Navigating the Transfer Maze: Improving Community College Transfer Student Success

Dr. Drumm McNaughton and Joshua Bay, an education reporter with The 74, dive deep into the critical challenges facing community college transfer students and explore innovative solutions to boost their success rates at four-year institutions.

Key Discussion Points

The Transfer Student Crisis:

• Alarming statistic: Only 16% of community college transfers complete bachelor's degrees.
• Fall 2023 paradox: Community college enrollment growth, but declining transfer rates.
• Equity gap: Even lower completion rates for Black, Latino, and low-income transfer students.

Institutional Blind Spots:

• Four-year colleges are often unprepared for transfer students' unique needs.
• Credit transfer nightmares: Wasted time, money, and motivation.
• Culture shock: Stark differences in faculty engagement between 2-year and 4-year institutions.

Guided Pathways: A Beacon of Hope:

• The success of guided pathways model in community colleges.
• Potential for adaptation at four-year institutions.
• Key elements: Comprehensive planning, regular check-ins, clear transfer information.

Policy as a Catalyst for Change:

• The power of centralized, state-level transfer policies.
• Standardizing credit transfers and support services across institutions.
• Leveling the playing field for first-generation and low-income students.

Fostering Belonging in a New World:

• Transfer students struggle with isolation and disconnection.
• Strategies: Transfer-specific orientations, peer mentoring, dedicated organizations.
• Faculty engagement: Recognizing and valuing transfer students' unique experiences.

Adapting to the New Student Landscape:

• Shift away from solely focusing on the traditional "high school to college" pipeline.
• Understand diverse pathways: gap years, returning students, and career changers.
• Need for flexible support systems and reimagined student services.

Diversity in a Post-Affirmative Action World:

• Community college partnerships as a pathway to maintain diverse student bodies.
• Targeted outreach, scholarships, and support for underrepresented transfer students.

Three Key Takeaways for Higher Ed Leaders

1. Centralize and standardize transfer policies at the state level.
2. Forge strong community college partnerships to enhance diversity and access.
3. Create a culture of belonging that embraces the unique experiences of transfer students.

Closing Thoughts

Bay and McNaughton emphasize that improving transfer student outcomes is not just an institutional imperative but a societal one. By breaking down barriers and providing targeted support, colleges can unlock the potential of millions of students, leading to a more educated workforce and a more equitable society.

Read the transcript and extended show summary on our website: https://changinghighered.com/improving-the-experience-for-community-college-transfer-students/

#HigherEducation #HigherEdEnrollment #CommunityCollegeTransfers

About Our Podcast Guest

Joshua Bay is an education reporter with expertise in policy analysis and data-driven journalism. He is currently a staff reporter for The 74, a nonprofit news organization covering America’s education system from early childhood through college and career. 

Joshua’s coverage spans from artificial intelligence in the classroom to Gen Z’s growing apathy towards a college education. With support from his fellowship at the Poynter Institute, Joshua produced a three-part project taking a closer look into the struggles of earning a bachelor’s degree — particularly among community college transfers.

Prior to The 74, Joshua graduated with a master’s degree in education advocacy and policy at Georgetown University. There, he co-developed a policy research report on the educational, housing, and public health outcomes of Washington D.C. residents based on census redistricting.

About the Host

Dr. Drumm McNaughton is the founder, CEO, and Principal Consultant at The Change Leader, Inc. A highly sought-after higher education consultant with 20+ years of experience, Dr. McNaughton works with leadership, management, and boards of both U.S. and international institutions. His expertise spans key areas, including accreditation, governance, strategic planning, presidential onboarding, mergers, acquisitions, and strategic alliances.

Dr. McNaughton’s approach combines a holistic methodology with a deep understanding of the contemporary and evolving challenges facing higher education institutions worldwide to ensure his clients succeed in their mission.