Handbook: Maximizing Student Transfer

According to a recent report^* from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, Transfer & Mobility: A National View of Pre-degree Student Movement in Postsecondary Institutions,* over one-third of all post-secondary students transfer among institutions within five years; and about half of all such students transfer to a four-year institution, regardless of whether they start at a two- or four-year institution. Moreover, the 2009 National Survey of Student Engagement^* found that transfer students are less engaged over time.

Faculty can play a key role in facilitating student transfer. ChemEd Bridges,^* an NSF-funded project, has developed a preliminary edition of Maximizing Our Impact in the World of Student Transfer: A Handbook for Chemistry Faculty . The Handbook is based on a 2011 ChemEd Bridges invitational workshop on opportunities and strategies for chemistry faculty to enhance student transfer. Participants were chemistry faculty from two- and four-year institutions, and representatives from student support services, administration, and ACS.

The purpose of the workshop—and the Handbook—is to help chemistry faculty

1. Understand the student transfer landscape
2. Learn how partnerships can facilitate student transfer
3. Share effective practices in student transfer

• Student Transitions to Four-Year Institutions
• Partnerships for Improving Education and Facilitating Transitions
• Resources for Chemistry College Transfer Students

• Division of Chemical Education Committee on Chemistry in the Two-Year College
• Committee on Minority Affairs
• Committee on Professional Training
• Society Committee on Education