Academic Mobility: Perspectives on the Future of Transfer
Fueled in recent years by a difficult economy and the increase in non-traditional routes for educational attainment, transfer continues to be a central focus in higher education. The United States offers the greatest degree of inter-institutional student mobility and the most extensive system of portability of academic credit in the world. However, many obstacles to seamless transfer persist. Transfer of academic credit-already a complex issue in its own right-has become a highly politicized topic of debate among the public and policy community.
To fully understand the transfer student population, one must recognize that students bring with them varied backgrounds, experiences, and academic portfolios. Today, the "2-plus-2" model is only one of many options. There are also "reverse transfers" (4-year to 2-year), "lateral transfers" (2-2 or 4-4), "swirling students" (co-enrolled in two or more schools simultaneously), to name just a few. Transfer students also pose special challenges - and opportunities. The transfer pool is much more transactional. One thing is certain: The number of students who transfer is increasing, and the complexity of dealing with those students' needs has brought on more questions and concerns for professionals in the field.
AACRAO's Transfer Conference will bring together practitioners and managers from admissions, retention, enrollment management, transfer center, and registrar organizations to discuss and debate current issues in transfer. Experts will share their ideas, information, and solutions for working with different transfer student populations.
AACRAO has led the discussion in the transfer debate and this year's program will delve deeper into the critical areas of transfer. A stimulating combination of thought provoking plenary sessions, workshops, and roundtable discussions will develop best-practice guidelines for handling transfer issues and provide strategies for implementing mandated outcomes.
Accepting Corporate Presentations
The Call for Transfer session proposals is now closed. Individuals employed by organizations offering goods and services to institutions of higher education may serve as presenters only through the corporate presentation category. For information on corporate presentations and fees, contact AACRAO's Marketing Department at (202) 293-9161 ext. 6102 or via e-mail at corporateinfo@aacrao.org .
