Advisory group collaborates on how to serve transfers

The University of North Georgia (UNG) continues to grow the ways it supports transfer students. It awards scholarships designed for them, offers a network of peers who serve as transfer coaches, and recognizes those who have gone above and beyond to help these students with Outstanding Transfer Champion awards.

Another initiative that is enhancing services to this student population is a transfer advisory group started during the 2021-22 academic year. It brings together staff from a variety of departments to address challenges and barriers that affect transfer students during the onboarding and transition stage to aid with degree completion. The goal is to ensure a seamless process for this specialized student population.

"We want to help these students find their niche on campus," Chantelle Tickles, Nighthawk Engagement and Student Transitions (NEST) assistant director for transfer and transitions, said. "We want to create a transfer-inclusive culture."

While these students transfer to UNG with college experience, they also have to adjust to the systems and requirements specific to their new university. Emily Kittrell, assistant director of the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS) based on UNG's Dahlonega Campus, said the advisory group is a unifying force in shining a light on that learning curve.

"Having representation from multiple offices ensures widespread two-way communication so that everyone on campus feels informed," Kittrell said. "Group members can share information and concerns from their departments, but they can also take back new ideas and opportunities for engagement."

One of the main aims of the group is to help everyone on campus understand they have a role in making transfers feel welcome.

"Making sure our students succeed through college and beyond is a collaboration between faculty, staff and the students themselves," Hannah Reed, Undergraduate Admissions associate director for communications and marketing, said. "We all have to contribute to their success."

In addition to Kittrell, Reed and Tickles, the transfer advisory group includes:

• Judith Brauer, NISTS associate director
• Christopher Bryan, Graduate Admissions associate director
• Merci Rivera, Distance Education and Technology Integration assistant director for online student success and UNG Online campus coordinator
• Caroline Samples, UNG assistant director of learning support
• Maggie Segnitz, assistant director of Academic Advising
• Rebecca Spearman, assistant registrar
• Rachael Williams, NEST coordinator of transfer and transition programs

Anyone who has ideas on how to better serve transfer students can reach out to these group members.