SRU earns honors for support of transfer students
March 21, 2017
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - Slippery Rock University has been recognized for excellence in community college transfer student pathways by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
Phi Theta Kappa is an international honor society headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi and has more than 2 million members supported by 1,250 chapters in all 50 states, various U.S. territories, the British Virgin Islands, Canada, Germany, the United Arab Emirates and Peru.
SRU was one of only 65 four-year colleges and universities - and the only institution from Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education - to receive the honor and be named to PTK's 2017 Transfer Honor Roll.
Winners were selected based on engagement, collaboration, impact and achievements related to the transfer of community college students as well as partnerships, support, admissions outreach, scholarships and financial aid, student engagement opportunities and institutional priorities.
"I am both humbled by and proud of our accomplishments which resulted in this prestigious recognition," said Robert Lagnese, director of transfer admissions and orientation. Our colleagues and friends at the community college level truly support our mission of providing a seamless transition for their students and know transfers are a priority for us in undergraduate admissions.
"The productive partnerships and evolving academic program agreements ensure a smooth matriculation and serve as the foundation for recruiting efforts at regional community colleges. Our centralized service of recruitment, admissions, credit evaluation and degree audit processing in one office sends a strong message of efficiency and expertise."
Phi Theta Kappa CEO Lynn Tincher-Ladner said the honor roll reflects the growing importance of transfer in helping the U.S. achieve its college completion goals and will promote further study and sharing of best practices.
"Increasingly, students of all ages and achievement levels are choosing the community college, not only as their first step, but also their first choice, in the pursuit of a quality, affordable bachelor's degree," Tincher-Ladner said. "With this designation, we hope to connect community college students with institutions who value their unique transfer experience and prioritize their success."
Tincher-Ladner added that colleges and universities that provide high-quality transfer programs benefit from the rich perspective and diversity community college students bring to their institutions.
"These students are scholars, leaders, global citizens, often with higher grade point averages than students who started at the university," she said. "In order to ensure their continued success, the Transfer Honor Roll Program identifies colleges and universities that understand the unique needs of community college transfer students and applauds the dynamic pathways these colleges have created to continue fostering student success at the four-year college."
The 65 colleges and universities named to the honor roll will be featured in the 2017 PTK "Partners in Excellence" publication that is distributed nationally to higher education leaders; and will receive recognition on PTK's website and at PTK's 2017 annual convention in Nashville, Tennessee, April 6-8.
MEDIA CONTACT: Robb King | 724.738.2199 | robert.king@sru.edu