EKU Participates in First "Transfer Madness" Event
The number of students who transfer to Eastern Kentucky University from community and technical colleges and other institutions continues to increase, as more and more are taking advantage of scholarship opportunities and the ease and convenience of the process.
For others interested in taking the same important step, the state’s colleges and universities are joining together on Wednesday, March 6, to host Transfer Madness, the first entirely online, statewide transfer fair where students can chat with transfer advisers, search for scholarships, download materials, and get questions answered. Students can register early for the event, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST, at www.transfermadness.org.
This past year, EKU welcomed 1,243 new transfer students, approximately 40 percent coming from the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS). That reflects a sizable increase over the past five years, a trend that Lisa Cox, director of EKU’s Student Outreach and Transition Office, expects will continue. At any given time, approximately 60 percent of EKU students have some amount of transfer credit.
This fall, Crystal Hester will add to that number when she transfers to EKU from Somerset Community and Technical College. Hester, who earned a 4.0 GPA at SCTC and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, has received EKU’s Colonel Plus Scholarship, valued at $2,000 per semester for six semesters. It’s one of four scholarships that transfer students to EKU can seek, just another incentive to seek a four-year degree after earning a two-year associate degree.
Hester, who spoke at a recent event in Frankfort announcing Transfer Madness, said her KCTCS opportunity “has been life changing for me, as a non-traditional student and mother of two. My advisers and the staff of the Transfer Center at SCTC (in particular, Gail Creekmore, EKU articulation coordinator with Transfer Admissions) were so helpful (and) staff at Eastern have been so welcoming and informative. It has made the transfer process wonderful and easy, and I look forward to transferring in the fall.”
In addition, Hester will also have the opportunity join Tau Sigma, a new honorary society for transfer students. Tau Sigma also offers scholarship opportunities as well as the chance to attend a national conference and network with other high-achieving transfer students and others.
As a non-traditional student, Hester will hardly be alone, Cox noted. Approximately 25 percent of Eastern’s undergraduates are 25 or older.
Lt. Gov. Jerry Abramson announced the Transfer Madness event at a Feb. 20 news conference at the Capitol. He was joined by Bob King, president of the Council on Postsecondary Education, and KCTCS Chancellor Dr. Jay Box, as well as Hester and several other transfer students, who spoke on the importance of the transfer to their educational and career goals. Legislators and representatives from the 25 participating universities and KCTCS also attended.
“I applaud our education partners for helping promote awareness about the seamless transition from high school to community and technical colleges to our four-year institutions,” Abramson said. “The best way to improve the quality of Kentucky’s workforce and give our companies strong employees is through a top-notch education system that aggressively promotes a college-going culture that has no barriers in credit transfers.”
Organizers hope the convenience of an online transfer fair will boost student participation since students can access the event from the comfort of their home and at a time that suits their family and work schedules.
“We are excited to bring together colleges and universities with our education partners to smooth the transfer process for students,” said King. “Transfer Madness supports the state’s Stronger by Degrees strategic plan as well as House Bill 160, both of which call for improving the quality of Kentucky’s workforce by increasing the number of Kentuckians who earn a bachelor’s degree. Starting at KCTCS is a great way to help achieve that goal.”
Box said “one of the key success factors in the transfer game is connecting with and developing a relationship with four-year institutions prior to attendance. That is why this Transfer Madness event is so important….and a real slam dunk for everyone involved.”
High school students who plan to begin their educational journey at a community college should also plan to participate.
“Planning ahead for your transfer is critical,” Cox said.
For more information about transferring to EKU, visit soto.eku.edu/transferstudents.
To register for the event and prizes, and to view the list of the participating colleges, universities and education partners, visit www.transfermadness.org
Published on February 23, 2013