Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Names Wilkes University to 2026 Transfer Honor Roll

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Names Wilkes University to 2026 Transfer Honor Roll

Wilkes University has been named to the 2026 Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) Transfer Honor Roll in recognition of the University's service, support and friendliness to community college transfer students.

"Wilkes University is honored to be recognized on Phi Theta Kappa's 2026 Transfer Honor Roll. This distinction reflects our commitment to providing transfer students with exceptional opportunities, individualized support, and a welcoming campus community," says Jared Menghini, vice president of enrollment management. "We believe transfer students enrich the Wilkes experience, and we remain committed to helping them achieve success from their first day on campus through graduation."

The Transfer Honor Roll is one of the nation's most comprehensive recognitions of transfer excellence. Institutions are evaluated using data from the National Student Clearinghouse as well as data submitted through the four-year institution's profile on PTK Connect, Phi Theta Kappa's online tool designed to help top community college students connect with transfer opportunities.

"Being recognized on Phi Theta Kappa's Transfer Honor Roll is a tremendous honor and a reflection of Wilkes University's commitment to supporting transfer students throughout their individual journeys," says Shawn Loyack, director of undergraduate admissions, adding that the transfer admissions team invests time and effort into ensuring Wilkes understands and meets the unique needs of each transfer student. "I am incredibly proud of the work our team does each day to create a welcoming and seamless transfer experience for our students, ensuring that every transfer student feels supported, valued and prepared to achieve their goals."

Rather than measuring a single outcome, the Honor Roll evaluates how well institutions support transfer students from admission through graduation. Colleges are assessed across five dimensions shown to influence transfer success:

• Transfer student success outcomes
• Credit mobility and degree applicability
• Financial support for transfer students
• Recruitment and admissions practices
• Campus engagement and support for transfer students

The Transfer Honor Roll recognizes the top-performing institutions based on this comprehensive evaluation. Institutions included on the 2026 Honor Roll have demonstrated exceptional performance across multiple measures of transfer success. Among this year's recognized institutions:

• Average percent of transfer in undergraduate population - 56%
• Average bachelor's degree completion rate among transfers - 77%
• Average credit transferred toward a degree major and/or plan - 88%
• Average percent of transfer students receiving merit-based financial aid - 76%

"This recognition is about much more than transfer agreements," says 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 Transfer Honor Roll has grown into a national benchmark for transfer excellence. This year, more than 1,100 colleges and universities completed PTK's institutional profile, providing students with transparent information about transfer opportunities while allowing institutions to benchmark their transfer practices against peers nationwide. Only 275 four-year colleges and universities were named to the 2026 Transfer Honor Roll.

"Recognition matters because it shines a light on what works," added Heather Yush, senior director of college relations for Phi Theta Kappa. "When colleges are recognized for transfer excellence, they create powerful examples that inspire other institutions to strengthen their own transfer pathways. Ultimately, that means more students earn the bachelor's degrees they set out to achieve."

About Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society recognizes the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helps them grow as scholars and leaders. Recognized by the American Association of Community Colleges as the official honor society for two-year colleges, PTK also serves as the nation's largest honor society in higher education, with more than 4.5 million members and nearly 1,200 chapters in 11 countries, including approximately 220,000 active members in colleges today. Through scholarships, leadership development and transfer and career pathways, PTK helps students turn their potential into opportunity. Learn more at ptk.org.