
Community colleges
-Clearly articulate students’ transfer options and help them determine, as early as possible, their field of interest, major of study, and preferred transfer destination.
-Continuously monitor student progress and intervene quickly when students are off-track.
-Help students access the financial resources necessary to achieve their goals.
Four-Year Institution Advising Practices
-Commit dedicated personnel, structures, and resources for transfer students
-Assign advisors and clearly communicate essential information to prospective transfer students 
-Strongly encourage transfer students to declare a major prior to transfer
-Replicate elements of the first-year experience for transfer students
-Exercise fairness in financial aid allocation
* Wyner, Deane, Jenkins & Fink, May 2016.

16. Essential Practice 1: Prioritize Transfer
Communicate transfer as a key component of the institution’s mission
Share data to increase understanding of the need to improve transfer student outcomes – and the benefits of doing so
Dedicate significant resources to support transfer students
Prioritize Transfer:
-Communicate transfer as key component of the institutional mission.
-Share data to increase the understanding of the need to improve transfer student outcomes – and the potential benefits of doing so.
-Dedicate significant resources to support transfer students.
Create transfer pathways with aligned instruction:
-Work collaboratively with colleagues from partner institutions to create major-specific program maps
-Provide rigorous instruction and high-quality out-of-class experiences  to prepare students for four-year programs  
-Establish Regular, Reliable Processes for Updating and Improving Program Maps
-Design Unconventional Pathways, As Necessary
Transfer Student Advising
Community colleges
-Clearly articulate students’ transfer options and help them determine, as early as possible, their field of interest, major of study, and preferred transfer destination.
-Continuously monitor student progress and intervene quickly when students are off-track.
-Help students access the financial resources necessary to achieve their goals.
Four-Year Institution Advising Practices
-Commit dedicated personnel, structures, and resources for transfer students
-Assign advisors and clearly communicate essential information to prospective transfer students 
-Strongly encourage transfer students to declare a major prior to transfer
-Replicate elements of the first-year experience for transfer students
-Exercise fairness in financial aid allocation

17. EvCC Transfer Campaign Leads to Impressive Success Gains
Case Study: Share Data on Outcomes and Consequences
Many EvCC faculty and staff assumed high rates of transfer student success
Leadership shared that only ~400 of an estimated 4000 students planning to transfer did so successfully
Data sharing helped launch a collaborative reform effort
EvCC Transfer Campaign Leads to Impressive Success Gains
47% 57%
Increase in transfer out rate,
Increase in bachelor’s degree attainment,

18. Transfer-Focused Faculty Prioritized in Hiring
Case Study: Communicating Importance of Transfer to Mission
President Messner Recognizes HCC Honors Coordinator for Transfer Success
Transfer-Focused Faculty Prioritized in Hiring
Holyoke Community College Honors
UMass Amherst Honors College
“Where are you going next?”

19. Essential Practice 2: Create Clear Programmatic Pathways with Aligned High-Quality Instruction
Work collaboratively with colleagues from partner institutions to create major-specific program maps
Provide rigorous instruction and other high-quality academic experiences to prepare students for four-year programs
Establish regular, reliable processes for updating and improving program maps
Design unconventional pathways, as necessary
Prioritize Transfer:
-Communicate transfer as key component of the institutional mission.
-Share data to increase the understanding of the need to improve transfer student outcomes – and the potential benefits of doing so.
-Dedicate significant resources to support transfer students.
Create transfer pathways with aligned instruction:
-Work collaboratively with colleagues from partner institutions to create major-specific program maps
-Provide rigorous instruction and high-quality out-of-class experiences  to prepare students for four-year programs  
-Establish Regular, Reliable Processes for Updating and Improving Program Maps
-Design Unconventional Pathways, As Necessary
Transfer Student Advising
Community colleges
-Clearly articulate students’ transfer options and help them determine, as early as possible, their field of interest, major of study, and preferred transfer destination.
-Continuously monitor student progress and intervene quickly when students are off-track.
-Help students access the financial resources necessary to achieve their goals.
Four-Year Institution Advising Practices
-Commit dedicated personnel, structures, and resources for transfer students
-Assign advisors and clearly communicate essential information to prospective transfer students 
-Strongly encourage transfer students to declare a major prior to transfer
-Replicate elements of the first-year experience for transfer students
-Exercise fairness in financial aid allocation

20. Relevant career information
Overview of program
Relevant career information
Requirements and information for common transfer destinations
Program-specific “degree-sheets”
Program advisor information
Recommended course sequence
Program advisor information

21. STRATEGY 2: Create Major Specific Program Maps
Exemplar Maps:
EvCC
Broward College

22. Essential Practice 3: Provide Tailored Transfer Student Advising
HOW MANY YEARS WILL IT
TAKE TO COMPLETE
MY DEGREE?
WILL MY CREDITS TRANSFER?
WILL THEY COUNT TOWARD
MY MAJOR?
WILL I BE ACCEPTED TO
THE FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE?
WHAT JOBS CAN I GET WITH
MY DEGREE?
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
Prioritize Transfer:
-Communicate transfer as key component of the institutional mission.
-Share data to increase the understanding of the need to improve transfer student outcomes – and the potential benefits of doing so.
-Dedicate significant resources to support transfer students.
Create transfer pathways with aligned instruction:
-Work collaboratively with colleagues from partner institutions to create major-specific program maps
-Provide rigorous instruction and high-quality out-of-class experiences  to prepare students for four-year programs  
-Establish Regular, Reliable Processes for Updating and Improving Program Maps
-Design Unconventional Pathways, As Necessary
Transfer Student Advising
Community colleges
-Clearly articulate students’ transfer options and help them determine, as early as possible, their field of interest, major of study, and preferred transfer destination.
-Continuously monitor student progress and intervene quickly when students are off-track.
-Help students access the financial resources necessary to achieve their goals.
Four-Year Institution Advising Practices
-Commit dedicated personnel, structures, and resources for transfer students
-Assign advisors and clearly communicate essential information to prospective transfer students 
-Strongly encourage transfer students to declare a major prior to transfer
-Replicate elements of the first-year experience for transfer students
-Exercise fairness in financial aid allocation
For a complete list of questions, see page 34 of The Transfer Playbook.

23. Essential Practice 3 : Provide Tailored Transfer Student Advising
Clearly articulate students’ transfer options and help them determine, as early as possible, their field of interest, major, and preferred transfer destination
Continuously monitor student progress, provide frequent feedback and intervene quickly when students are off-track
Help students access the financial resources necessary to achieve their goals
Prioritize Transfer:
-Communicate transfer as key component of the institutional mission.
-Share data to increase the understanding of the need to improve transfer student outcomes – and the potential benefits of doing so.
-Dedicate significant resources to support transfer students.
Create transfer pathways with aligned instruction:
-Work collaboratively with colleagues from partner institutions to create major-specific program maps
-Provide rigorous instruction and high-quality out-of-class experiences  to prepare students for four-year programs  
-Establish Regular, Reliable Processes for Updating and Improving Program Maps
-Design Unconventional Pathways, As Necessary
Transfer Student Advising
Community colleges
-Clearly articulate students’ transfer options and help them determine, as early as possible, their field of interest, major of study, and preferred transfer destination.
-Continuously monitor student progress and intervene quickly when students are off-track.
-Help students access the financial resources necessary to achieve their goals.
Four-Year Institution Advising Practices
-Commit dedicated personnel, structures, and resources for transfer students
-Assign advisors and clearly communicate essential information to prospective transfer students 
-Strongly encourage transfer students to declare a major prior to transfer
-Replicate elements of the first-year experience for transfer students
-Exercise fairness in financial aid allocation
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ADVISING PRACTICES

24. Essential Practice 3 : Provide Tailored Transfer Student Advising
Commit dedicated personnel, structures, and resources for transfer students
Assign advisors and clearly communicate essential information to prospective transfer students
Strongly encourage transfer students to choose a major prior to transfer
Replicate elements of the first-year experience for transfer students
Exercise fairness in financial aid allocation
Prioritize Transfer:
-Communicate transfer as key component of the institutional mission.
-Share data to increase the understanding of the need to improve transfer student outcomes – and the potential benefits of doing so.
-Dedicate significant resources to support transfer students.
Create transfer pathways with aligned instruction:
-Work collaboratively with colleagues from partner institutions to create major-specific program maps
-Provide rigorous instruction and high-quality out-of-class experiences  to prepare students for four-year programs  
-Establish Regular, Reliable Processes for Updating and Improving Program Maps
-Design Unconventional Pathways, As Necessary
Transfer Student Advising
Community colleges
-Clearly articulate students’ transfer options and help them determine, as early as possible, their field of interest, major of study, and preferred transfer destination.
-Continuously monitor student progress and intervene quickly when students are off-track.
-Help students access the financial resources necessary to achieve their goals.
Four-Year Institution Advising Practices
-Commit dedicated personnel, structures, and resources for transfer students
-Assign advisors and clearly communicate essential information to prospective transfer students 
-Strongly encourage transfer students to declare a major prior to transfer
-Replicate elements of the first-year experience for transfer students
-Exercise fairness in financial aid allocation
FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE
ADVISING PRACTICES

26. Essential Practice 4: Build Strong Transfer Partnerships
Build trusting relationships with partners and communicate frequently at all levels.
Share data on transfer student experiences and outcomes.
Jointly invest in shared support services and strategic initiatives to benefit transfer students.
Collaborate on improving instruction and support services for transfer students.
Designate “transfer champions” as liaisons to transfer partners.
Prioritize Transfer:
-Communicate transfer as key component of the institutional mission.
-Share data to increase the understanding of the need to improve transfer student outcomes – and the potential benefits of doing so.
-Dedicate significant resources to support transfer students.
Create transfer pathways with aligned instruction:
-Work collaboratively with colleagues from partner institutions to create major-specific program maps
-Provide rigorous instruction and high-quality out-of-class experiences  to prepare students for four-year programs  
-Establish Regular, Reliable Processes for Updating and Improving Program Maps
-Design Unconventional Pathways, As Necessary
Transfer Student Advising
Community colleges
-Clearly articulate students’ transfer options and help them determine, as early as possible, their field of interest, major of study, and preferred transfer destination.
-Continuously monitor student progress and intervene quickly when students are off-track.
-Help students access the financial resources necessary to achieve their goals.
Four-Year Institution Advising Practices
-Commit dedicated personnel, structures, and resources for transfer students
-Assign advisors and clearly communicate essential information to prospective transfer students 
-Strongly encourage transfer students to declare a major prior to transfer
-Replicate elements of the first-year experience for transfer students
-Exercise fairness in financial aid allocation

27. Prioritize Transfer:
-Communicate transfer as key component of the institutional mission.
-Share data to increase the understanding of the need to improve transfer student outcomes – and the potential benefits of doing so.
-Dedicate significant resources to support transfer students.
Create transfer pathways with aligned instruction:
-Work collaboratively with colleagues from partner institutions to create major-specific program maps
-Provide rigorous instruction and high-quality out-of-class experiences  to prepare students for four-year programs  
-Establish Regular, Reliable Processes for Updating and Improving Program Maps
-Design Unconventional Pathways, As Necessary
Transfer Student Advising
Community colleges
-Clearly articulate students’ transfer options and help them determine, as early as possible, their field of interest, major of study, and preferred transfer destination.
-Continuously monitor student progress and intervene quickly when students are off-track.
-Help students access the financial resources necessary to achieve their goals.
Four-Year Institution Advising Practices
-Commit dedicated personnel, structures, and resources for transfer students
-Assign advisors and clearly communicate essential information to prospective transfer students 
-Strongly encourage transfer students to declare a major prior to transfer
-Replicate elements of the first-year experience for transfer students
-Exercise fairness in financial aid allocation

28. Prioritize Transfer:
-Communicate transfer as key component of the institutional mission.
-Share data to increase the understanding of the need to improve transfer student outcomes – and the potential benefits of doing so.
-Dedicate significant resources to support transfer students.
Create transfer pathways with aligned instruction:
-Work collaboratively with colleagues from partner institutions to create major-specific program maps
-Provide rigorous instruction and high-quality out-of-class experiences  to prepare students for four-year programs  
-Establish Regular, Reliable Processes for Updating and Improving Program Maps
-Design Unconventional Pathways, As Necessary
Transfer Student Advising
Community colleges
-Clearly articulate students’ transfer options and help them determine, as early as possible, their field of interest, major of study, and preferred transfer destination.
-Continuously monitor student progress and intervene quickly when students are off-track.
-Help students access the financial resources necessary to achieve their goals.
Four-Year Institution Advising Practices
-Commit dedicated personnel, structures, and resources for transfer students
-Assign advisors and clearly communicate essential information to prospective transfer students 
-Strongly encourage transfer students to declare a major prior to transfer
-Replicate elements of the first-year experience for transfer students
-Exercise fairness in financial aid allocation

29. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
In what ways is your institution effective in serving transfer students?
Where do you need to improve?
Are there any low-hanging fruit that would help improve outcomes?
What longer term improvements do you think are feasible?
Prioritize Transfer:
-Communicate transfer as key component of the institutional mission.
-Share data to increase the understanding of the need to improve transfer student outcomes – and the potential benefits of doing so.
-Dedicate significant resources to support transfer students.
Create transfer pathways with aligned instruction:
-Work collaboratively with colleagues from partner institutions to create major-specific program maps
-Provide rigorous instruction and high-quality out-of-class experiences  to prepare students for four-year programs  
-Establish Regular, Reliable Processes for Updating and Improving Program Maps
-Design Unconventional Pathways, As Necessary
Transfer Student Advising
Community colleges
-Clearly articulate students’ transfer options and help them determine, as early as possible, their field of interest, major of study, and preferred transfer destination.
-Continuously monitor student progress and intervene quickly when students are off-track.
-Help students access the financial resources necessary to achieve their goals.
Four-Year Institution Advising Practices
-Commit dedicated personnel, structures, and resources for transfer students
-Assign advisors and clearly communicate essential information to prospective transfer students 
-Strongly encourage transfer students to declare a major prior to transfer
-Replicate elements of the first-year experience for transfer students
-Exercise fairness in financial aid allocation

30. RESOURCES
Tracking Transfer: New Measures of Institutional and State Effectiveness in Helping Community College Students Attain Bachelor’s Degrees
The Transfer Playbook: Essential Practices for Two- and Four-Year Colleges

31. WEBSITE EXERCISE
Imagine you are a student about to register for classes at your community college.
You want to study marketing and transfer to a local four-year university. Go to YOUR COLLEGE’S website, and find the information that you need to select your courses and transfer successfully. Try to figure out what courses you will need to in order to transfer and enter the marketing program at the four-year institution.
Think about the following questions AS THE STUDENT:
Getting Off on the Right Start: What marketing programs are available at nearby universities? What career options are available to you after you transfer and complete the degree? What do salaries look like for these career options? Is this information available to you on either website?
Planning for Program Requirements: What are the requirements for admission to the university’s marketing programs? What classes will the student need to take at YOUR COLLEGE if you want to transfer into a marketing program at the university? How easy or difficult was it to find this information? How many clicks did it take?
Locating In-Person Help: Who would you need to go at YOUR COLLEGE to get information on transfer in marketing? Where would you go to on your campus to find that person? How easy or difficult was it to find this information on your website?
Prioritize Transfer:
-Communicate transfer as key component of the institutional mission.
-Share data to increase the understanding of the need to improve transfer student outcomes – and the potential benefits of doing so.
-Dedicate significant resources to support transfer students.
Create transfer pathways with aligned instruction:
-Work collaboratively with colleagues from partner institutions to create major-specific program maps
-Provide rigorous instruction and high-quality out-of-class experiences  to prepare students for four-year programs  
-Establish Regular, Reliable Processes for Updating and Improving Program Maps
-Design Unconventional Pathways, As Necessary
Transfer Student Advising
Community colleges
-Clearly articulate students’ transfer options and help them determine, as early as possible, their field of interest, major of study, and preferred transfer destination.
-Continuously monitor student progress and intervene quickly when students are off-track.
-Help students access the financial resources necessary to achieve their goals.
Four-Year Institution Advising Practices
-Commit dedicated personnel, structures, and resources for transfer students
-Assign advisors and clearly communicate essential information to prospective transfer students 
-Strongly encourage transfer students to declare a major prior to transfer
-Replicate elements of the first-year experience for transfer students
-Exercise fairness in financial aid allocation