Crowdsourcing professional development around student transfer

The transfer space faces a critical gap that is becoming increasingly apparent as transfer discussions become more prominent in the national conversation about education. Even though more institutions are hiring transfer specialists, ongoing support and training for this community continues to be neglected. Historically, transfer has been viewed as an afterthought in this area. It is time to prioritize transferable professional development in higher education; its absence is a significant barrier to student success and institutional effectiveness.

To close this gap we must:

1. Prioritize consistent, translation-oriented training and development programs,
2. Strengthen transfer-oriented networks and communities of practice
3. Integrate knowledge transfer experiences into broader institutional strategies,
4. Promote resources and recognition of transfer as a specialist area and high-impact practice, and
5. Collaborate across institutions, sectors and governments to share best practices and innovative solutions.

Higher education leaders are responsible for developing the transfer profession and equipping transfer professionals with the necessary skills. In our 40 years of translation work together, we have found that when we invest in translation professionals, we are investing in the future of our institutions and the success of our students.

Let’s commit to building a robust, well-supported community of translation professionals who can make meaningful change and ensure that every learner, no matter their path, has the opportunity to succeed.

Key areas of activity

Most transfer-related discussions revolve around three key areas:

1. Challenges Facing Transfer Students
2. Data-driven analytics
3. Institutional and systemic responses

For example, recent Beyond Transfer blog posts have highlighted solutions such as improving transfer assessment using technologyas discussed by Camden Farmer in September 2023. Additionally, Melody Crenshaw and Micol Hutchison explored Virginia’s efforts to help transfer students navigate their many options. Tanya LaViolet also emphasized transmission power in making institutional decisions.

While these conversations are valuable and necessary, they are often overlooked by the professionals who implement these strategies and directly support students. Among these unsung heroes:

• Transfer program coordinators and directors
• Transcript and Credit Transfer Evaluators
• Consultants accompany students during the translation process
• Orientation coordinators work to mitigate culture shock as students transition from one environment to another.
• Policymakers and curriculum managers advocating for learner-friendly systems
• Institutional or system-level leaders advocating for cultural change and improved support
• Student leaders and student staff supporting transfer efforts

Despite their critical role, these professionals are often undertrained and overlooked. Their roles have been examined in various contexts, such as in the discussion of Judy Johnson transfer work upon admission or Brenda Pongratz, Jonathan Dryden and Jonathan Wehner focused on cabinet ministers influencing transfer culture. However, greater institutional participation is essential to truly improve transfer outcomes.

Creation of a single transfer community

There are many industry groups offering resources for transfer professionals, such as:

Other organizations, such as the Council on Adult and Experiential Learning and Student Veterans of America, offer support to specific groups of students. However, these resources are scattered, requiring transmission professionals to bring them together without a central resource hub.

A major challenge in the transfer industry is the lack of coordinated and consistent professional development. Translation staff often learn through trial and error, relying on personal initiative to find suitable resources. This has been our experience as local transfer specialists. Many of those working in the field also feel underprepared to become true transfer experts due to the need for more structured guidance.

Here’s what some professionals told us:

• “Everything except articulation was self-taught out of necessity, with virtually no restrictions.”
• “I developed a skill on the job…a transferable resource? Unfortunately, there really isn’t one.”
• “I wish all transferable (employees) were given one sacred text that would instantly give them the knowledge to do the job, but unfortunately that did not happen.”

Call to action

The transfer community has the right to change this. What is needed is a collaborative platform that will function as the connective tissue for transfer education—the crowdsourcing of knowledge transfer to better serve the community. Such a platform could:

• Develop a centralized website where transfer professionals can share their ideas and access curated resources.
• Invite practitioners, educators, administrators, and students to share their experiences, creating a rich and diverse knowledge base.
• Organize regular virtual and in-person events to network and share ideas.
• Create mentoring programs that pair experienced leaders with those new to the field.
• Create working groups and think tanks to address specific issues such as credit mobility, financial aid, and student support services.

One step in this direction is a new data collection project designed to create a free, transferable knowledge base accessible to everyone. Transfer Nation, an online professional community with nearly 7,000 followers across various social media platforms, is uniquely positioned to get this information from those doing the work. Over the next few weeks, Transfer Nation website will launch this initiative.

This initiative depends on the participation of the entire transfer community. By contributing collective expertise, we can create a dynamic resource that evolves with the changing needs of students and institutions.

Together, we can create a stronger, more connected transfer education community that is better prepared to advocate for and support students throughout their educational and career journeys.