TRANSFER OUT

CONTINUOUS PROCESS IMPROVEMENT PLAN FALL 2014

1 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Team Members……………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………3 Project Statement ………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………….……4 Glossary of Terms ………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………….….……5 Background ……………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………….…….….…..7 National Association for College Admission Counseling Transfer Data (nacacnet.org)………………………………….……..9 Top Ten Transfer Schools for Students………………………………………………………………………….11 Current Process………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...12 HFC Website Links to Transfer Credit…………………………………………………………………………………………….…..15 Student Transfer Survey Questions……………………………………………………………………………………………..……16 Student Transfer Survey Results……………………………………………………………………………………………………….17 Community College Transfer Process Responsibility Comparisons …………………………………………………………….20 Community College Transfer Process Definition Comparisons ………………………………………………………………….21 Factors Impacting Transfer Process ……………………………………….…………………………………………………….…….23 Factors Relationship.……………..……………………………………….……………………………………………….……………..24 Process Recommendations………………………………………..…….…………………………………………………………..……….25 Steps to Include in Transfer Out Process …………….……..………………………………………………………..………………27 Steering Committee Feedback………………………………………………………………………………………………………….28 Implementation Timeline ……………………………………………………………………………….………………………….……29 Transfer Implementation Team Recommendation...……………………………………………………………..……………….30 Acknowledgements….…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...…...31

2 TEAM MEMBERS

Team Sponsor

Lisa Jones Copprue , PhD, Vice President for Student Affairs Team Leader

Elizabeth Gierada , Records Associate IV Team Scribe

Lorraine Paffenroth , Admissions Associate III Team Members

Deborah Glazer , Counselor and Adjunct Faculty Connie Morang , Enrollment Associate II

Karen Richards , Assistant to Associate Dean - Counseling

3

PROJECT STATEMENT

To create a seamless transfer credit process as measured by clear and defined steps with a website that meets our student’s needs, through a central hub of information on the HFC website.

4 GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Advisors/Counselors: Designated personnel who advise students with course and program choices during their academic career. Articulation Agreement: A formal, written document agreed upon by two or more institutions that provide a value- added component to a traditional transfer program by allowing additional transfer credits, enhancing the number and quality of learning options or by providing unique student-centered options such as preferred admission, student support, financial assistance, etc. Common Types of Transfer: • Vertical Transfer: A student who transfers out from a 2-year institution to a 4-year institution • Lateral Transfer: A student who transfers out from 2-year to 2-year or 4-year to 4-year institution • Reverse Transfer: A student who transfers out from 4-year to 2-year institution Dual Enrolled Student: A high school student registered for college level courses. College credit is applied to their high school diploma and can be used as credit toward a college certificate or degree. Equivalency: Two courses from two different institutions that are determined to be equal to each other and if completed by the student could be used to meet a requirement at another school. FTIAC: A student who is enrolled in their first semester at college after receiving their high school diploma or GED or First Time In Any College. General Education: The program of liberal arts requirements that is included in all degree programs at an institution. It may have some differentiation based on a degree or major, but general education coursework typically includes core skills to a variety of disciplines, such as social science, humanities, and natural science. Hawkmail: Student email account at Henry Ford College. MACRAO Transfer Agreement: “The MACRAO Transfer Agreement is designed to facilitate transfer from community colleges to baccalaureate colleges and universities. It provides for transferability of up to 30 semester 5 credits to meet many (and in some cases all) of the General Education Requirements at participating Michigan four- year colleges and universities. Students may complete the MACRAO Transfer Agreement as part of an associate degree or as a stand-alone package. Once the specified set of courses is completed, the courses will transfer and be applied toward meeting the general education requirements at the 4-year college or university. While many Michigan colleges and universities honor the MACRAO Transfer Agreement, some participate in a more limited manner. Students should check with the receiving institution regarding their transfer policies. MACRAO: The Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. MACRAO Stamp: An indicator on a transcript identifying that a student has successfully completed the course requirements to satisfy the MACRAO Agreement. MTA: The Michigan Transfer Agreement is a statewide agreement modeled from the original MACRAO Agreement, and designed to facilitate the transfer of general education requirements from participating community colleges to participating 4-year colleges and universities. This agreement was developed by the State of Michigan’s Committee on the Transferability of Core College Courses and maintained and updated from time to time by MACRAO. The MTA will take the place of the MACRAO Transfer Agreement beginning Fall 2014. MTA Stamp: An indicator on a transcript identifying a student has successfully completed the course requirements to satisfy the MTA.*” Transfer Guide: A guide that provides a list of courses which, if completed at one college or university, will meet specific requirements at another college or university for program or major requirements. Transfer Student: A student who is transferring academic credit from one college or university to another. University Center: A collaboration or agreement between two or more institutions of higher education that work to help students reach their academic goals. These centers allow for 4-year institutions to have a presence on a Community College campuses. * Definitions taken from MACRAO.org

6 BACKGROUND

The transfer process as defined by the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) is a “Student movement within higher education providers and the institutional processes supporting students who may move with credit applicable to a degree or certificate.” Why is this so important? NACAC reported that 50 to 80% of first time community college students have indicated an interest in transferring out of one institution to another to earn a higher degree. It is estimated that only about 25% of students who initially enroll in a community college will transfer vertically*.”

The transfer student market is one that Henry Ford College (HFC) could easily and cost effectively tap into and grow. We have current students who have already indicated on their admissions application that they plan to transfer. Data obtained from the HFC Retention Committee shows that fewer than 14% of HFC students transfer vertically**. The most common type of student transfer is vertical which is a student transferring out from a 2-year to 4-year institution. Vertical transfer has also been referred to as traditional, forward, or upward. Students who transfer from a 4-year to a 2-year school are categorized as reverse transfers. Lateral transfers are those students transferring from one 2-year to another 2-year, or transferring from one 4-year to another 4-year.

The NACAC studied National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) data from 2012. They discovered that nearly 50% of all undergraduate students are enrolled in a community college. In the fall of 2006 NACAC found that approximately one-third of the 2.8 million students who began their postsecondary education transferred at least one time before earning any type of degree. Further, the majority of students who do transfer vertically are successful in obtaining a degree. It was found that 61.6% of postsecondary transfers, based on a cohort of students who started at a two-year institution then transferred out to a four-year institution, successfully completed a four-year degree six years after transferring. Statistics identified that more than 70,000

7

International students who are currently enrolled in a community college have plans to transfer to a 4-year institution to complete their undergraduate degree.

NACAC data shows that support that comes from student connections with faculty, advisors, peer mentors, and other college staff is one of the most critical factors in a student’s transfer success. Other keys to vertical transfer success are full-time enrollment, not stopping out, and earning an associate’s degree prior to transferring. HFC needs to identify the students who intend on transferring out and build a process or pathway that will support and guide them in making a plan to reach their higher education goals. HFC needs to stay connected with students to ensure they are successful while they work towards their goal.

Henry Ford College has multiple student populations which include First-Time-In-Any-College (FTIAC’s), transfer, and dual enrolled students. Our dual enrolled student population is comprised of high school students from the surrounding area. HFC dual enrollment programs include: The Henry Ford Early College, Advancement Plus, and the Collegiate Academy. These high school students are already earning college credit that can be used toward an HFC certificate or associate degree program. These different student populations offer HFC the opportunity to move beyond the process of recruitment, to increased retention, with clear pathways toward graduation. In creating and implementing a new transfer process, Henry Ford College will provide transfer students a clear pathway to obtaining their academic goals.

*Data obtained from the National Association for College Admissions Counseling NACA as examined from the National Student Clearinghouse in 2013 at http://www.nacacnet.org/research/transfer/KeystoSuccsss/Pages/What-Do-the-Demographics-Tell-Us.aspx. **The current measure for HFC transfer-out information was examined from the Retention Committee reporting with data uploaded from The National Student Clearinghouse for Fall 2013. The next two pages contain statistical representations that were obtained from the nacacnet.org website to provide visuals of the data discussed in the above paragraphs. 8 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION COUNSELING TRANSFER DATA (NACACNET.ORG)

9 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION COUNSELING TRANSFER DATA (NACACNET.ORG)

10 TOP TEN TRANSFER SCHOOLS FOR HFC STUDENTS As of Fall 2014

868

644

365

129 84 80 73 58 49 48

Wayne U of M Eastern MI Madonna Univ. of Univ. of Michigan Central MI Oakland Univ. of State Dearborn Univ Univ PHX Detroit St. Univ. Univ. Univ. Michigan Univ.

Statistical data obtained from the HFC Retention Committee who collected this as of Fall 2014 from the National Student Clearinghouse. The Retention Committee’s goal is to increase transfer to 4 year colleges and decrease transfer to 2 year colleges. 11

CURRENT PROCESS

What is HFC’s current transfer process? In our research we found that there is no formal process . There is no designated area that is responsible for transfer and no transfer information that has been communicated to key stakeholders at HFC. We found that there are hard copies of transfer guides and articulation agreements that exist in the counseling office. There are articulation agreements located on the G drive. We learned there is a special project currently underway by Academic Affairs to relocate these documents to the curriculum website. Collation of this documentation would provide a historical record of articulation agreements as well as house these agreements in a central location. The articulation agreement project is targeted for completion in December 2014.

We recognize that curriculum changes are ongoing. All printed materials and web content require continuous review for updating in an effort to provide students with the most accurate information. In examining the current process we have discovered there are outdated and incomplete materials in multiple locations, including the HFC website, filing cabinets in the counseling office, and old articulation agreements on the HFC shared drive. These multiple locations are what currently serve as “the hub” for all information related to transfer. We have identified overlapping efforts between departments in the handling of articulation transactions. At the same time, counseling has been trying to maintain the transfer guide updates. Most importantly, there is little if any communication that exists between the departments.

In reviewing transfer information available through the HFC website at hfcc.edu/transfer we discovered a broken link to an error box that reads, “Object not found!” In searching for transfer information on our website, we found no clear pathway to identify the process. Nor did we find an easy access to information that would be useful for our students. Our “hunt and peck” search was difficult at best. We were able to identify a total of 21 links that were either incomplete or outdated (refer to “HFC Website Links to Transfer Credit” on page 15). As

12 HFC staff members, we had difficulty and were frustrated. We knew if we found our search to be this difficult, prospective and current students must be having the same experience. With today’s technological improvements and the ease in which prospective students can obtain information from our counterparts, it would be easy for them to move along from the HFC website to shop for other college options.

With that in mind, we wondered if there were current students who had tried to find transfer information on the HFC website. We developed a list of survey questions for the Office of Marketing and Communications to send out to HFC student hawkmail accounts. We wanted to determine the following information: What student population did they represent? What were their goals at HFC? Had they tried to look for transfer information at the HFC website? Were they familiar with transfer terms? Had they reached out for support from someone at HFC? (Reference “Student Transfer Survey” on pages 17 – 19.)

We also reviewed other community college websites for comparison. At the Schoolcraft website (schoolcraft.edu/transfer) we found both options to transfer in and out. On the transfer out page there is a clearly defined pathway to “Transferring Schoolcraft Credits to Another College or University”. This webpage offered links to transfer guides, articulation agreements, The Michigan Transfer Agreement, The MACRAO Transfer Agreement, and course equivalencies. Written information encourages students to meet with an academic advisor or counselor to help them make a plan to transfer out and it contained a disclaimer that explained School transfer process could change from year to year. They include a 5-step plan for students who are planning to transfer. Schoolcraft’s transfer in option “Transferring Credits to ” provides a clear pathway for High School or Technical School Credit students to transfer credit into Schoolcraft. There are links for high school and non-high school articulation agreements available. Options also include opportunities for earning credit through ACE military credits, CLEP, and Advanced Placement. Both web pages are easy to navigate and user-friendly for prospective and current students.

At the Lansing Community College website (lcc.edu/transfer) we found transfer information categorized similar to the Schoolcraft site, but with a list of links to the various types of transfers, transfer guides by program by school, General Education Core, MACRAO and MTA crosswalk links. This was a little bit more difficult to

13 navigate but much easier than what HFC had to offer. The Macomb Community College website (macomb.edu/transfer) also offered a clear pathway to transfer information.

We were curious as to who was responsible for transfer guides, articulation agreement, and transfer information at other institutions. Our contacts at area community colleges identified who was responsible for transfer processes (refer to the “Community College Transfer Process Comparison” chart on page 22). Our inquiries helped us identify who should be responsible for transfer credit at HFC.

We also interviewed people in the various departments here at HFC who might work with transfer information. In reaching out to the Associate Deans we were able to identify that it is primarily faculty who act as liaisons with other colleges to put together our articulation agreements. One part-time adjunct counselor was assigned to maintain and update transfer guide information.

In conclusion, our team found the current transfer process to be disconnected. HFC frontline staff are not aware of what the current process is or where to look for information. Searches at the HFC website have been unproductive and lead to outdated and inaccurate information. HFC staff are not confident in the transfer information we have available on our website and not comfortable in delivering this information to our students. In conclusion, we need to create a pathway for transfer information to assist students in the transfer process.

14 HFC WEBSITE LINKS TO TRANSFER CREDIT

Content Inventory/Review: Transferring Credits This document is a sample and may contain incomplete information. See URLs in Excel document. Item From To Section URL

Transferring HFC Credits to Other HFC 4-YR Counseling https://www.hfcc.edu/campus-life/counseling/university-transfer Colleges & Universities Transfer Out From HFC to a HFC 4-YR R&R https://www.hfcc.edu/registration-and-records/transfer-out College or University After Classes (section on Current Students) HFC 4-YR Unknown https://www.hfcc.edu/current-students Michigan Transfer Agreement HFC 4-YR R&R https://www.hfcc.edu/registration-and-records/mta Transfer HFC Credits to Other HFC 4-YR Counseling https://www.hfcc.edu/campus-life/counseling Colleges & Universities (No HFC HFC 4-YR http://www.sienaheights.edu/LandingPages/Dearborn.aspx presence) Secondary Partnerships High school HFC Admissions https://www.hfcc.edu/admissions/secondary-partnerships Advancement Plus High school HFC Admissions https://www.hfcc.edu/admissions/steps-advancement-plus Dual Enrollment High school HFC Admissions https://www.hfcc.edu/admissions/steps-dual-enrollment Transfer Credits to HFC High school HFC Admissions https://www.hfcc.edu/admissions/transfer-in-agreements How to earn College Credit NOW! High school HFC Admissions https://www.hfcc.edu/admissions/middle-high-school-students/college-credit (No HFC Collegiate Academy High school HFC http://dearbornschools.org/programs/284-collegiate-academy presence) (No HFC Henry Ford Early College High school HFC http://www.henryford.com/body.cfm?id=50627 presence) Advanced Placement (AP) High school HFC Admissions https://www.hfcc.edu/admissions/advanced-placement Middle school; Tips for Middle & High School Students HFC Admissions https://www.hfcc.edu/admissions/middle-high-school-students High school Prior College Level Learning Various HFC R&R https://www.hfcc.edu/registration-and-records/prior-college-level-learning CLEP Various HFC Admissions https://www.hfcc.edu/admissions/clep HFC or Transferring In/Out of Henry Ford College Various CIS https://cis.hfcc.edu/transfer 4-YR Student How do I transfer credits? Various HFC https://www.hfcc.edu/student-services/faq#979 Services Steps to Enrollment Veterans HFC Veterans https://www.hfcc.edu/veterans/steps Pathways Various Various Catalog https://www.hfcc.edu/catalog/pathways

15 STUDENT TRANSFER SURVEY QUESTIONS

Due to the complexity of finding transfer information on HFC's website, and the Counseling Department's experience working with students seeking transfer guidance, we had a suspicion that most students were unknowledgeable about the transfer process, in general, and unaware of resources available at HFC, in particular. With this notion in mind, we decided to survey our students through their hawkmail accounts.

16 STUDENT TRANSFER SURVEY RESULTS

November 2014 Response number = 736

1. Are you a Dual-Enrolled Student? (Enrolled in high school while also taking college courses) Frequency Percent Valid Cumulative Percent Percent Yes 33 4.5 4.5 4.5 Valid No 700 95.1 95.5 100.0 Total 733 99.6 100.0 Missing System 3 .4 Total 736 100.0 2. Are you planning to get an Associate Degree at HFC? Frequency Percent Valid Cumulative Percent Percent Yes 594 80.7 81.0 81.0 Valid No 139 18.9 19.0 100.0 Total 733 99.6 100.0 Missing System 3 .4 Total 736 100.0

17 STUDENT TRANSFER SURVEY RESULTS

Continued…

3. Are you planning to transfer to a 4-year college or university after you leave HFC? Frequency Percent Valid Cumulative Percent Percent Yes 665 90.4 90.8 90.8 Valid No 67 9.1 9.2 100.0 Total 732 99.5 100.0 Missing System 4 .5 Total 736 100.0 4. Do you know where to find transfer information on the HFC website? Frequency Percent Valid Cumulative Percent Percent Yes 321 43.6 43.7 43.7 Valid No 414 56.3 56.3 100.0 Total 735 99.9 100.0 Missing System 1 .1 Total 736 100.0 5. Do you know what a Transfer (Curriculum) Guide is? Frequency Percent Valid Cumulative Percent Percent Yes 299 40.6 40.8 40.8 Valid No 433 58.8 59.2 100.0 Total 732 99.5 100.0 Missing System 4 .5 Total 736 100.0

18 STUDENT TRANSFER SURVEY RESULTS

Continued…

6. Do you know what an Articulation Agreement is? Frequency Percent Valid Cumulative Percent Percent Yes 175 23.8 23.9 23.9 Valid No 558 75.8 76.1 100.0 Total 733 99.6 100.0 Missing System 3 .4 Total 736 100.0 7. Do you know what MACRAO or MTA are? Frequency Percent Valid Cumulative Percent Percent Yes 126 17.1 17.2 17.2 Valid No 607 82.5 82.8 100.0 Total 733 99.6 100.0 Missing System 3 .4 Total 736 100.0 8. Have you spoken with a HFC Counselor about transferring to a university? Frequency Percent Valid Cumulative Percent Percent Yes 256 34.8 34.8 34.8 Valid No 479 65.1 65.2 100.0 Total 735 99.9 100.0 Missing System 1 .1 Total 736 100.0

19 COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRANSFER PROCESS RESPONSIBILITY COMPARISON

The data above is a comparison of the process by which each community college receives and updates their transfer information.

20 COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRANSFER PROCESS DEFINITION COMPARISON

COLLEGE ARTICULATIONS TRANSFER (CURRICULUM) GUIDES COURSE EQUIVALENCIES Lansing Community Articulation is a term used to Two types of transfer programs : Students planning on transferring to a Sorry, the page you requested was not found. Please check College describe the process that facilitates four-year institution should be aware that universities and colleges differ the URL for proper spelling and capitalization. If you're having the transition of a student from widely in the courses they accept for transfer. In order to achieve maximum trouble locating a destination, try visiting the LCC home page one educational institution to transferability of course work, students should consult an academic advisor or browse the A-Z index. another, or from one level of with Academic Advising, Suite 200, Gannon Building. education to the next with minimum duplication of Transfer guides are available for many, but not all, possible transfer coursework.Lansing Community programs. Students are encouraged to contact the Admissions Office at the College will engage in partnerships transfer institution of interest if there is not a transfer guide available for a and articulation opportunities preferred major or institution. It is the student's responsibility when whenever this will enhance transferring from LCC to be aware of the transfer institution's policies and students' success and increase program requirements. Transfer guides and additional transfer information access to advanced educational may be obtained online, or by contacting: opportunities. LCC Academic Advising Center Gannon Building, Suite 212 Telephone: (517) 483-1904 Fax: (517) 483-1970

Washtenaw Community WCC has articulation agreements Transfer Guides are the “maps” that students intending to transfer to a four - The following Institutions have their own transfer course -for - College in various program areas with the year institution should be following. Each transfer institution typically has a course equivalency tables on their websites. Click on the following four-year institutions. To Transfer Guide for specific majors; and they also typically have Transfer hyperlinks below and follow the instructions per institution. view a specific articulation Guides for those students who may still be undecided or are planning to agreement, click on the name of transfer in a Liberal Arts direction. WCC Counselors are available to help all the college or university. transfer students in interpreting the Transfer Guides (as well as helping select or narrow the choices of a transfer institution). Because not all Transfer Guides meet WCC's graduation requirements, students need to cross reference the chosen Transfer Guide with the specific degree requirements

of their chosen degree Grand Rapids Articulation Agreements With Preparation For Transfer: The College Research Center is a self -serve The following links will take you to online equivalency guides Community Coll. Four-Year Schools: (list of colleges) center for transfer college information located in the Counseling and provided by the transfer institution. This will allow you to Career Center. The College Research Center contains college catalogs of check how your GRCC courses will transfer. The college all four-year Michigan colleges as well as many catalogs of two-year catalogs will allow you learn more about your transfer school. Michigan colleges. Getting Ready to If your transfer institution does not provide an online transfer Transfer: When applying to a baccalaureate (4-year) institution, you equivalency guide, you should contact the Counseling and should apply at least a year in advance. Use the guide to help you plan the Career Center for additional information and assistance in application process and follow this list of steps as you complete the transferring. process. Be aware this is only a guide and some schools may recommend applying sooner. Also, competitive programs may have an earlier application deadline.

21 COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRANSFER PROCESS DEFINITION COMPARISON

COLLEGE ARTICULATIONS TRANSFER (CURRICULUM) GUIDES COURSE EQUIVALENCIES Schoolcraft College Schoolcraft College has signed Many colleges and universities create transfer guides to assist you in the To help students determine which courses are transferable nearly 40 agreements that allow transfer process. Of those schools that have guides, many do not offer to a college or university, we have provided links to those greater acceptance of programs guides for all majors. Additionally, some schools only provide transfer schools who house the lists on their websites. These and courses that are not typically guides for general education requirements. If you cannot find a transfer equivalencies can be helpful in determining how a specific transferable. These articulations guide for your selected major, or need more information, contact the class at Schoolcraft College will transfer to a college or serve as a bridge and give academic department at the college where you plan to transfer. Paper university. This is not an all-inclusive list. If the college or Schoolcraft College students copies of many of these transfer guides are also available in the university you wish to transfer to is not listed below, please additional options, such as three Counseling office located in the McDowell Center, room 275. contact that school directly for transfer information. years at Schoolcraft and one year Select a college or university from the list below: Additional equivalency information can be found at the

at the college or university. Links Michigan Transfer Network. to the college’s website or a PDF file of the agreement is below:

Henry Ford College The articulation agreements are Transfer Guides are the outlines of classes that students intending to Equivalency guides are alphabetical listings of HFC classes guides for students following transfer to a 4-year educational institution should follow. Each transfer and their transferability to other educational institutions. specific programs at HFC. These institution typically has a Transfer Guide for specific majors. It also has Lists for many Michigan colleges and universities are are also available on a help Transfer Guides for those students who may be undecided or are planning available on a help-yourself basis in Counseling. Michigan yourself basis in Counseling to transfer in Liberal Arts. HFC Counselors are available to help all College Mall online can also provide course equivalency

students interpret the Transfer Guides, as well as select or narrow down information. the choices of a transfer institution. HFC’s University Transfer, Advising, and Career Counseling Center currently has Transfer Guides on “hard copy” of the major institutions in Michigan. Below are the transfer institutions that currently have their Transfer Guides available online. Select the transfer institution below and then select the program (Transfer Guide) that you wish to see. These Transfer Guides are formatted to allow you to print up a hard copy exactly as it appears in our office. As additional institutions make the Transfer Guides available, they will also appear as links.

The data above is a comparison of the definitions involved in the transfer process in which each community college references.

22 FACTORS IMPACTING TRANSFER PROCESS

23 FACTORS RELATIONSHIP

24 PROCESS RECOMMENDATIONS

It is time that a clear transfer process be defined. We need to bring together key players from various departments to implement a functional transfer credit model, mirroring current working models of our community college counterparts. Once the new transfer process has been created and implemented, transfer contact leads will need to be assigned for each area. Training will need to be developed, scheduled, and mandatory for all staff who work with students to help them learn this new process.

It is important that communication of this new transfer process be introduced to the HFC community. We feel awareness is key to those who disseminate information to our students. As HFC stakeholders we all need to be in the know. This communication will eliminate incorrect information from being shared with our students. The new process will be communicated to our students and college partners. New students will learn about the transfer process during new student orientation. Current students will learn about the new process through email blasts. A marketing campaign that includes social media will be developed to promote the transfer pathways to prospective students. The new process will be structured to compliment the “Recruitment” and “Student Planning” tools that are scheduled for implementation in the Winter of 2016. We will host a transfer event for our students, inviting our counterparts who participate with our University Center or have articulation agreements with HFC. In creating a pathway for students we build bridges to our higher education partners.

The transfer contact leads will be responsible for making sure this new transfer process is effective. This will include periodic review and update of transfer content to articulation agreements, transfer guides, and at hfcc.edu/transfer. These leads will be responsible for communicating new or updated information to all areas of HFC working with the transfer process. They will also be responsible for continuous process improvement efforts moving forward.

25 The original student survey will be sent out one year after the transfer process has been implemented. The results will be measured against the current information to see if there is increased awareness regarding the HFC transfer process. The HFC Retention Committee will compare National Student Clearinghouse results to measure improvement. A survey will be created for Enrollment Services and Counseling staff for their feedback to determine if they find the process user-friendly.

The transfer CPI Team end goal is to create a new transfer model; a central hub for our prospective, current, and dual enrolled students that will provide them with the excellent student service they deserve. Further, we want to enhance the HFC student service standard, as this is our competitive edge. We need to exceed the standard by which our competitors deliver their service. We need to be the model that other institutions will use as a measure to adopt for their transfer processes.

In conclusion we feel that developing and implementing a clearly defined transfer process will enable HFC staff to guide our students in setting up an educational pathway. Goals such as obtaining a certificate, getting a two- year or four-year degree, or completing multiple stackable degrees will be achievable. In assisting and providing our students with current transfer information we will be able to support and guide them in this academic venture. We would improve our students’ return on their financial investment. We would increase HFC’s return on their investment with improved retention and graduation rates. While educational freedom will always be a cultural philosophy at HFC, improved retention and graduation rates will align us with the Gainful Employment strategies mandated by the Federal Government. A defined transfer process will give us the opportunity to support students in reaching their educational goals while assisting them in maintaining their financial stability, and potentially saving them from increased student loan debt upon completion of their degree program. It is a win-win for them and HFC.

26

STEPS TO INCLUDE IN TRANSFER OUT PROCESS

READY ! Explore Your Educational Goals • Is a Bachelor’s Degree for me? • Meet with a counselor to develop your plan to get there. SET! Understand Your Options for Transfer Transfer Guides Definition here Articulation Agreement Definition here MACRAO/MTA Definition here Course Equivalencies Definition here GO!

Start the Transfer Process • Visit the website at the college or university of your choice • Apply early • Request HFC send official transcripts

27 STEERING COMMITTEE FEEDBACK TEAM: Transfer Guidance DATE: December 12, 2014 SPONSOR: Dr. Lisa Copprue

IDEAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: SUPPORT: 1. Develop and implement a user-friendly central information hub for our students on the HFC website as a single repository of transfer out information 2. The Central Information Hub should include information and links to: Articulation agreements, Transfer Guides, MACRAO/MTA Agreements, Degree Programs, Course Equivalencies, Stackable Degree Information, Dual Enrollment Pathways, Certificate/Associate/Bachelor Degree Pathways, Prior Learning Credit/Non-Traditional Credit, HFC University Center, Tuition Comparison Guide, Career Resource Center (Salaries associated with degrees), Obtaining Transcripts, Out of State Schools, and College Visits

3. Training materials and schedule for counseling and other departments

4. Communication to the HFC Community on the new transfer process

5. Identify a Transfer Coordinating Committee to monitor the process, make recommendations for improvement, make sure updates have been facilitated, and communicate change

6. Implement a component of transfer guidance into the orientation process 7. Continued measuring of transfer and graduation statistics using National Student Clearinghouse data 8. Repeat student survey and continue graduate survey to measure the effectives of the Central Transfer Hub 9. Incorporate a marketing and recruitment plan (that includes social media) to position HFC as a premier institution of higher learning that actively supports student goals for advanced degrees and fosters student success Team Feedback Meeting - Date: ______SPONSOR: Dr. Lisa Copprue LEADER: Elizabeth Gierada

28 IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE

29 TRANSFER IMPLEMENTATON TEAM

We recommend the following people be part of the Transfer Implementation Team. These are members of the HFC community who have experience with or knowledge of how the transfer process will work, and the impact it could have on our students. This team would be an integral part of determining how this process will be incorporated in their department.

Dr. Lisa Copprue (Student Affairs/CPI Transfer Sponsor) Amy Ducher (Academic Affairs/Catalog) Gary Irwin (Marketing and Communications) Nikole Ford (Enrollment Services) Shaun Stevens (Transfer Credit Evaluation/Graduation/Commencement Team Leader) Imad Nouri (Counseling) Micah Webner (Information Technology)

The Counseling Department should be responsible for the transfer process. They are on the frontlines and work with our students daily to ensure their academic success. They can critique this new process and give recommendations for improvement. Counselors would be best suited at giving student feedback. This would provide us with the knowledge we need to ensure we maintain the effectiveness and success of this process.

30 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Dr. Stanley Jensen Dr. Lisa Copprue Amy Ducher Maria Buffa Nikole Ford Holly Diamond Imad Nouri Dr. Tracy Pierner Dreama Pinkowski The Retention Committee HFC Students NACAC (nacacnet.org) National Student Clearinghouse MACRAO (macrao.org)

Thank you for providing us with the support, information, and resources to move forward with this recommendation.

31