August 24, 2020
NDCC Twitter Chat Summary
So what happened?
On May 15, 2020, we facilitated a Twitter Chat on the importance of transfer partnerships working for transfer students navigating higher education during COVID-19.
In advance, we invited you to read our latest transfer brief that synthesizes themes from a larger body of research on transfer partnerships that focus on improving transfer student outcomes that are relevant to students during and in the aftermath of this pandemic.
Here’s the Transfer Brief we published and sent out prior to the chat.
We are excited to provide a short summary of the chat below and appreciate all the participants from around the country who contributed to this conversation. We are especially grateful to the many partners and colleagues who helped lead this chat as well as those who spent their time to prepare.
Thank you! @nursejeanine, @MCCACSS, @KatieGiardello, @transfertweet, @crisp_gloria, @DrLia7, @NewAmericaEd, @CommunityCCRC, @DR_AEQueen, @pamelaeddy, @XueliWang1, @meikled_john, @kmwb2005, @LeslieD413, @jltaylo, @Makenna19137171, @E_Apple_Meza, @bembrarian, @joycehammer12, @jehollinger, @forakt23, @AustinLambdin, @SheAnnJones, and @mukhtar_layla. We apologize if we missed you in the list!
What did we talk about?
We prepared a number of questions for the chat that prompted great discussions! Here are some of the responses that stood out to us from participants.
How have your concerns for your transfer students changed during COVID-19?
Response from @transfertweet
Institutions must collaborate to facilitate both planned & unplanned transfer prompted by COVID-19. Students not previously considering transfer may find themselves completely confused by the process.
Response from @makenna19137171
For some of the colleges that already have future quarters open, limited classes are available due to COVID. So transfer students who need to fill certain credits that go towards their intended major is becoming difficult or not attainable.
Response from @sheannjones
The continued need for clear, accessible information to students and collaboration between institutions regarding support services course/program information.
What inequities in transfer are spotlighted or exacerbated by COVID-19?
Response from @kmwb2005
Information gaps have been exacerbated… lack of access to network infrastructure has significantly impacted rural and low income geographic access to information and feedback loops.
Response from @makenna19137171
Transfer students who are on financial aid can’t do work-studies or jobs on campus at all lowering their already low income (although it’s common now), as well as having a “quota” to fill and not wanting their opportunity and aid to disappear/go to waste.
Response from @austinlambdin
The inequities in the transfer process would include the possibility of students who struggle with English experience a much more difficult time accessing the resources to transfer online. For those who speak Spanish or other languages, this could seem overwhelming.
What do you see your institution doing on its own or in partnership with other institutions? Who is involved in this work?
Response from @joycehammer12
Our institution is assigning lists of students to call and check-in on to see how they are navigating the situation. The staff are making the calls are those who are teleworking and have been provided training and some faculty are reaching out as well.
Response from @sheannjones
William & Mary has set up a community college team to look at ways to improve and expand transfer #CCRIchat @pamelaleddy
Response from @MCCACSS:
For the last few years, nearly 1,000 faculty, staff, and admins from @MIColleges, @MASUmichigan and @MIColleges institutions have been collaborating on #mitransfer to improve transparency for students and optimize credit transfer across
How are you working with other institutions to support transfer students? Do you consider them partners?
Response from @jltaylo
We (@uutah) are working w/ our @SaltLakeCC partners to strengthen articulation pathways between institutions. Bringing together faculty teams to look at curricular pathways & use data!
Response from @forakt23
We have, at least for the past 20 years, worked very closely with our biggest feeder CC. That work has not slowed down, but not being able to meet in person does hurt some of the work we are trying to do going forward.
Response from @sheannjones
We have three internal offices that support transfer. We collaborate regularly and with our external partners, @MCCACSS and local universities. We’ve continued this work virtually to support existing agreements/programs and build new ones.
How do you see transfer partnerships evolving in your state?
Response from @kmwb2005
Statewide transfer partnerships may need to consider dual admissions processes to mitigate the ongoing communication gap as curricular changes and selective admissions program requirements shift. #CCRIchat #transfer
Response from @joyehammer12
I think more partnerships involving research opportunities for transfer students will become paramount as students who start out as freshman at universities are engaging in research earlier and transfer students need the same experiences to be competitive.
Response from @forakt23
Colorado has pretty solid leadership for state-wide initiatives at this point, so we seem to be on a good trajectory for continual improvement for state-wide transfer.
What aspect of research (our, yours, others) have you found most useful for improving transfer?
Response from @E_Apple_Meza
The disaggregation of data has allowed colleges to really see inequities and equity goals have in turn become a driver in making change. However, in our research we don’t see enough sharing of data between partners to follow students on their transfer journeys.
Response from @XueliWang1
Fan of work of many of you here! Most useful for me is the kind of research that connects all facets of transfer that students both navigate and be affected by. So we see the whole picture and system at work, mindful of intended/unintended consequences.
Response from @makenna19137171
As a student, I did find your research comforting. As you mentioned coming together and supporting “‘our students’”. It meant a lot to know colleges actually care about us and how we’re feeling. It relieved some of the tension from COVID. So I found that helpful!
* If you’d like to read more, here is the whole discussion for each question!