Transfer Guides (and More!)

09/20/22 • 41 min

Improving the transfer experience for students is a high priority for a lot of institutions, and nationally making transfer better is a huge conversation. In this episode, we hear from a faculty member from the University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Lauren Schudde, who has conducted research on the transfer process from a 2-year institution to a 4-year institution. In a lively discussion that ranges from systemic inequality to transfer articulations to football weekends, we hear some recommendations for registrars offices and others across institutions about ways to guide transfer students through the process.

Key Takeaways:

Transfer students need easy access to publicly accessible (and student-focused) transfer guides that help them determine how the transferability and applicability of their earned credits will advance them toward the goal of earning a bachelor’s degree.
Registrar’s offices are often responsible for significant parts of a holistic transfer guide: the coding of the degree audit, and the production of the institution’s Catalog. Incorporating accurate, up-to-date requirements and policies in a transfer guide is critical for transfer students who might be researching potential transfer destinations.
True change with regards to improving the transfer process will need to be a comprehensive adjustment of people’s understanding about their responsibilities, the role they play in the process for their institution and in support of transfer students, and may require policy/legislative remedies.
Transfer is a huge topic and to better address all of the various topics relating to transfer, AACRAO will be launching a brand new podcast this fall called The Transfer Tea, hosted by Loida Utley. Look for it later this fall!

Hosts:

Sarah Reed, Registrar
University of California Hastings College of the Law

Doug McKenna, University Registrar
George Mason University

Guests:

Dr. Lauren Schudde
Associate Professor, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy
University of Texas at Austin https://education.utexas.edu/faculty/lauren_schudde

Additional Resources:

AACRAO Re-Envisioning Transfer

Schudde, L., Bicak, I., & Meghan, S. (2022). Getting to the core of credit transfer: How do pre-transfer core credits predict baccalaureate attainment for community college transfer students? Educational Policy. https://doi.org/10.1177/08959048211049415

Schudde, L., Jabbar, H., Epstein, E., & Yucel, E. (2021). Students’ sense making of higher education policies during the vertical transfer process. American Educational Research Journal, 58(5), 921–953. https://doi.org/10.3102/00028312211003050

Core Competencies and Professional Proficiencies:

Transfer & Articulation

Interpretation and Application of Institutional and External Data

Holistic and Systemic Thinking

Key Takeaways:

Transfer students need easy access to publicly accessible (and student-focused) transfer guides that help them determine how the transferability and applicability of their earned credits will advance them toward the goal of earning a bachelor’s degree.
Registrar’s offices are often responsible for significant parts of a holistic transfer guide: the coding of the degree audit, and the production of the institution’s Catalog. Incorporating accurate, up-to-date requirements and policies in a transfer guide is critical for transfer students who might be researching potential transfer destinations.
True change with regards to improving the transfer process will need to be a comprehensive adjustment of people’s understanding about their responsibilities, the role they play in the process for their institution and in support of transfer students, and may require policy/legislative remedies.
Transfer is a huge topic and to better address all of the various topics relating to transfer, AACRAO will be launching a brand new podcast this fall called The Transfer Tea, hosted by Loida Utley. Look for it later this fall!

Hosts:

Sarah Reed, Registrar
University of California Hastings College of the Law

Doug McKenna, University Registrar
George Mason University

Guests:

Dr. Lauren Schudde
Associate Professor, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy
University of Texas at Austin https://education.utexas.edu/faculty/lauren_schudde

Additional Resources:

AACRAO Re-Envisioning Transfer

Core Competencies and Professional Proficiencies:

Transfer & Articulation

Interpretation and Application of Institutional and External Data

Holistic and Systemic Thinking

Previous Episode

Women Supporting Women

In this episode, three women share their experiences with supporting and being supported by other women and what that support has meant for their careers and themselves personally. In a lively conversation, we discuss ways that allies can and should provide support, as well. Sara Sullivan, Becky Keogh, and Beth Warner talk about dealing with slights, lifting others up, the changing AACRAO leadership demographics, and dealing with that little inside voice.
Key Takeaways:
Women can and should support women because women are not always great at supporting themselves. It’s important to acknowledge the women who were on the path ahead of you who opened doors, and recognize that there are women on the journey behind you for whom you are blazing a trail.
Allies can support women in a variety of tangible ways: mentorship, opening doors to opportunities, giving credit appropriately, giving clear, actionable feedback are just a few.
Don’t be afraid to be yourself, to bring all parts of you to bear in your work. Don't worry about whether someone thinks you’re taking up “too much space” or “being emotional.”
Hosts:
Sarah Reed, Registrar
University of California Hastings College of the Law
Doug McKenna, University Registrar
George Mason University
Guests:
Sara Sullivan
Associate Registrar
University of Iowa
Becky Keogh
Senior Associate Registrar
Michigan State University
Beth Warner
Associate Registrar
University of Wisconsin - Madison

Next Episode

Responding to a Weather Emergency

We are seeing an increase in the frequency and strength of major weather events, or emergencies caused by weather events: Hurricanes, snow storms, wildfires, etc. In this episode, we use the backdrop of Hurricane Ian to discuss preparedness for weather emergencies on campus.

Key Takeaways:

A Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) is a critical document that enables rapid and thorough response to an emergency situation. If you haven’t reviewed your COOP, or if you don’t have a COOP, start there. Your emergency management team should be able to assist.
Registrar’s offices have a specific set of responsibilities that need to be accounted for in the case of an emergency; planning for a worst case scenario is a good idea. Assume no power, no internet, and no system status for some period of time.
Designated, authorized individuals in the registrar’s office may need to create a “driveaway kit” that includes information about student class schedules, emergency contact information, and any other critical forms, documents, or information that your institution may need.
Often, the majority of the work relating to a weather emergency happens once the storm (or event) itself has passed. Maintaining flexibility, understanding, and working with compassion with your staff, your students, and your faculty can go a long way to restoring some semblance of normalcy.
Being able to coordinate with other registrars is very helpful! AACRAO and your regional association can help you make those connections.

Hosts:

Sarah Reed, Registrar
University of California Hastings College of the Law
[email protected]

Doug McKenna, University Registrar
George Mason University
[email protected]

Guests:

Brian Boyd
University Registrar
University of Central Florida
[email protected]https://registrar.ucf.edu/

Additional Resources:

ready.gov - Federal resource for emergency planning

Continuity of Operations Plans - FEMA guidelines

Core Competencies and Professional Proficiencies:

Leadership and Management

Collaborative Decision Making