Transfer Coherence
The Transfer Coherence component of the Cultivamos Excelencia project focuses on building the capacity for academic departmental understanding of Latinx Transfer student success and identify actions they can take to improve Transfer Coherence (Zemsky et al., 2018; Ward, 2020; Park and Ngo, 2021; Sublett & Orenstein 2021).
We define Transfer Coherence as intentionally integrating community college coursework and transfer student experiences into department curricular design and advising practices. This is grounded in creating a Transfer Receptive Culture (Jain et. al 2020) and continues to develop the skills of equity minded practitioners to engage in Practitioner Inquiry as a Driver of Change (Dowd et al. 2015).
Building a transfer receptive culture, one champion at a time
Awareness
Become transfer aware by building foundational knowledge about transfer experiences, transfer hotspot, friendly, and must be spaces.
Actions
Become a transfer agent by using knowledge about transfer pathways to create welcoming spaces and to build relationships to develop and apply a transfer mindset to their actions.
Advocacy
Become a transfer champion by leveraging your institutional position to engage in continuous advocacy, intentionally prioritize support for transfer students of color, bridge gaps in equity, and remove barriers to success
What to expect:
- Transfer Awareness and Action Workshop led by TLC: Participants will gain insight into Transfer Student experiences and will learn the components of a Transfer-Receptive Culture. More details coming soon!
- Transfer Receptive Culture Toolkit: This toolkit is designed for faculty and departmental staff to explore important topics for transfer student success. Topics can be explored in any order. Each section has a general format of an overview of the topic, including readings for a deeper understanding and tools for implementing action.
- Transfer Summits: Taking place in 2026 and 2027, these summits will convene key individuals (faculty, staff, and administrators) from UCSC and our Community College Partners who hold similar roles.
Research and resources
Check out this Infographic to learn more about the experiences of transfer students at UCSC.
Jain, Dimpal, et al. Power to the Transfer: Critical Race Theory and a Transfer Receptive Culture. Michigan State University Press, 2020
Chenportillo, Lezra. First Gen Transfer: A Transfer Guide for First-Generation California Community College Students. 2nd ed., San Jose City College, 2023.