USF renews Fuse Transfer Program, expanding pathways from Florida colleges to bachelor’s degrees

By Tina Meketa, University Communications and Marketing

The University of South Florida is continuing its decade-long commitment to providing Florida College System students a clear pathway to a USF education. USF has renewed its agreement to participate in the Fuse Transfer Program, which is facilitated by the State University System of Florida.

Launched in 2016, Fuse allows students who earn their associate degree in specific majors at a participating state college to transfer to USF and complete a bachelor's degree in two years.

Participating institutions:

• College of Central Florida
• Florida SouthWestern State College
• Hillsborough College
• Pasco-Hernando State College
• Polk State College
• St. Petersburg College
• Santa Fe College
• South Florida State College
• State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota

The Fuse model aligns curriculums and one-on-one academic advising, helping students stay on track while creating opportunities to engage with the USF community before they transfer.

"I attended events at USF before enrolling here, which helped me meet people and become familiar with the campus. By the time I transferred, I already had connections and felt part of the community," said Egor Kharitonov, a USF computer science major who graduated from Hillsborough College last year. "I had little to no uncertainty about whether my credits would transfer. I didn't lose a semester, and I was able to start taking core computer science classes during my first semester at USF."

"Fuse goes beyond transfer-ready or reducing transfer-shock to major-ready. Fuse students arrive at USF prepared not only to transfer successfully, but to thrive in their chosen academic programs," said Allison Crume, associate vice president and dean of Undergraduate Studies. "From day one, students follow a clearly defined pathway that positions them for success. It's a proven model for student success - Fuse provides continuity and connection."

Students enrolled in Fuse consistently achieve retention rates exceeding 90%. More than 1,100 Fuse students have graduated with bachelor's degrees, with graduation rates averaging 8 percentage points higher than their non-Fuse transfer peers.

"Partnerships like this create clear, meaningful pathways that help students move confidently from one exemplary institution to the next," Polk State President Anastasios Kamoutsas said. "By working closely with USF, we are making it easier for our graduates to pursue their bachelor's degrees at one of the nation's leading public universities while building on the strong foundation they received at Polk State."

Since its inception, the program has grown from 14 graduation pathways to 50 majors. The most popular include psychology, biomedical sciences, health sciences, biology and finance. These pathways help students enter USF with the coursework and academic support they need to complete their degrees and prepare for their careers.

"Together, we have developed programs and partnerships that prepare graduates to succeed in the industries that fuel our economy and meet our region's workforce demands," said Prasant Mohapatra, USF's provost and executive vice president. "This connection between USF and Florida College System partners is a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of investing in student success and workforce development."