Three University of Hawaiʻi campuses were selected to participate in a year-long program designed to improve outcomes for students transferring from community colleges to four-year universities.
The University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu, Honolulu Community College and Kauaʻi Community College were selected for Cohort 4 of the Transfer Student Success Intensive. The program has seen strong outcomes with dozens of schools. It is led by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program (Aspen) and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), and supported by the Ascendium Education Group.
“Transfer student success is a priority at UH West Oʻahu and we are very excited to advance our support of transfer students in collaboration with Kauaʻi Community College and Honolulu Community College,” said Amy Bumatai, project director of the Hoʻokele Huakaʻi Naʻauao grant program at UH West Oʻahu.
“Honolulu CC is honored to participate in the Aspen Transfer Student Success Intensive, as it aligns with our commitment to creating clear, equitable pathways for our students to achieve their academic and career goals. By collaborating with national leaders and partner institutions, we can strengthen transfer opportunities and ensure our students thrive beyond their time at Honolulu CC,” said Susan Nishida, interim vice chancellor of academic affairs.
“Kauaʻi Community College is excited to be part of the team supporting transfer students as they transition from the community college to a four-year college or university,” Kauaʻi CC Transfer Center Student Services Specialist Rhonda Liu said. “We are committed to ensuring success by supporting students throughout their journey to complete their bachelor’s degree online and in-person. We strive to improve their overall student experience before, during, and after transfer, and beyond.”
Cohort four includes 10 teams of 10 four-year institutions and 13 community colleges, representing 10 states. These partnerships will work collaboratively over the next year to create new strategies tailored to each institution and student needs.
Since 2021, the program has supported 91 colleges, including 41 AASCU members, impacting 16,000 transfer students across 23 states. “The Transfer Intensive is a hands-on program that gives institutions research and proven practices that help them reimagine and improve their transfer pathways,” said Tania LaViolet, director of research and innovation at the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “Through this initiative, we are helping institutions address systemic barriers and develop actionable plans that if implemented, should improve transfer rates and bachelor’s degree attainment for students who begin at community colleges.”
The Transfer Intensive offers institutions access to a research-based curriculum, individualized consultations, and workshops to accelerate institutional progress toward transfer reform. Participating institutions will focus on data collection, goal setting, and peer learning to enhance outcomes for transfer students in the communities that they serve.
For more information about the Transfer Student Success Intensive, visit https://highered.aspeninstitute.org/transfer-intensive/.
