The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has been recognized by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society as one of the top four-year universities in the country for creating a dynamic pathway to support community college transfer.
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is the international honor society of two-year colleges and academic programs, particularly community colleges and junior colleges.
UTRGV is among just 65 colleges and universities nationwide recognized as members of Phi Theta Kappa’s Transfer Honor Roll.
Selection is based on criteria that includes engagement, collaboration, impact and achievements related to the transfer of community college students, as well as partnerships, support, admissions outreach, scholarships/financial aid, student engagement opportunities and institutional priorities.
Phi Theta Kappa said the 65 colleges and universities listed offer exemplary programs, initiatives and benefits for community college transfer, and will be featured in the 2017 Phi Theta Kappa Partners in Excellence publication, distributed to higher education leaders around the country. They also will receive recognition on PTK’s website and at PTK Catalyst, Phi Theta Kappa’s 2017 annual convention April 6-8 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, CEO of Phi Theta Kappa, said the new recognition program reflects the growing importance of transfer in helping the United States achieve its college completion goals and promotes 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,” she said. “With this designation, we hope to connect community college students with institutions who value their unique transfer experience and prioritize their success.”
Colleges and universities that provide high-quality transfer programs benefit from the rich perspective and diversity community college students bring to the student body, she said.
“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.”
