SUNY Cortland earns distinction for transfer student support

04/07/2020 

For the third consecutive year, SUNY Cortland was the only public university in New York state named to an international honor society’s Transfer Honor Roll.

Phi Theta Kappa, an organization that inducts high-achieving students from two-year colleges, recognized 122 colleges and universities for their success in developing pathways and support services for transfer students. Cortland was the only representative from the SUNY system.

“This is a campus-wide honor that reflects the work of many different areas,” said Greg Diller ’07, Advisement and Transition’s coordinator of transfer student services who led SUNY Cortland’s application with input from several offices. “No matter where they’re coming from or where they are in their studies, our transfer students should know that Cortland is going to support them, especially now during challenging times.”

Many offices remain available to answer questions from prospective transfer students during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the Admissions Office and Advisement and Transition.

SUNY Cortland received 2,049 applications from transfer students in 2019, with 992 undergraduates enrolling. Additionally, 18 Phi Theta Kappa members each earned a $1,000 scholarship from the honor society.

In order to be named to the honor roll, college representatives completed a profile using an online tool called PTK Connect. Institutions then were assigned a transfer friendliness rating based on responses, and the top 25% of highest-rated campuses were recognized.

“The application process (for the honor roll) is involved, and it makes you realize just how much effort goes in to supporting our transfer students,” Diller said.

SUNY Cortland highlights include:

• Advisement and Transition: Housed on the first floor of Memorial Library, this 12-person team is well-prepared in meeting the academic advising needs of all students, especially transfers. Carol Costell Corbin serves as associate director for transfer credit and degree completion and Gregory Ketcham serves as transfer credit evaluator.

• Transfer Planning Sheets and Transfer Equivalency Charts: These online tools help students map out a clear path to SUNY Cortland. The planning sheets outline recommended coursework prior to transferring and the equivalency charts show how credits from various institutions will count at the College.

• Transfer Network Team: This program looks to connect new students with classmates who previously transferred to SUNY Cortland. The goal is to provide social support and authentic student insight on campus opportunities.

• National Transfer Student Week: This week of activities in the fall aims to raise awareness of SUNY Cortland transfer students and celebrate their many contributions to campus. Students enjoy events such as “Transfer Trivia” and faculty and staff members can treat transfer students to lunch.

• COR 201: Modeled after COR 101 for first-year students, this one-credit course introduces new transfer students to academic life and the many ways to create a successful SUNY Cortland experience. An additional section was added in 2019.

• Honors societies and awards: Phi Theta Kappa members from two-year institutions who carry a minimum 3.5 grade point average can earn a $1,000 scholarship upon entering SUNY Cortland. Most transfer students also may join SUNY Cortland’s chapter of the Tau Sigma National Honor Society, which offers additional scholarship opportunities and inducts new members each year.

• Reverse transfer degrees: Transfer students who come from community colleges without completing their associate’s degree may earn it while working towards their bachelor’s degree at SUNY Cortland. This opportunity is particularly useful when pursuing part-time work during college that requires an associate’s degree.

Prospective transfer students can contact the Admissions Office for more information about the application process or Advisement and Transition for more information about resources for support.

Visit the Phi Theta Kappa website for more information on the SUNY Cortland’s recent recognition, including a full list of all 2020 Transfer Honor Roll members.