The UNITE-LA Postsecondary Systems team recently completed a Community of Practice (CoP) focused on student-centered transfer pathways with Cal Poly Pomona (CPP) and their feeder community colleges. Cal Poly Pomona, a key partner in the L.A. Region K-16 Collaborative and the L.A. Compact, has been a part of UNITE-LA’s broader transfer pathways work since 2017. This CoP was dedicated to refining transfer pathways and addressing regional equity gaps, with a strong focus on supporting underrepresented student populations.

Utilizing a design-thinking approach, over the course of the summer, eight CPP staff members from across campus and partners from two community colleges engaged in data walks, empathy interviews with students and collaborative ideation sessions to explore the experiences and challenges associated with the transfer process. The goal was to prioritize student voices, uncover barriers and identify actionable solutions to improve transfer student outcomes. Through this collaborative process, the CoP identified two key solutions to improve the transfer experience.

The first solution focuses on addressing transfer student challenges in high-demand disciplines by ensuring that articulation agreements and credit mobility requirements are accurate. This effort will help streamline the transfer process and support students in completing their degrees more efficiently. The second solution involves developing a transfer-focused resource page to streamline processes such as accessing financial aid, transfer unit tracking and career services. This centralized resource aims to simplify access to critical information and promote a sense of belonging by minimizing bureaucratic barriers, helping transfer students feel more supported and connected.

CPP staff are now working across campus offices to put these plans into action over the course of the academic year. Stay tuned for updates as these initiatives come to life and positively impact student success! For more information about Student Centered Transfer Redesign, please contact Matthew Moor at [email protected].