MARYLAND TRANSFER INTENSIVE TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE PATHWAYS

Wicomico County, MD - The Maryland Transfer Intensive initiative presents a valuable opportunity for community college students, with Wor-Wic Community College playing an active role in this important statewide collaboration.

Spearheaded by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program and the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), the project aims to significantly enhance transfer outcomes for those seeking to earn bachelor's degrees.

Wor-Wic's involvement in the Maryland Transfer Intensive highlights its strong commitment to supporting local students and contributing to the educational and workforce development of the state. "Participating in the Maryland Transfer Intensive reflects Wor-Wic's dedication to helping local students achieve their academic goals, strengthening Maryland's workforce, and supporting the state's commitment to higher education," stated Deborah Casey, Ph.D., president of Wor-Wic.

This initiative is crucial for several reasons. Transferring from a community college to a four-year institution is an affordable and viable pathway for many Marylanders pursuing higher education, offering significant benefits to families and local employers. Notably, 88% of these graduates remain in Maryland, actively contributing to the economy.

While many Maryland community college students show promise, with 55% enrolled in transfer programs, only 23% successfully transition to a four-year institution within six years. This statistic underscores a need for improvement, which the Maryland Transfer Intensive aims to address. Through effective practices and collaborative efforts involving 25 participating institutions, the initiative seeks to enhance the success of transfer students by implementing data-driven reforms.

The project focuses on three main components: engaging top leadership via a Presidential Steering Committee, recommending improvements in policy and data reporting, and assisting institutional leaders in refining transfer practices. These efforts are expected to lead to significant advancements in student outcomes on a larger scale.

Wor-Wic's active collaboration with state universities to establish transfer pathways demonstrates its commitment to student success. Current agreements with institutions like Salisbury University and the University of Maryland College Park facilitate smooth transitions for students pursuing degrees in fields such as criminal justice, engineering, and pharmacy.

The Maryland Transfer Intensive partnership shares a common goal of increasing bachelor's degree attainment among community college students, a priority for both state leaders and participating colleges. Over the next four years, the initiative will carefully monitor its progress, aiming to set a benchmark for other states looking to implement similar changes.

For more information about the Maryland Transfer Intensive and Wor-Wic's contributions, you can visit the Aspen Institute's website, which aligns with Maryland's commitment to fostering educational excellence and enhancing social mobility.