Date: 4/4/12 Dana L. Gibson, President Sam Houston State University Box 2026, SHSU Huntsville, TX 77341-2026 936.294.

1012 dgibson@shsu.edu SHSU Transfer Student Priorities Background: The university works diligently to implement best practices related to transfer students and the goals listed below. Sam Houston State University (SHSU) emphasizes partnering with community colleges and relaying successes with interested universities. At this time, the University of Houston (UH) is working with SHSU offices to enhance their reverse transfer processes. Three years ago the university targeted the transfer student population with increased scholarship opportunities and enhanced processes. Fall 2011 resulted in our largest number of first time transfer enrollment at 2,238. Additionally, our first year retention rates have improved from 76 to 78% for this student market segment. (Fall 2010 to Fall 2011 reporting period) SHSU tracks four year graduation rates for first time transfers which is now at 60%. (Fall 2011 reporting period) The goals listed below target improvements for efficiently educating and graduating transfer students. Goal: Graduate All Students in 120 hours Online Articulation Agreements o The university has online articulation agreements with 45 community college systems. o These articulation agreements provide for transfer of up to 66 semester credit hours for over 50 SHSU majors. o Students following online articulation are assured all courses transfer, allowing them to complete education goals while taking the minimum combined number of hours at the university and community college. Joint Admissions program o The community college identifies that a student is enrolled in a joint admission program so that when the student is advised, the
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transferring institutions requirements are used rather than the community college advising information. o Students are advised from inception only to take classes that will transfer and count in a meaningful way towards their selected university degree program. o The university is working diligently with community college partners to eliminate or decrease the number of lost transfer hours. Student Advising and Mentoring (SAM) Center o Advised upon entering SHSU and each semester as needed. o Are subject to additional advising programs: required advising if they go on probation and when they have thirty of fewer hours left in their degree program. o Mentoring activities available are: Study skills seminars in all areas of academics Transfer Advisory Board Transfer Student Newsletter Transfer Student Meet and Greet Tips for Transfers Fall 2012: Four transfer seminars and new Transfer Student Organizations Goal: Increase Graduation Rates with Associate Degrees Reverse Transfer o SHSU has set a goal to emphasize reverse transfer for all our community college transfer students. o Last year, SHSU sent 1,768 filtered transcripts to 13 college districts to consider for Reverse Transfer degrees. o Using this process, SHSU assisted Blinn College in increasing its associate degree award rate by approximately 20% for the past four consecutive years. They also use the transcripts to award certificates. o Our improved reverse transfer process is currently being implemented with our partner, the Lone Star College System (LSCS). o SHSU, recently assisted UH in implementing our process. o Education on reverse transfer is critical to improving the results and is key to our process. o This spring SHSU sent 10,135 letters to transfer students showing reverse transfer opportunities at 26 community colleges.
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o To date almost 3,500 community colleges have been provided filtered transcripts. Goal: Compress Time to Degree There are marked increases in community colleges participating in Time Compressed Degree Plans within college systems. The LSCS is partnering with SHSU to map the desired approach using SHSUs base model to facilitate the plan. Currently 10% to 12% of LSCS course credits are dual credit. LSCS plans to use the Time Compressed Degree Plan approach to marry local school districts high schools to the college and finally the university. Combining dual credit, joint admission and online articulation should increase the number of graduates in a shorter time span with lower course credits.