Somerset Community College Aiming to Transform Transfer Process in the State | SCC

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    Somerset Community College Aiming to Transform Transfer Process in the State

    Published on Sep 28, 2023

    SCC classroomSomerset Community College (SCC) is aiming to transform the transfer process in the state through an initiative directed at fostering seamless transfer processes for community college students. The University Center of Southern Kentucky (UCSK) at SCC has joined forces with Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), Lindsey Wilson College (LWC), Morehead State University (MSU), University of Kentucky (UK), and Western Kentucky University (WKU) to launch an improvement community focused on reducing extraneous credits at the time of baccalaureate degree completion through streamlining the transfer transition from community college to university.

    This collaborative effort mirrors the first improvement community in the state between WKU and Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC) and is part of a broader commitment to enhance the transfer process and educational opportunities for students through improvement science techniques. Focusing on significant partnership building, process mapping, and action planning, SCC and four-year institutions seek to bridge the gap that often exists for transfer students. 

    “With so much positive energy in Kentucky around supporting transfer right now, the timing couldn’t be more perfect to scale up efforts to improve the transfer experience for Kentucky’s students,” said Dr. Beth Collins, Associate Director of the Kentucky Student Success Collaborative with the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE). “Improvement science bridges the divide between knowing something will work to knowing how it will work reliably across diverse contexts and populations.”

    The partnership between the UCSK, SCC, and its four-year counterparts – EKU, LWC, MSU, UK, and WKU – is rooted in the shared vision of making higher education more accessible and attainable, particularly for transfer students. With a focus on providing comprehensive transfer advising and support services, the project seeks to increase the success rate of transfer students. SCC President, Dr. Carey Castle stated, “The connection of the university partners and SCC has been a real benefit to our students, especially how it serves this region. We are seeing a real advantage for students and the businesses we serve.”

    Key components of this innovative collaboration include curriculum alignment, streamlined application process, scholarship(s) and financial aid, transfer advising and academic support, and increased communication between the UCSK/SCC, and four-year partners. Dr. Korey Bruck, Director of the University Center of Southern Kentucky said, “By focusing on identifying potential issues with the transfer process, we have the opportunity to correct breakdown in communication, correct pathways, and align our work with CPE’s goal of increasing baccalaureate degrees awarded within six years by 7%. I am excited to begin this work with our partners and continue to build our relationships in helping students in Kentucky.”

    This project launched on September 25 and will continue through the current academic year. As this project unfolds, it is expected to empower SCC students to pursue their dreams of higher education at four-year institutions, ultimately enriching the workforce and communities they serve.