UM Makes Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll for Third Year

The University of Mississippi has made the Phi Theta Kappa’s Excellence in Community College Transfer Honor Roll for the third consecutive year. Photo by Robert Jordan/Ole Miss Communications

For a third straight year, the University of Mississippi has been recognized by Phi Theta Kappa honor society for creating ways to support community college transfer students.

UM is among 112 top colleges and universities nationally in PTK’s annual Excellence in Community College Transfer Honor Roll. Four other Mississippi universities also made the list, but Ole Miss is the only one to make the ranking every year since its inception.
“The transfer process allows the University of Mississippi to increase access to higher education,” Chancellor Jeffrey Vitter said. “The students who transfer are important and highly valued members of our university community. They contribute to our ever-increasing academic excellence, stellar learning environment and outstanding college experience.
“We are so pleased to once again be recognized by Phi Theta Kappa for our extensive opportunities and strong programs in support of transfer students.”
Other UM administrators concurred.
“Being named to the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Roll for a third consecutive year is a testament to our continued commitment to attracting, retaining and supporting transfer students,” said Jody Lowe, associate director of admissions.
“The Honor Roll recognizes the campuswide investment that we have made in transfer student success and illustrates our national standing as a transfer student-friendly institution. This honor will assist us in attracting more transfer students from across the country.”
Staff members have worked hard to make the transfer experience at UM a priority, and this recognition validates those efforts, said Brandi Hephner LaBanc, vice chancellor for student affairs.
“Transfer students are an important part of the Ole Miss family – their prior campus experiences equip them with unique perspectives and capabilities that help us to enrich our community,” she said. “We will continue to focus on the recruitment, retention and success of this critical student community.
Applications were judged based on engagement, collaboration, impact and achievements related to the transfer of community college students as well as partnerships, support, admissions outreach, scholarships/financial aid, student engagement, opportunities and institutional priorities.
The Honor Roll institutions will be featured in the 2018 Phi Theta Kappa “Partners in Excellence” publication, which goes to higher education leaders nationally. They also will be recognized on the honorary’s website and at the PTK Catalyst annual convention, set for April 19-20 in Kansas City, Missouri
The recognition program reflects the growing importance of transfers in helping the country achieve its college completion goals and promotes further study and sharing of best practices, said Lynn Tincher-Ladner, CEO and president of the honor society.
“Increasingly, students of all ages and achievement levels are choosing the community college, not only as their first step, but also their first choice, in the pursuit of a quality, affordable bachelor’s degree,” she said. “With this designation, we hope to connect community college students with institutions who value their unique transfer experience and prioritize their success.”
Phi Theta Kappa is the oldest and largest honor society recognizing students pursuing two-year degrees. It has more than 3 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in nine countries.

By Edwin B. Smith