51�Թ�

51�Թ� has once again been recognized as one of the top four-year institutions for transfer students in the Pacific Northwest.

The named Pacific to its , which recognizes 251 colleges and universities nationwide for their exceptional support of transfer students. Pacific, which has made the honor roll each year since 2021, is one of just two schools in Oregon, and one of six in the Northwest, named to the list.

“To be at the top of the list regionally, and within the state, from an organization whose dedicated purpose is all about community college transfers, is an honor,” said Justin McRobert, assistant director of admissions and Pacific’s transfer coordinator. “The work Pacific has taken on for transfers is not by obligation, but for the betterment of both transfer and first-year students entering Pacific with prior earned college credit.”

The Transfer Honor Roll is determined by 40 key metrics related to the support and success of transfer students, including college cost and financial aid, campus life for transfers, admissions practices, and bachelor’s degree completion. Data was analyzed from the National Student Clearinghouse, along with data self-submitted by institutions to PTK’s online database.

“At Pacific, we take a holistic approach to supporting transfer students — guiding them through applying, depositing, matriculating, and ultimately thriving,” said Denise Giesbers ’00, director of Pacific’s Office of Transfer Student Services. “What sets us apart is the dedicated team working behind the scenes to ensure a smooth experience. Students may not always see it, but there is a strong, coordinated commitment to not only making their transition easier but also setting them up for lasting success throughout their time at Pacific.”

Pacific was the first university in Oregon to establish an Office of Transfer Support Services. Established in 2006, the office provides services to prepare them for the transition from their previous institution to Pacific, including academic support and campus life resources. The office, in coordination with the Academic Affairs division, also offers a class on transfer student success, which helps incoming transfers connect to services, find community, and integrate into the Boxer family.

Over the last several years, Pacific has developed several admissions programs designed to help transfer students thrive and find meaningful career pathways. The Pacific Priority program offers a two-year graduation guarantee in most undergraduate programs to transfer students from community colleges in Oregon, Washington, California and Hawaiʻi.

Transfer students can take part in Pacific Priority’s guaranteed grad school admissions program. Upon admission and depositing to the university, transfer students can apply at the same time for admission to one of 11 Pacific graduate programs. Upon achieving certain academic benchmarks, including completing their bachelor’s degree, students are guaranteed a seat in that graduate program.

Other opportunities for transfers includes a joint partnership with Oregon’s Linn-Benton Community College for music therapy majors, expansion of credits for prior learning, and the adoption of a transfer tiers project that has led to a broader articulation and acceptance of degrees and pathways from two-year institutions across the region.

Pacific’s transfer student efforts are led by staff members who are transfer students themselves. Giesbers, a 2000 graduate of Pacific, transferred to Pacific from Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Oregon. McRobert also navigated the transfer admissions process as a student, eventually earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees while working full-time at Pacific. He was named the university’s transfer admissions coordinator in 2019.

“Having the opportunity to work in an area that I have strong personal connection to has allowed me to advocate for transfer students in a different way,” McRobert said. “One of my goals is to identify and alleviate pain points before a student even knows that an issue exists.”