FSU Joins Statewide Initiative to Improve Community College Transfer Success
Apr 30, 2025 12:00 PM
Frostburg State University has joined the inaugural cohort of the new Maryland Statewide Transfer Intensive, a project led in partnership with the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program and the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), and supported by the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, designed to significantly improve community college transfer outcomes.
Over the next seven years, FSU will work alongside 24 other Maryland institutions to improve data tracking and institutional practices related to transfer student success; develop new strategies and programs that make transferring simpler, more equitable and more effective; and engage leadership across both two-year and four-year institutions to prioritize transfer student outcomes.
“By joining the Maryland Transfer Intensive, FSU has expressed a commitment to improving our transfer practices to make attainment of a bachelor’s degree more accessible for all community college students,” said FSU’s Transfer and Articulation Coordinator Dr. Linda Steele. “We want to provide a smoother, more supportive transfer experience to ensure that our transfer students succeed in earning degrees that will prepare them to enter the workforce.”
Transferring from a local community college to a four-year institution like FSU offers an affordable pathway that’s good for Marylanders, their families and employers looking to fill key positions.
“Joining the Maryland Transfer Intensive reflects Frostburg’s dedication to supporting students from all backgrounds in reaching their academic goals, strengthening Maryland’s workforce and helping the state rise to number one in higher education,” said interim president Darlene Brannigan Smith, PhD.
For more information about the Maryland Transfer Intensive and how Frostburg State University is contributing to this statewide initiative, visit Aspen’s website at https://highered.aspeninstitute.org/programs/state-system-engagement.
ABOUT THE ASPEN INSTITUTE COLLEGE EXCELLENCE PROGRAM
The Aspen Institute's College Excellence Program aims to advance higher education practices and leadership that significantly improve student learning, completion, and employment after college—especially for the growing population of students of color and low-income students on American campuses. We support colleges and universities in their quest to achieve a higher standard of excellence, delivering credentials that unlock life-changing careers and strengthen our economy, society, and democracy. We know it takes visionary college leaders to achieve this higher standard, and we make it our mission to equip them with the knowledge, skills, and research-backed tools to inspire change, shift practice, and advance the capacity of colleges to deliver excellent and equitable student outcomes. For more information, visit highered.aspeninstitute.org
ABOUT THE MARYLAND HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION
The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) is the State of Maryland's higher education coordinating board responsible for establishing statewide policies for Maryland public and private colleges and universities and for-profit career schools. MHEC also administers state financial aid programs to students statewide.