Webinar Wrap-Up: Transfer Student Week

by | Oct 31, 2019 | Uncategorized

Transfer Week Webinar Series - Wrap-up Reflection
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our most successful Transfer Week Webinar Series yet! This was our second year of participating in the National Transfer Student Week, initiated by the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS). During the series, we teamed up with higher education professionals from across the country each day of the week, Monday through Friday, October 21-25, 2019, to host thousands of registered attendees. Our slate of transfer experts shared their insight on transfer initiatives at their own institutions, and provided tips and ideas on how others can help the transfer students in their own communities.
On Monday, Dena Lawrence and Malinda Aiello helped us tackle Statewide Issues and Transfer Student Support. Dena and Malinda are both experts in the field of transfer, serving in the state of Illinois which has the highest rate of student transfers nationwide. With their combined 38 years of experience in higher education, Dena and Melinda shared their knowledge about the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) and how it has made transfer seamless between over 100 public and private colleges and universities in Illinois.
Tuesday’s webinar featured our first ever panel discussion, featuring Brandy Reeves from Utah State University, Jill Price from Baker College, Laura Butchko from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, and Donna P. Geraci from Xavier University. The focus of the panel was Internal Workflows and Processes. Before the webinar began, we gathered questions from registered attendees and narrowed them down to a selection of topics ranging from internal workflows and processes, systems and technology, internal and external communication, and best practices. If you’re interested in hearing more about these topics, check out the link at the end of this article for Tuesday’s full session recording.
Our third topic on Wednesday featured Articulation Agreements and Equivalency Building with Scott Ziolko from Columbia College of Missouri. As a transfer student himself, Scott’s mission as a Senior Evaluator at Columbia is to “help ease the fear of transfer for students.” Changing our perspective and thinking of transfer through the eyes of the student, can help us understand how intimidating the process can be. If you want to learn more about creating online transfer guides for your higher education institution, be sure to view Scott’s recorded webinar.
We had our second panel discussion on Thursday, covering Transfer Scenarios and Strategies with Zach Gurvis from Colorado State University Global, Sarah Hatfield from University of Minnesota – Duluth, and Deedee Stakley from Ferris State University. Through the lively discussion, Zach, Sarah, and Deedee helped answer questions like, “How do you get transfer students on track to graduate when they’re missing pre-requisites?” and “What can institutions do to make transfer an easier transition as students move between colleges and universities?”
Friday, the final day of the Transfer Week Webinar Series, was devoted to the topic of Serving Transfer Students: Technology and Future Trends. Amber Andrade from California Baptist University/Online shared personal experiences in which TES technology was able to help her streamline student transfer efficiency during California Baptist University’s first round of on-the-spot acceptance for transfer students.
Survey Feedback: 

  • “I learned a lot from the webinars – new tactics and how to most effectively use the technology we already have on our campus.”
  • “I was very impressed by the diversity, quality, and topics presented. It has given me the opportunity to pass this information onto others that can help me implement certain guidelines for our transfer credit process at my institution. Thank you!”
  • “I learned a lot about what is going on in other states, the struggles that are common and different among and between us, and how collectively we all care so much about our students, and we have many hurdles to get through, but technology is helping us each and every day! Many talented speakers with so many accomplishments, and the hosts were excellent too. I enjoyed participating through the questions from the host, and being able to have them share that data with the online audience. I would do it again! Thank you!”

All webinar recordings (with closed captions) and slides are available to watch on the Transfer Week website: https://www.collegesource.com/transfer-week.

0 Comments