The Transfer Experience

Edited by: John N. Gardner, Andrew K. Koch, and Michael J. Rosenberg

At last there is a handbook that everyone in higher education can use to help increase transfer student success. This comprehensive resource has been brought together to meet the need for a truly holistic approach to the transfer experience. The book brings together research, theory, practical applications, programmatic illustrations, case studies, encouragement, and inspiration, and is supplemented by an online compendium for continual updates of resources, case studies, and new developments in the world of transfer.

Based on a totally different way of thinking about, understanding, and acting to increase transfer student success, The Transfer Experience goes far beyond the traditional, limited view of transfer as a technical process simply about articulating credits, a stage of student development, or a novel enrollment management strategy. Rather, the book introduces a stimulating array of new perspectives, resources, options, models, and recommendations for addressing the many needs of this huge cohort – making the academic, civic, and social justice cases for improving transfer at both transfer-sending and transfer-receiving institutions.

Reviews for The Transfer Experience

“As a former vice president of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at one of America’s leading community colleges, and as a three-time University Chancellor, I have attended more conferences and read more books about student success than I can recall. The Transfer Experience, edited by Gardner, Rosenberg, and Koch, is clearly one of the best I have ever read. Filled with proven nuggets of successful initiatives, this is required reading for faculty and administrators who are committed to creating a more equitable and successful system of postsecondary education. College access, student success and equity are core principles of democracy and each is achievable.”

Charlie Nelms

Chancellor Emeritus, North Carolina Central University & Vice President Emeritus - Indiana University

"The Transfer Experience is a gift to educators who view transfer as a social justice imperative. Transfer matters now, perhaps more than ever, and the text offers the most comprehensive, evidence-based analysis of the transfer experience. The authors offer a transformational view of the transfer journey that goes beyond a mechanistic, processual experience. Shattering outmoded transfer assumptions, the authors take care to present a more thoughtful, holistic view of transfer keeping in mind that underserved, first-generation, adult learners should be assisted in every way to fulfill their hopes and dreams of earning a bachelor’s degree. The text offers fertile ground for significant equity and justice dialogue, transformational changes and policy considerations."

Laura I. Rendón

Author of Sentipensante Pedagogy: Educating for Wholeness, Social Justice and Liberation, Second Edition, Stylus

“Transfer is a vital mechanism for closing the racial and income equity gaps in higher education, as well as an unnecessarily complex issue that too often leaves students stranded on their academic journeys. I share the authors’ holistic philosophy of the transfer student experience and particularly appreciate their emphasis on the student’s pre-transfer academic preparation. This handbook is an essential tool for ensuring these students are propelled to degree completion.”