A recent audit of transfer and articulation agreements between Nevada\u2019s public institutions of higher education showed a marked improvement of collaboration between the seven degree granting intuitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Transfer and articulation agreements are meant to create pathways for students to move credits seamlessly between one institution and another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For some, they enroll and graduate from the same institution; however, for many others they transfer among institutions during their pursuit of higher education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A 2015 report, conducted by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center found that more than one-third of college students transfer institutions, and more than half of those transfer more than once. In the report, Nevada\u2019s percentage of transfer students was 27%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NSHE\u2019s audit reviewed transfer agreements within the northern and southern regions of the state. In southern Nevada, this included agreements between the College of Southern Nevada and either University of Nevada, Las Vegas or Nevada State College. In northern Nevada, this included agreements between Great Basin College, Truckee Meadows Community College, or Western Nevada College and the University of Nevada, Reno. Overall, 76 percent of agreements reviewed resulted in little or no loss of college credits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cImproving the ability of students to move between our colleges and universities has been a focus of the Board of Regents, the Chancellor, and our institution leaders,\u201d Regents Chair Kevin J. Page said. \u201cWe are now seeing positive results from the hard work of a lot of administrators, advisors, and faculty.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Board of Regents have been focused on this issue for some time. In 2016, the Board adopted best practices issued by the Education Commission of the States, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To support the State\u2019s transfer population, NSHE hired David Singleton as its first Transfer and Articulation Ombudsperson in 2018. The Ombudsperson\u2019s role is to help students navigate the transfer process, facilitate cross-institutional conversations on transfer advising, as well as support the system in its on-going transfer audits to ensure compliance with board policy. Additionally, the Ombudsperson coordinates transfer appeals, including the NSHE Transfer Credit Request for Review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chancellor Thom Reilly said the positive indications found by the audit were encouraging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhile 76% is a strong indication of NSHE\u2019s commitment to ensuring seamless transfer, a third audit will be conducted in the summer to ensure we are continuing to improve the transfer experience for students,\u201d Reilly said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n