UNT recognized for excellence in transfer student programs and opportunities

Friday, April 8, 2016 - 17:04
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DENTON (UNT), Texas -- The University of North Texas was the only public school in Texas to be listed as a member of the inaugural Excellence in Community College Transfer Honor Roll by Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society for two-year colleges. The award identifies the top four-year colleges and universities that have created "dynamic pathways to support community college transfer."

"We are extremely pleased to be the only public university in Texas that Phi Theta Kappa named to the honor roll," said Rebecca Lothringer, executive director of admissions at UNT. "We recognize the quality of our transfer students and the talents they bring to UNT, and it's good to know that Phi Theta Kappa recognized what we've done to provide an atmosphere for students where they can succeed."

UNT was among only 40 universities to be listed on the honor roll. According to Associate Director of Admissions Myra Hafer, UNT was recognized in every category of Phi Theta Kappa's selection process, from financial aid to student support to outreach and engagement.

"Our recruitment does not just stop at a lower level," Hafer said. "At all levels - up to the highest levels of administration and organization - we have programs that address the needs of transfer students and provide them the opportunity to thrive."

In 2015 alone, more than 5,500 students transferred to UNT. That trend has been a staple of UNT's campus culture for years, as at least 5,000 students have transferred to UNT for the past five years. Last fall, more than 4,000 students transferred to UNT, making it the largest group of incoming transfer students in UNT's history.

"We have a large pool of transfer students that makes incoming students feel at home, and it makes it easier for them to find the support and services they need," Lothringer said.

Included with UNT's application to Phi Theta Kappa's Community College Transfer Honor Roll were recommendations from community colleges in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that have a high amount of students transfer to UNT on an annual basis. According to Hafer, UNT is highly thought of by its colleagues in the area, and their recommendations played a large role in UNT's award.

The 40 colleges and universities selected by Phi Theta Kappa will be named to the transfer honor roll on their online transfer support platform, collegefish.org, and will receive special recognition at Phi Theta Kappa's 2016 annual convention in National Harbor, Maryland, which will be held April 7-9.

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