KU recognized for excellence in community college transfer pathways

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas has been recognized for excellence in community college transfer by a national honor society.

KU is one of 78 colleges and universities named to Phi Theta Kappa’s 2019 Transfer Honor Roll, which recognizes universities that create dynamic pathways to support community college transfer.

Honor roll members were scored on the following criteria: admissions, campus life, cost of attendance, peer reviews, recruitment practices, and transfer data.

KU’s current freshman class includes 1,117 transfer students, a 3.2 percent increase from the previous class.

“The University of Kansas continues to be an attractive option for transfer students because of our nationally ranked academic programs and the opportunities we offer our community of scholars,” said Matt Melvin, vice provost for enrollment management. “In addition, we continue to make it easier for students to begin their academic career at a community college before transferring to KU to complete their studies.”

Transfer student pathways continue to be an area of emphasis for KU and an important part of KU's diversity strategy. For example:

• In fall 2018, the university launched the KU Edwards Campus Honors Program – an extension of KU’s esteemed University Honors Program – with an eye toward community college transfer students who participated in a community college honors program.

• KU continues to expand the Degree in 3 program, which allows students from partner high schools and community colleges to earn their degree from KU in only three years.

• KU offers scholarships specifically for transfer students, grants credit hours for military service, hosts campus tours and orientation sessions specifically for transfer students, and offers a Transfer Univ 101 course designed with transfer student transition in mind. For details, visit Transfer to KU.

• A working group has been convened with representatives across the university to learn more about the transfer student experience. The working group has completed an inventory of current transfer practices, hosted a conference for current KU students who transferred, conducted a survey with all transfer students, and is in the process of making formal recommendations to the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies.

KU’s efforts to recruit and serve transfer students align with the Kansas Board of Regents systemwide emphasis on transfer and articulation, which is designed to better serve students and families and, ultimately, provide more graduates for the Kansas workforce.