As we continue to work our way through the nation’s challenging fiscal crisis, many senior student affairs officers (SSAOs) at
U.S. colleges and universities are dealing with budget
cuts, dismantling programs, and anxiety about the
future. Surprisingly, at the same time, one portion of
higher education—the community college sector—is
experiencing a different set of circumstances, includ-
ing dramatic increases in enrollment and the accom-
panying challenges of accommodating the influx of
new students.
Students
Community colleges have quickly become a pathway for
many students to begin their educational journeys. The low
costs, flexible scheduling, and accessibility offered by community colleges have sparked an increase in the numbers of students choosing to attend these institutions. But what happens
when it is time for these students to move to four-year colleges
or universities? Are they ready to face the challenges that lie
ahead at new institutions?
Transfer students are often overlooked, and many become
lost in the shuffle as they transition from community colleges to four-year institutions. Some transfer students experience great difficulty adjusting to their new environments
academically as well as socially. Barbara Townsend, who
was one of the leading authorities on the study of transfer
students, noted that less attention is shown to transfer students despite the fact that they experience more difficulty
integrating into campus environments than native students.
