Phi Theta Kappa honors Cortland for its support of transfer students

07/23/2026

For an eighth year in a row, SUNY Cortland was named by Phi Theta Kappa in its Transfer Honor Roll .

The distinction recognizes the university's support of community college transfer students.

Phi Theta Kappa is an honor society for students at associate degree-granting colleges with close to 1,250 chapters in 11 countries and 220,000 active members. More than 900 four-year colleges and universities are considered for the Transfer Honor Roll, with Cortland one of 275 selected.

"This recognition is about much more than transfer agreements," said Lynn Tincher-Ladner, president and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. "Successful transfer happens when institutions intentionally design policies, practices and campus cultures that help students thrive after they arrive. These colleges have demonstrated that transfer student success is not accidental. It is a strategic priority."

The university had 549 transfers last academic year and has made the list every year since 2018. Cortland is one of three SUNY comprehensive colleges that earned a place this year and New York's only public institution to be honored each year over that eight-year span.

Greg Diller '07, coordinator of transition programs, said that taking classes while making friends and adjusting to new policies and professors can be difficult - especially if balancing work and a commute. Because of that, the university believes in providing strong support for its transfers, including the 549 transfers last academic year,

"This fall we have eight Transfer Network Team members who are excited to welcome our new students and help them navigate their first semester at Cortland," said Diller, who this year earned the Joan Austin Distinguished Service Award from the New York State Transfer and Articulation Association, a professional organization focused on college transfer student success.

"Our office, along with many other resources on campus, are happy to be the people they can turn to and get them on the right path," he added. "We are proud to continue to be a place that new transfer students can feel comfortable and find their sense of belonging."

Phi Theta Kappa's annual honor is based on analysis from the National Student Clearinghouse and data submitted by four-year institutions.

The rating relies on 40 metric areas, including five major ones:

• Success rates of transfer students.

• Campus friendliness and sense of belonging.

• Availability of need- and merit-based financial aid.

• Acceptance of transfer credits toward a four-year degree program.

• Recruitment experience and campus life for transfers.

SUNY Cortland offers a wide array of transfer support, including:

• Online tools that help students map a clear path to the university.

• A formal transfer orientation program.

• The Transfer Network Team , a group of returning transfer students who assist new transfer students in connecting with campus resources and each other.

• COR 201, a one-credit experience course for new transfer students, modeled after the opportunity for first-year students.

• Reverse transfer degrees, enabling transfer students to complete their community college associate degree while working toward their bachelor's degree at SUNY Cortland.

More information on the transfer application process at SUNY Cortland is available online .