There are many transfer initiatives and best practices that positively impact the transfer student experience. However, academic preparedness can be one of the most important factors in transfer student retention and time to degree. Transfer students who come unprepared for the academic rigor or lack key concepts in foundational courses can struggle after they transfer into upper level coursework. Conversations among Appalachian faculty in key academic departments raised concerns as to the academic preparedness of many transfer students. Some of these concerns were anecdotal but some were supported by data. In an effort to dispel myths but also to ensure that students from our top transfer schools received the type of preparation needed for success after transfer, the Office of Transfer Services collaborated with the academic departments that housed key foundational courses in our top transfer majors; Biology, Chemistry, Math, Physics, Accounting and Economics to engage our community college faculty in a face-to-face meeting on our campus. These conversations led to hosting our 4th Transfer Symposium entitled Curriculum Alignment for Transfer Success. Faculty, staff and administrators from our top transfer community colleges were invited to attend this day-long event. Faculty from Appalachian and our community college partners shared their syllabi, teaching methodologies, and learning outcomes in order to identify gaps in curricula, open doors to communication and identify strategies/initiatives to further support student success. There were several unique aspects of the day that included discipline specific librarians and transfer advisors. Feedback was both constructive and positive!

Submission ID: 

6150

Day:

Monday, July 15, 2019

Time:

8:15 AM - 9:15 AM

Room:

Neopolitan II