University Recognized for Commitment to Transfer Students

For the second year in a row, the University of New Haven is the only school in Connecticut to be recognized by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society for its dedication to supporting transfer students.

August 4, 2021

By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communications

When Haley Radisic ’23 was a high school student and deciding where she wanted to go to college, the University of New Haven was one of her top choices. Although she initially ended up attending a different school, she later decided to transfer to the University as a sophomore.

A national security major, she has been enjoying her time at the University of New Haven, and she says the transition to becoming a Charger was seamless.

“The transfer process was extremely easy for me,” she said. “Colby Vere was my transfer adviser, and she made the process simple and enjoyable. As a student, I have had amazing professors who either worked or still work in the field. The University offers an environment that I loved since I toured the campus my junior year in high school.”

The University endeavors to provide a support system and a pathway for transfer students, such as Radisic, to become Chargers. These efforts have again been recognized by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK), a prestigious honor society that includes millions of members and chapters in nearly a dozen nations. PTK included the University in its 2021 Transfer Honor Roll, which recognizes colleges and universities for their commitment to and investment in transfer students, and the dynamic pathways they create to support them.

“This recognition highlights the University’s continuing commitment to providing access to a private undergraduate education for transfer students and community college graduates,” said Corinne Merjave, director of transfer enrollment at the University. “Transfer students have various backgrounds, and traditional one-size-fits-all practices are not always transfer-friendly. As a student-centered University, we anticipate and acknowledge the differing pathways our transfer students take to arrive at the University.”

‘Proven outcomes for transfer success’

The University was recognized among the 151 institutions nationwide named to the Transfer Honor Roll. This is the second year in a row that the University was the only school in Connecticut to be included.

“The Transfer Honor Roll reflects the growing importance of recognizing and responding to the needs of transfer students,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, Phi Theta Kappa president and CEO. “This award is given to four-year colleges and universities with proven outcomes for transfer success. They are the best at providing a supportive and smooth transition from community college — equating to increased rates of bachelor’s degree attainment for transfer students.”

Supported by a $100,000 grant from The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, the Transfer Honor Roll recognizes schools that are evaluated in six areas: transfer data, admissions, cost, campus life, recruitment practices, and peer reviews. Schools were selected based on a “Transfer Friendliness Rating,” determined by a profile they create in PTK Connect, PTK’s online tool that helps students find a college that is right for them.

‘It was the best choice I made’

Merjave says that, despite the challenges the pandemic has presented, the University has continued to support transfer students, providing educational access in a variety of ways.

“The University offered financial support in increased merit-based Transfer Scholar Awards this past year,” she said. “This included free courses during intersessions, the flexibility to defer, as well as continuing to recognize the diligence of Phi Theta Kappa students by awarding more than four times the amount of Phi Theta Kappa scholarships than in previous years.”

For Radisic, the national security major, transferring to the University has been a positive next step in her academic career. She encourages other students thinking of transferring to not be afraid to also take that step.

“Do what is best for your education and for yourself,” she urges. “It may be the best decision you make, and as someone who’s been there, it was the best choice I made concerning my well-being and my education.”