All-inclusive resource offers tips and recommendations for
data building
DENVER, May 23, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- The American Indian
College Fund (College Fund) has published a "Transfer Data
Guidebook for Tribal Colleges and Universities." The guidebook is
the culmination of three years of research conducted under a
$625,000 grant from the Educational
Credit Management Corporation, which examined the transfer
landscape of the seven Montana
tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) to improve student
achievement by creating a cohesive transfer system. Students
receive a supported educational pathway from certificate to
baccalaureate degrees to successfully transfer across the Montana
TCU institutions for on-time degree completion. This new guide
provides information pertinent for TCUs hoping to improve their
student transfer data and processes.
With nearly 40% of all college students transferring at least
once in their academic career, they are a critical yet often
overlooked segment of the educational landscape. The most common
transfer path for students is from a two-year college to a
four-year institution, and many transfer students are
first-generation and students of color. Unfortunately, studies have
shown the majority of transfer students lose approximately 37% of
their college credits when transferring. These factors are
particularly important for TCUs, many of whom predominantly offer
associate degrees to communities largely comprised of Native and
first-generation students.
The guidebook assists TCUs by providing a basic understanding of
transfer processes and supporting the development of transfer data
practices. From software and security to transfer agreements and
advising, the guide covers every aspect of creating transfer
pathways. Utilizing a transfer data system can not only improve
support of students transitioning to another institution but can
also offer analytical insights that colleges can use to further
streamline transfer processes.
This guidebook was made possible due to the cooperation between
the College Fund and the Montana TCUs who participated in surveys,
shared data, and provided a general understanding of the transfer
landscape and programming necessities to help transfer students
succeed. The collaboration led to the involved TCUs establishing 14
articulation agreements and the creation of a universal policy to
support students, prevent credit loss, and assist with on-time
graduation despite transfer. These achievements are examples of
what the College Fund hopes the guidebook will help other TCUs
accomplish.
Vice President of Research, Evaluation, and Faculty Development
at the College Fund, David Sanders,
said, "The Transfer Data Guidebook, developed in collaboration with
the seven Montana TCUs and TCU Institutional Research, staff
provides a comprehensive look at how TCUs might approach supporting
transfer students both in and out of their institutions. It is the
culmination of three years' effort to develop transfer supports
across Montana TCUs and highlights among other important areas to
consider including articulation agreements, data for determining
success support structures, systems infrastructure, etc. As such,
the Transfer Data Guidebook is an invaluable resource for TCUs to
utilize as they develop crucial services to support their students'
mobility."
Sandra Boham, President of
Salish Kootenai College, added, "For
Tribal College students, who represent a large contingent of first
generation, non-traditional, single parent, PELL eligible
populations, a clear pathway for transfer is crucial. If they do
not have a clear roadmap for transfer, they oftentimes find
themselves in their final term of their academic program, very
close to graduation and do not have the financial resources to
complete their programs."
The guide is available for download at
https://collegefund.org/tcu-transfer-data-guidebook-2023. TCUs can
also request a hard copy from the College Fund by emailing
Crystal Hedgepeth at
chedgepeth@collegefund.org.
About the American Indian College
Fund— The American Indian College
Fund has been the nation's largest charity supporting Native higher
education for 34 years. The College Fund believes "Education is the
answer" and provided $17.4 million in
scholarships and other direct student support to American Indian
students in 2022-23. Since its founding in 1989 the College Fund
has provided more than $319 million
in scholarships, programs, community, and tribal college support.
The College Fund also supports a variety of academic and support
programs at the nation's 35 accredited tribal colleges and
universities, which are located on or near Indian reservations,
ensuring students have the tools to graduate and succeed in their
careers. The College Fund consistently receives top ratings from
independent charity evaluators and is one of the nation's top 100
charities named to the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving
Alliance. For more information about the American Indian College Fund, please visit
www.collegefund.org.
Journalists—The American Indian College Fund does not use the
acronym AICF. On second reference, please use the College
Fund.
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SOURCE American Indian College
Fund