A New Perspective on Transfer Policy: Are Community College Transfer Students Getting an Equitable Academic Experience at Small Private Colleges?

With the declining enrollment of the traditional college student, small private universities are increasing attracting community college transfer students, yet community college transfer research invariably occurs at the public university. To provide a view from the private college, this qualitative study sought to describe how faculty perceived the community college transfer student experience at a small, nonprofit, private university. Using an ethnographic study design, twelve faculty were interviewed, describing the culture, the perception of the students’ experience with the university, as well as the institutional policies that applied to community college transfer students. Findings illustrated the potential for inequity within the academic experience between student types. Analysis of the interview data developed the following themes: a systematically distinct experience for community college transfer students, limited access to signature programs for community college transfer students, and the unmet needs of community college transfer students. These themes, gathered from a thematic data analysis, helped the researcher present a new perspective on transfer policy and implications to practice for campuses as well as future research recommendations centered on equity and academic policy