Resources

Transfer-Focused Knowledge Center

Empower Yourself with the Latest Transfer Knowledge. Discover NISTS's curated collection of resources will help you navigate the complexities of transfer and improve student outcomes.

National Transfer Student Week

Let's Celebrate Transfer Students! Get involved in National Transfer Student Week and make a difference.

The Journey Before Us: First-Generation Pathways from Middle School to College

This book examines the educational journeys of first-generation Latinx college students, analyzing the systemic factors that impact college completion and offering insights for educators, policymakers, and advocates to support student success.

Giants among Us

This book explores the inspiring journeys of seventeen first-generation college graduates who overcame socioeconomic challenges, highlighting their experiences, activism, and the factors that led to their success while offering recommendations for mentoring disadvantaged students.

First-Generation College Students: Understanding and Improving the Experience from Recruitment to Commencement

A research-based guide for academic leaders and student affairs professionals to understand and support first-generation college students by addressing their unique challenges, enhancing retention, and creating effective educational environments.

First-Generation College Student Experiences of Intersecting Marginalities

This book explores how first-generation college students' intersecting identities—such as race, class, LGBTQ+, and spirituality—shape their educational experiences across diverse populations.

First in the Family: Advice About College from First Generation

Every Student Has a Story: Personal Narratives from First-Generation College Students

A collection of personal essays from first-generation college students at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, highlighting their unique struggles and triumphs in navigating higher education.

50 Things I Wish Someone Would Have Told Me About College: Straight Talk for First Generation College Students FROM First Generation College Graduates

Practical advice from first-generation graduates to help first-generation college students navigate challenges, save time and money, and succeed in school.

WICHE – Search on Transfer

Empowering the West through Education and Innovation. WICHE is committed to improving lives by fostering collaboration, sharing resources, and advancing sound public policy. This link leads to Transfer Reports, best practices and more.

Transfer Opportunity Calculator

Estimating Impact on Equitable Enrollment and Institutional Revenue at Four-Year Colleges and Universities; a tackling transfer report, 2021.

Transfer Advising Strategy Planning Tool

A toolkit for advising transfer champions; a tackling transfer report, 2021.

Texas Transfer Alliance

The Texas Transfer Alliance is a collaboration of Texas universities and community colleges focused on improving transfer student outcomes. The Alliance is led by the Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin, and is guided by representatives from: Texas A&M University System, Texas Association of Community Colleges, Texas State University System, University of North Texas System, and University of Texas System.

Rural Transfer Report

Balancing Individual and Community Needs through Rural Transfer; a tackling transfer report, 2021.

Tackling Transfer Project

Led by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program (Aspen), HCM Strategists (HCM), and Sova, the Tackling Transfer partnership incorporated policy, practice, research, and strategic communications from across three states — Minnesota, Texas, and Virginia — and across the country.

Engaging Faculty Values to Develop Supportive Transfer Cultures

A toolkit for faculty transfer champions; a tackling transfer report, 2021.

Tackling Transfer Research and Tools

Tackling Tranfer Research and Tools. A curated list of reports based on policy and practice for transfer students.

Office of Community College Research and Leadership

The Community College Research Initiatives group at the University of Washington conducts research on equitable access, progress, transfer, completion and employment outcomes for underserved students and diverse learner populations in community colleges. CCRI's team of experts provides strategic guidance to community colleges on using data to improve student success and develops practical tools for transformative change and effective guided pathways.

Minnesota State Equity 2030

In June 2019, we set a critical goal: By 2030, Minnesota State will eliminate the educational equity gaps at every Minnesota State college and university. It is a staggeringly ambitious goal and one that will require both intentional systems and culture change and innovation, as well as advocacy and leadership with partners and stakeholders across the state to accomplish.

The Gardner Institute – Transfer Redesign Process

Transfer and Credit Mobility Initiative

The Community College Research Center (CCRC)

The Community College Research Center (CCRC) at Teachers College, Columbia University, focuses on conducting research to enhance the effectiveness of community colleges, emphasizing the promotion of equity and social mobility for underserved populations. The center provides resources and insights into various aspects of community college education, including student success strategies, policy recommendations, and best practices for improving outcomes.

Tracking Transfer: State-by State Outcomes Dashboard

Tracking Transfer: Community College and Four-Year Institutional Effectiveness in Broadening Bachelor’s Degree Attainment

February 2024 Tracking Transfer Report

Community College FAQs

Aspen Institute College Excellence Program

The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program aims to strengthen higher education leadership and practice to improve student outcomes—with the ultimate goal of advancing economic mobility and developing talent for the good of all people and society as a whole.

AACC – Community College Fast Facts

Community Colleges and Transfer

In 2015-16, more than 95,000 or nine percent of all international students in the US, were enrolled at community colleges, many of whom aspire to transfer to a four-year school to complete their undergraduate degrees (Institute of International Education, Open Doors Report). The resources below provide information on who these students are and information around advising and supporting them on their path to a postsecondary degree.

International Transfer Students

provides an introductory overview of opportunities and challenges around international student enrollment in US community colleges.

Community Colleges: An Unexpected On-Ramp for International Students

provides an introductory overview of opportunities and challenges around international student enrollment in US community colleges.

Post-Master’s Certificate in Transfer Leadership and Practice

A four course sequence that aligns with the Ed.D. at University of North Georgia.

Transfer Services Network

The purpose of the Transfer Services Network is to address the specific transition needs of transfer students and provide support and resources to those who plan orientation, transition, and retention programs for this unique population.

Boosting Student Success

In this one-hour webinar, presenters from the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) and HCM Strategists shared an overview of the TransferBOOST initiative, a multi-year state-level initiative developed to provide students with affordable, quality, well-supported two- to four-year pathways.

NISTS Transfer Policy & Practice Audit Tool (Beta)

The NISTS Transfer Policy & Practice Audit Tool is designed to help you catalog and evaluate the various policies and practices that effect transfer students and others seeking credit mobility at your college or university. The framework may be used by individuals or teams at both transfer-sending and -receiving institutions and will provide a baseline view of what's working well and what may need improvement. Whether you're seeking change within your department/unit or across the institution, your findings can help you build a compelling case for action.

Using Data in Our Work with Transfer Students

Using Data in Our Work with Transfer Students is a practical resource for faculty, staff, and administrators seeking to understand transfer students' varied needs and how to best support their learning and success.

Supporting Transfer Student Success: Five Key Faculty Practices

Supporting Transfer Student Success: Five Key Faculty Practices is designed to help faculty reflect on and reframe the ways they think about, teach, advise, and mentor transfer students. Each section offers a brief introduction grounded in the research and practice literature on transfer, a series of suggested actions faculty can take, and questions to prompt personal reflection or guide conversations with colleagues.

How to Create a Transfer-Centered Website

To answer these questions, NISTS partnered with mStoner to conduct a year-long research project exploring the ideal transfer website. The result of our study is a comprehensive transfer website strategy guide that details best practices and tools for creating and maintaining a transfer-friendly site that addresses students’ top concerns and paves the way for a smooth transition.

Communicating with Transfer Students

Steps to auditing communications are presented.

Advancing Transfer Through Strategic Planning

In this three-part series, Dr. Michael Rosenberg outlines one possible approach--leveraging your institution's strategic plan. By setting goals consistent with what the institution is already trying to accomplish, you can demonstrate how your advocacy for transfer students benefits the institution as a whole.

Advising Community on Transfer Students

With the increase in the transfer student population nationally, two and four-year institutions must develop strategies for effectively addressing the needs of these students. The members of the Advising Community on Transfer Students are from all types of institutions. Our diverse membership includes advisors, admissions professionals, faculty advisors, and advising administrators.

The Transfer Process Defined

The Transfer Process Defined is a resource that outlines the various stages and components involved in the transfer process for students moving between institutions, particularly from community colleges to four-year universities. It provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the challenges and opportunities in transfer pathways, emphasizing the importance of effective advising, institutional collaboration, and supportive policies to facilitate successful transitions for transfer students.

Transfer Admission Starter Kit

Community Colleges/Transfer Special Interest Group

The Community College/Transfer Special Interest Group is designed to engage people in discussion about the unique issues facing community colleges and transfer students. This is a special interest group for the discussion of issues that relate specifically to the students at community colleges and those that transfer from a community college to a 4-year institution.

Lumina Foundation

The Lumina Foundation is a private foundation dedicated to increasing postsecondary education attainment in the United States, focusing on equity and ensuring that all individuals have access to quality education and workforce training. The foundation works to influence policy and practice through research, initiatives, and partnerships aimed at fostering systemic changes in higher education.

Joint Statement on the Transfer and Award of Credit

THIS UPDATED JOINT STATEMENT ON THE TRANSFER AND AWARD OF CREDIT OUTLINES SOUND, EQUITY-MINDED INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR THE AWARD OF CREDIT.

Innovative Educators

Innovative Educators is an organization dedicated to providing resources and support for higher education professionals, focusing on enhancing student engagement and success through innovative practices and strategies. They offer a range of workshops, webinars, and training sessions aimed at equipping educators with the tools needed to foster effective learning environments and improve institutional effectiveness.

CollegeSource Annual Conference

Multi Day event for CollegeSource Users

Transfer Reports

Multiple Research Reports on transfer

Advising Success Network

Our mission is to bring together students, faculty, advisors, and other student support staff to build cultures of care that support students in achieving their personal, academic, and career goals.

Transfer Research

A variety of transfer-related research reports

Institution Bill of Rights and Responsibilities

A listing of rights and responsibilities for transfer-functions within institutions

Transfer Student Bill of Rights

A list of transfer student rights.

Transfer-Related Webinars

Technology and Transfer Summit

Three-day summit geared towards transfer ideas and issues.

Recognition of Excellence in Supporting Transfer Student Success

THIS GUIDE COVERS INSTITUTIONAL BEST PRACTICES FOR FOSTERING TRANSFER STUDENT SUCCESS. AACRAO DEVELOPED THIS SET OF TRANSFER EVALUATION CRITERIA BASED ON A REVIEW OF EXISTING RESEARCH AND PRACTICE TO MEASURE, AND SUBSEQUENTLY FORMALLY RECOGNIZE, INSTITUTIONS AS TRANSFER STUDENT SUCCESS CENTRIC.

Transfer Professional Proficiencies

A group of transfer-related professional proficiencies

Awarding Transfer and Prior Learning Credit

RELEASED IN 2017, THIS GUIDE DESCRIBES EXPECTATIONS AND BEST PRACTICES FOR POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS’ WORK WITH TRANSFER CREDITS.

Guide to Best Practices: Articulation Agreement

THIS GUIDE PROVIDES A BROAD RANGE OF RESOURCES THAT MAY BE USED BY ACADEMIC, ENROLLMENT, ADMISSIONS, TRANSFER, AND RECORDS PERSONNEL AT BOTH ORIGINATING AND DESTINATION INSTITUTIONS

AACRAO EDGE

International Transfer Credit

National Association of College Admissions Counselors

A professional organization for admissions and enrollment managers that also organizes college fairs.

The Transfer Playbook

This playbook is a practical guide to designing and implementing a key set of practices that will help community colleges and their four-year college partners improve transfer outcomes.

Reimagining Transfer for Student Success

The final report of the Task Force, Reimagining Transfer for Student Success, includes a call to action from college and university presidents and chancellors to their peers to improve the transfer of credit policies and practices to better serve students by decreasing the cost and time to a degree.

Tackling Transfer

In an effort to improve transfer student success, the Aspen Institute, CCRC, Public Agenda, and SOVA have released this implementation guide designed to help state entities organize workshops within which teams from two- and four-year institutions work together to improve transfer and graduation outcomes for their students.

Knowing Our Students

New from ASN core partner Achieving the Dream, comes a guidebook designed for institutional leaders and student success teams who are ready to talk openly about the students they serve and who are eager to learn practical strategies from national experts and peer institutions.

(Mis)Understanding Students

(Mis)Understanding Students, updated in 2022, is a resource from the Advising Success Network and NASPA—Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education which offers resources and questions to consider for institutional leaders looking to reflect on their unique student population.

Transfer Tea

AACRAOs podcast on transfer.

Transfer Nation Talks

TransferNation's podcast on transfer issues and transfer professionals.

One Million Degrees

One Million Degrees provides critical support to help empower hundreds of community college students to succeed in the classroom and beyond.

Fostering Transfer Student Success

Addresses the complexities of the transfer process in higher education by providing strategies for strategic planning, curricular innovations, and outreach that emphasize collaboration and relational support to improve outcomes for transfer students, particularly those from vulnerable backgrounds.

New Research Fostering Transfer Student Success

Contemporary research and best practices aimed at improving the transfer experience for students, highlighting innovative strategies that foster academic and social integration across two-year and four-year institutions.

America’s Hidden Economic Engines

Five in-depth case studies reveal the innovative practices that position U.S. community colleges as pathways to quality employment.

What Excellent Community Colleges Do

Josh Wyner identifies community college practices that align with four domains of excellence: degree completion, equity, student learning, and labor market success.

Discredited: Power, Privilege, and Community College Transfer

An incisive investigation of the often fraught student-transfer pathways from community colleges to four-year institutions—and a blueprint for process reform.

Transformational Change in Community Colleges

A comprehensive framework for implementing equity-focused change in higher education by integrating practical applications of Kotter’s Eight-Stage Process and the AACC’s Leadership Competencies, emphasizing the complex and non-linear nature of change within diverse institutional contexts.

Redesigning America’s Community Colleges

Offers a fundamental redesign of the way two-year colleges operate, stressing the integration of services and instruction into more clearly structured programs of study that support every student’s goals.

The American Community College

A comprehensive analysis of community colleges in the United States―updated with the latest research.

Community College is College

This book advocates for the destigmatization of community colleges by examining the purpose, mission, and scope of community college education.

Community College and Beyond

Explores the Latina/o/x student experience and the persistent transfer disparity among Latina/o/x community college students and continues to widen for those seeking to complete their baccalaureate degree.

Ensuring Success for Students Who Transfer

This publication presents evidence-driven career development and professional readiness being infused at various universities and organizations to offset the imperceptible career voice in current transfer literature.

The Impact of a Sense of Belonging in College

This book explores the relationship between a sense of belonging and the intersectionality of student identity and how to integrate this into any approach to fostering belonging.

Relationship Rich Education

Although not specifically about transfer, the book is incredibly relevant to the transfer community and best practices.

Building Transfer Student Pathways

Offers insight into institutional and statewide partnerships that create clearly defined pathways to college graduation and career success for all students.

Beyond Free College

Outlines a national agenda that builds on the best of US higher education’s populist history, such as the G.I. Bill and the community college transfer function.

On My Own

Research-based and provides a detailed, on-the-ground examination of the difficult paths—curricular, interpersonal, and institutional—that students must chart through community college, particularly for STEM students.

The Transfer Experience

Brings together research, theory, practical applications, programmatic illustrations, case studies, encouragement, and inspiration and is supplemented by an online compendium for continual updates of resources, case studies, and new developments in the world of transfer

Power to the Transfer

Aims to provide direction toward the development and maintenance of a transfer-receptive culture using Critical Race Theory as a framework.