PASSHE Leads Effort to Strengthen College Credit Transfer

HARRISBURG, Pa. - With worker shortages in the commonwealth, Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) is leading a statewide effort to further strengthen college credit transfer and prior learning recognition, a move that could help thousands of students to graduate sooner and at lower cost while filling jobs in healthcare, education, STEM and other essential careers.

PASSHE is hosting the convening at Shippensburg University, bringing together more than 30 colleges, universities and state and national partners to design a statewide credit mobility plan. PASSHE, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Community College of Philadelphia and HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College are spearheading the initiative.

While the convening focuses on enhancing transfer pathways among all participating colleges and universities, it is an opportunity for PASSHE to build on recent successes. State System universities welcomed nearly 6,000 transfer students last year, and transfers from community colleges to PASSHE universities surged 14% this fall.

"PASSHE is proud to host colleges and universities from across Pennsylvania as we collectively work to create the best transfer process possible for students at each of our schools," said PASSHE Chancellor Christopher Fiorentino. "By opening more pathways for students to build on what they have already accomplished, we create new opportunities for their future and for Pennsylvania. This collaboration helps students reach their educational goals faster, saves them money and supports the state's growing need for skilled, educated workers."

Keeping students first
The convening includes transfer experts from:

• All 10 PASSHE universities
• Other four-year institutions
• Community colleges
• Pennsylvania policymakers
• Representatives from Connecticut, Kentucky, Ohio, Maryland, New Jersey and New York.

Together, they are developing strategies to help students seamlessly transfer credits between many institutions and earn credit for prior learning or military service. The strategies help students to avoid repeating courses while saving money and graduating sooner.

"Students' lives don't always fit into neat boxes," said Diana Rogers-Adkinson, PASSHE senior vice chancellor. "They may start at one college, take classes elsewhere, or bring valuable experience from the military or the workplace. Our job is to make sure those experiences count. This summit is about building partnerships and solutions that put students first."

The convening is part of a national effort led by Ithaka S+R and Complete College America (CCA) to strengthen statewide partnerships and align policies that make transferring college credits more student-friendly and consistent.

Transfer pathways help to fuel Pennsylvania's workforce
Efficient transfer opportunities are essential to Pennsylvania's economic future. The commonwealth is facing worker shortages in critical fields such as healthcare, education and technology, all jobs that local communities rely on every day.

By helping students transfer credits between institutions and earn credit for prior learning, they can complete their degrees more quickly. Pennsylvania can create a clear path for students to strengthen the talent pipeline and give employers the skilled workforce they need.

PASSHE universities already guarantee admission to students who earn an associate degree from a Pennsylvania community college. More than 96% of community college credits now transfer across the system, with several universities accepting nearly 100%, a major improvement in recent years.

Next Steps: Building a statewide credit mobility plan
The higher education institutions will use insights from the convening to develop a statewide credit mobility strategy and action plan that expands access to higher education, supports student success and builds the skilled workforce Pennsylvania needs to grow.

About PASSHE
Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) is the public university system of the commonwealth with a mission to provide a high-quality education at the lowest possible cost to students. The State System annually confers more than 20,000 degrees and has more than 800,000 living alumni, most of whom live in Pennsylvania. The State System universities are Cheyney, Commonwealth (Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield), East Stroudsburg, Indiana, Kutztown, Millersville, PennWest (California, Clarion and Edinboro), Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester universities of Pennsylvania.