Online ‘Transfer Madness’ to Connect KCTCS Students to 25 Universities

Versailles, Ky. (February 20, 2013)— Kentucky college students who wish to transfer their credits or associate degree to a four-year institution will have the opportunity to connect with those institutions, ask questions and better prepare for their future during a 12-hour online Transfer Madness fair. Transfer Madness will be Wednesday, March 6 from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. (EST).

Transfer Madness is the first entirely online, statewide transfer fair where students can chat online with transfer advisors, search for scholarships, download materials and get questions answered at a time that suits their family and work schedules.

Lt. Governor Jerry Abramson, Bob King, president of the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE), Dr. Jay Box, chancellor of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS), as well as several transfer students spoke on the importance of transfer to their educational and career goals. Legislators and representatives from the 26 participating colleges also attended.

“I applaud our education partners for helping promote awareness about the seamless transition from high school to community and technical colleges to our four-year institutions,” said Lt. Gov. Abramson. “The best way to improve the quality of Kentucky’s workforce and give our companies strong employees is through a top-notch education system that aggressively promotes a college-going culture that has no barriers in credit transfers.”

Transfer Madness supports the Council’s Stronger by Degrees strategic plan to improve the quality of Kentucky’s workforce by increasing the number of students who transfer from KCTCS colleges to four-year institutions. One of the goals of House Bill 160 (2010) is to eliminate the barriers students encounter when trying to transfer to a four-year institution, and one of the barriers is a lack of information and engagement between students and transferring institutions.

“One of the key success factors in the transfer game is connecting with and developing a relationship with four-year institutions prior to attendance,” said KCTCS Chancellor Jay Box. “That is why this Transfer Madness event is so important….and a real slam dunk for everyone involved in the transfer game.”

Rachel Trivette, who began her postsecondary education at Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) and later transferred to the University of Kentucky, says she is grateful she had the opportunity to ease into college by starting at a small, community college.

“I always knew I wanted to go to UK; I just took a different path. My path took me to BCTC where I had amazing professors and advisors, and my experience helped prepare me for success at the University of Kentucky,” said Trivette. “I will be so proud to be a graduate of both of these schools that have helped make my dreams come true.”

To register and to view a list of participating Transfer Madness colleges, universities and education partners, visit www.transfermadness.org. Follow us on Twitter at #KYtransfermadness.