The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) has once again been named to the Phi Theta Kappa 2024 Transfer Honor Roll as one of only 228 institutions across the country earning the recognition.
As the official honor society of community colleges, Phi Theta Kappa recognizes colleges and universities which offer dynamic pathways and provide support for transfer students in pursuit of higher academic and professional success. USM’s inclusion on the list for 2024 marks the seventh year in a row the university has been selected.
“We are thrilled to be recognized for our continued support of students who choose Southern Miss for their next educational achievement,” said Dr. Kristi Motter, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Southern Miss. “Being transfer-friendly and providing pathways for transfer students are just two of the many ways Southern Miss prepares its students for their journey to the top.”
With a significant portion of USM’s annual student enrollment consisting of transfer students, the University provides Phi Theta Kappa academic merit scholarships for eligible students. Additionally, USM’s Center for Student Success supports transfer students through dedicated events held during Golden Eagle Welcome Week and monthly Transfer Tuesday programs. Participation in USM’s Transfer Student Association offers additional leadership opportunities, social and educational events, and the Center for Student Success’s Transfer Transitions program pairs transfer students with a transfer student mentor.
“With signature programming that includes success coaching, special workshops and other activities, we are working hard each day to ensure transfer students have maximum support to thrive as Golden Eagles,” said DJ Preiss, Director of Enrollment Operations at Southern Miss.
Schools named to the Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll are selected based on metrics related to the support and success of transfer students, including college cost and financial aid, campus life for transfers, admission practices, and bachelor’s degree completion, among other factors. These are analyzed by the National Student Clearinghouse along with data submitted through each four-year institution’s profile on PTK Connect, an online tool provided by the society to assist students in identifying colleges and career pathways that suit their preferences. On PTK Connect, institutions highlight features such as admissions practices, cost of attendance, campus life opportunities, recruitment practices, and peer reviews. A Transfer Friendliness Rating is also given to each institution, which reflects the effectiveness of the admissions and recruitment strategies. The top 25 percent of the highest-rated colleges are then named to the Transfer Honor Roll.
Significant to this year’s outcomes includes the average percentage of transfers in undergraduate population, average bachelor’s degree completion rate among transfers, average academic credit transferred toward a degree major and/or plan, and the average percentage of transfer students receiving merit-based financial aid.
“The goal of most students attending community college is to earn a bachelor’s degree, but few do because of financial barriers and the complexities of the transfer process,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, president and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “We are proud to recognize the exceptional colleges and universities that go above and beyond to create accessible pathways to bachelor’s degree completion for community college transfer students.”
Prospective transfer students may learn more about the Southern Miss admissions process. Learn more about Phi Theta Kappa scholarships and information about Phi Theta Kappa.