UCF's groundbreaking transfer model raises its profile

In the last six months, the University of Central Florida’s DirectConnect transfer pipeline program has made some waves. Thanks to proven, sustainable and replicable results in student success, UCF was asked to join the University Innovation Alliance (UIA), a consortium of 11 large public research universities committed to making high quality college degrees accessible to a diverse body of students. The program has also been recognized as a John N. Gardner Institute Foundations of Excellence—Transfer Focus institution.

Then, in June, the DirectConnect program was featured in  Politico magazine’s “What Works” series on innovative urban programs.

“Central Florida’s institutions of higher learning are creating a seamless pipeline of social mobility,” wrote Politico reporter Saundra Armhein, describing a program that has helped thousands of students earn bachelor’s degrees while diversifying the UCF student body.

After each peak of publicity comes a wave of interest from other institutions’ leaders, according to Ange Peterson, Associate Vice President at UCF.

“We’ve already done two university workshops,” Peterson said. “This is one of those models that could be used anywhere, regardless of school size or number of campuses involved, with some modifications.”

DirectConnect brings together five institutions and one university (UCF, Daytona State College, Eastern Florida State College, Lake Sumter State College, Seminole State College and Valencia College) to streamline the pathway from community college to baccalaureate. According to Peterson, laying the groundwork for a comparable program requires, first and foremost, “leadership at the very top.”

“We started with a MOU [memorandum of understanding] signed by the presidents, laying out specific values,” Peterson said. From there, working groups in core areas such as advising, enrollment services, student services, IR, and philanthropy coordinated to turn the vision into a reality. In addition, marketing and branding the program helped it to gain traction.

“One of the first things we talk about in workshops is system alignment,” Peterson said. “How do you align curriculum? Do you require the completion of an associate degree to transfer? Alignment is the key to success.”

To read the Politico feature, click here. And for more information about the program, visit the DirectConnect website.