Six years running, KU makes Phi Theta Kappa’s transfer honor roll

LAWRENCE — For the sixth consecutive year, the University of Kansas has been recognized for excellence in community college transfer by a national honor society.

KU is one of 171 colleges and universities named to Phi Theta Kappa’s 2022 Transfer Honor Roll, which recognizes excellence in the development of transfer pathways. This honor is awarded to the top 25% of colleges that earned the highest Transfer Friendliness Ratings by completing a Transfer Profile in PTK Connect. 

Honor roll members were scored on criteria like admissions practices, cost of attendance, campus life, recruitment practices and peer reviews.

“Effectively attracting and serving students who begin their college careers at community colleges is increasingly important to KU,” said Matt Melvin, vice provost for enrollment management. “Making Phi Theta Kappa’s Transfer Roll for the sixth time in a row is an outcome associated with the importance we place on transfer students. We want and encourage community college students to continue their educational careers at KU whether through the campus in Lawrence, the Edwards Campus, KU online or through a combination of delivery modes.”

Approximately 25% of students entering KU each fall are transfer students. That population continues to be an area of emphasis for the university and an important part of KU's diversity strategy.

Many schools lump transfer students into the general freshman visit events, and if they do have a program for transfer students, such events are offered a few times a year. In contrast, KU has an admissions representative who works specifically with the transfer student population.

KU offers both in-person and virtual visit options for transfer students with a Transfer Friday visit opportunity to learn about transferring to KU. Details and registration can be found at KU Admissions.

Other ways KU continues to build relationships with transfer students:

• Increasing level of personalization with one-on-one in-person or virtual appointments with admissions representatives focused specifically on transfer students
• A CredTran webpage that allows prospective students to see how coursework from other institutions will transfer to KU and community college transfer guides that offer detailed information on how to transition to KU from local community colleges   
• Personalized outreach to new transfer students to prepare for academic advising and enrollment conversations
• Offering a Phi Theta Kappa scholarship that is only available to transfer students 
• 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 Edwards Campus Transfer Communities, which provide joint co-curricular programming for community college and KU students as well as peer mentoring
• Granting credit hours for military service
• The Degree in 3 program, which allows students from partner high schools and community colleges to earn their degree from KU in three years, and degree completion programs that can be completed through multiple delivery modes and locations
• Continuing to launch in-demand degree-completion programs, such as the new Bachelor of Health Sciences and bachelor’s degrees in project management.

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.

Applications to KU are still being accepted for both summer and fall semesters. To learn more or to apply, visit the admissions page for transfer students.