Once again, Wichita State has been named the No.1 transfer destination from Kansas community colleges to public state universities. Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) recently released its annual Transfer Feedback Report, announcing that WSU remains the No. 1 transfer destination for eight years in a row.
Wichita State has also been named the No. 1 transfer destinations for students from Butler, Cowley, Hutchinson, Independence, Coffeyville and Pratt Community College with 942 total students, according to the KBOR data. No other Kansas university eclipsed 700 transfers from Kansas community colleges for the fall of 2017 (the most recent data available for this purpose). On average, transfers entering WSU from Kansas community colleges have a GPA higher than 3.15 and bring in more than 45 hours of transfer credit.
These enrollment numbers are just another example of the effort to provide accessible, life-changing education to more students while working to meet the area’s workforce needs.
What makes the difference?
Community college students who consider Wichita State find that there are many processes in place specifically designed for them. From transfer-specific programming to transfer scholarships to one-on-one academic advising for new transfer students, university personnel provide intentional services for all who make the transition to WSU. Last year, the university’s focus on transfer students was validated by an outside agency, with Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society naming WSU to their official National Transfer Honor Roll.
In addition, university staff regularly visit community colleges throughout the state, giving prospective students multiple opportunities to hear more about WSU while not having to leave their current campus. Over the past year, university personnel hosted WSU-exclusive transfer fairs at multiple community colleges, facilitating direct conversations between future Shockers and the professionals on campus who will serve and advise them after they enter Wichita State.
Transfer students also can often jump into real-world experience opportunities and hone their resumes by connecting immediately with the university’s Career Development Center.
And key stakeholders – community college academic advisors – are engaged in the entire recruitment process.
Last spring, WSU also launched a Transfer Gateway, a student-facing website designed to engage prospective transfer students, answer their key questions and keep them on track to enroll.
Students can use the portal to compare majors and associated career paths to determine their best fit. They also can enter prior coursework and get an estimate of their transferable credits. To date more than 2,986 unique visitors have utilized the Transfer Gateway to determine progress toward a Wichita State degree, with more than 31,504 courses having been entered by those individuals.
“The university strives to reach the benchmark of being Kansas #1 transfer destination each year, and we’re honored to hold that title for eight years running,” says Bobby Gandu, director of admissions. “While we take pride in serving so many transfer students each year, the greatest satisfaction we observe is that they’re successful students contributing mightily to our academic community, securing internships and applied learning experiences, and contributing as leaders in our student life activities.” Gandu adds, “Notably, they’re progressing toward WSU degrees and entering the workforce, ready to contribute on day one of their professional, post-college career.”