Transfer Advocate Micro-credential earners have a comprehensive understanding of the transfer student experience and the skills necessary to positively contribute to transfer student success. Earners must complete the Transfer Advocate 101 and 201 training sessions and a capstone project. They will engage in research, conduct an experiential review/analysis and develop and implement one action item to improve the transfer student experience. Upon completion, earners will be equipped to identify and celebrate the diverse backgrounds of transfer students, analyze and address common barriers and foster a supportive and inclusive transfer student community. 

Eligibility

  • CU Boulder students (including degree-seeking and nondegree/ACCESS) 
  • CU Boulder employees
  • Faculty and staff at other Colorado higher education institutions may also be interested and are eligible to participate in the micro-credential program.

Delivery Mode

Hybrid of in-person and online delivery


Credit Status

Noncredit

Academic Level

  • Professional

Fee

No

Requirements

  1. Completion of a Transfer Advocate 101 training session
  2. Completion of a Transfer Advocate 201 training session
  3. Completion of the Capstone Project
    1. Proposal
    2. Research (e.g., brief literature review of transfer student research, comparison of national, state and CU Boulder transfer student data, collection of best practices at peer institutions, transfer student journey mapping of policy/process or evaluation of department/unit’s transfer services/experience) 
    3. Experiential Analysis/Review (e.g., attendance at transfer student events, interview transfer students about their CU/transfer experience, shadow Transfer Success Seminar course or visit common transfer student resources/spaces)
    4. Action Item (e.g., advocacy, program/policy/procedure improvement, transfer student event, proactive outreach or cross-campus collaboration)
    5. Artifact sharing highlights, findings and recommendations

Criteria

Upon completion of the Transfer Advocate micro-credential, participants will be able to:

  • As agents,
    • Identify the diverse backgrounds and experiences of transfer students.
    • Utilize an asset based mindset and celebrate the unique perspectives and skills transfer students bring to the CU Boulder community.
    • Analyze common barriers transfer students face, such as financial, housing, transfer credit and community, and the impact these barriers have on students’ academic and personal success. 
    • Assess the effectiveness of current support systems for transfer students.
  • As connectors,
    • Facilitate connections between transfer students and grow the transfer student community.
    • Connect students to existing transfer initiatives and CU Boulder resources to enhance their experience.
    • Promote collaboration between departments to enhance the transfer student experience.
  • As champions,
    • Implement strategies to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for transfer students.
    • Advocate for program and policy changes that address the specific needs of transfer students.

Skills

  • Advocacy
  • Collaboration
  • Communication skills
  • Communication strategies
  • Customer journey
  • Project coordination
  • Project management
  • Research
  • Resource management