Galloway, N.J. — For the fifth year in a row, Stockton University has been named to the Transfer Honor Roll by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society for its transfer-friendly policies for community college students.

The university is one of 275 four-year colleges and universities that have demonstrated exceptional success in creating pathways that help community college transfer students earn bachelor’s degrees.

“We work closely with our community college partners to ensure students experience a seamless transition, maximize the credits they’ve earned, and have the support they need to thrive from day one through graduation,” said Moses V. Goldmon, Stockton’s vice president for Enrollment Management. “This recognition affirms that our approach is intentional, student-centered and built to remove barriers while expanding opportunity.”

The Transfer Honor Roll recognizes the top-performing colleges and universities that complete the annual PTK Connect institutional profile. According to the society, 1,117 institutions submitted the profile this year.

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, and campus engagement and support for transfer students.

“Stockton’s been a great place to transfer because here I can complete my education and work on passions of mine, whether it’s being a radio host for WLFR or working with Stockton Action Volunteers for the Environment,” said Conor Wasneuski, a Sustainability major from Manahawkin who transferred from Ocean County College. “I’m able to make the most out of my experience in college.”

Stockton has Transfer Pathways partnership agreements with a dozen community colleges in New Jersey that allow students to have dual admission options with Stockton and their community college.

The university also announced in May the South Jersey Higher Education Alliance, a partnership with Atlantic Cape Community College, Brookdale Community College, Camden County College and Ocean County College.

The alliance is designed to help students in southern and central New Jersey move more efficiently from associate degree programs to bachelor’s and graduate degree opportunities. It also calls for the institutions to reduce barriers that can delay graduation, increase student costs and create confusion during the transfer process. 

"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."

Transfers make up 33% of Stockton’s undergraduate students, with the majority coming from community colleges. Stockton accepts on average 99% of credits transferred from another college.

It’s not too late to transfer to Stockton this fall. Find out more information about transfer admissions at stockton.edu/transfer.

-- Story by Mark Melhorn, photo by Susan Allen