Sova

Transfer students make up a larger and more diverse share of learners than we often acknowledge. This isn’t just a policy challenge; it’s a human one. Too often, we see finger-pointing in transfer reform: sending institutions vs. receiving institutions, administrators vs. faculty, native students vs. transfer students. But we have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to depolarize these conversations and focus on solutions. At Aiken Technical College, Chad Crumbaker and his team are leading by example. They joined Ithaka S+R’s Transfer Explorer to eliminate the guesswork for students and ensure transfer agreements actually work in practice. Instead of frustration and credit loss, students can now see exactly how their coursework counts toward their degree - before they transfer. This is what common ground looks like in action. And it’s the kind of work we need more of in 2025. As more institutions step up to prioritize credit mobility, students will have a clearer, fairer path to completing their degrees. Because no one should have to start over just because they switched schools. Read more about this exemplar work in this week's #BeyondTransfer featured in Inside Higher Ed: https://lnkd.in/gcPwS8wB Thanks to: Christopher Buonocore Alex Humphreys Martin Kurzweil Emily Tichenor How is your institution tackling transfer reform this year? Drop your thoughts below. Let’s build momentum #BeyondTransfer. #HigherEd #CreditMobility #TransferStudents #StudentSuccess

Credit Transfer Shouldn’t Be a Roadblock to Student Success—Let’s Fix It A new survey from Public Agenda, conducted in partnership with the Beyond Transfer Policy Advisory Board, reveals a troubling reality: two-thirds of students who try to transfer credits face negative experiences. -58% lose credits in the process -1 in 5 have to retake courses they already completed -16% abandon their degree because the process is too difficult But here’s the good news: Americans overwhelmingly support reforms to fix this broken system. The vast majority back policies like free and easy access to transcripts (82%) and public databases outlining transfer policies (81%)—commonsense solutions to make higher education work for students, not against them. This report reinforces what we see every day: fixing credit transfer isn’t just about policy—it’s about delivering on the promise of higher education. It’s time to turn this consensus into action. Let’s build a system where students keep what they’ve earned. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eHfm75cn

Higher education institutions nationwide are coming together to revolutionize transfer and articulation through AI-powered course equivalency mapping through ATAIN - the AI Transfer and Articulation Infrastructure Network. Institutions and State Systems - Applications are due TODAY: https://lnkd.in/gi6zAXPi Be part of the future of credit mobility and transfer success—join ATAIN and help shape the next generation of student support systems. ?? First-year participation is fully covered through grant funding ?? Institutions with strong transfer partnerships are encouraged to apply together

The question isn’t whether to adopt AI -- it’s whether institutions of higher ed will train it to reflect their unique mission, values, and commitment to student success. In this week's #BeyondTransfer, Jesse Boeding, Ed.D., discusses a critical truth: off-the-shelf AI solutions don’t understand your campus. Every institution has its own DNA, its own language, processes, and culture. Generic AI = generic support. On the other hand, fear of AI adoption is real, but so is the cost of hesitation. Instead of resisting, we should leverage faculty expertise, institutional knowledge, and student success data to shape AI that truly serves our communities. Higher ed doesn’t just need AI. It needs AI that understands us. Read more in Inside Higher Ed: https://lnkd.in/euKURamM

Exciting News: New Managing Partner Sova is thrilled to announce Brian A. Sponsler, Ed.D. as our new Managing Partner, where he'll continue supporting an exceptional team dedicated to expanding economic opportunity through higher education. At Sova, we believe that meaningful, large-scale impact happens when organizations have the right people, policies, and practices in place to turn vision into action. We help our clients align strategy, policy, and operations to ensure that postsecondary education stays a powerful and accessible pathway to economic success for students and communities across the country. Why This Work Matters—Now More Than Ever The higher education sector is at an inflection point. Rising skepticism about the value of a degree, shifting workforce demands, demographic changes, and increasing financial pressures on institutions are converging to create an urgent need for bold, student-centered solutions. At the same time, colleges and universities face growing accountability for student outcomes, while policymakers and funders seek clearer evidence that their investments lead to economic and social mobility. This moment demands that institutions and organizations not only adapt to these realities but also redefine their role in expanding opportunities, particularly for students from historically underserved backgrounds. Leaders must be able to articulate, strengthen, and deliver on their value proposition, ensuring that students not only enroll in college but leave with the skills, credentials, and networks necessary to thrive. At Sova, we are committed to helping organizations meet this challenge with strategic clarity, operational strength, and a relentless focus on student success. The Power of the Sova Community What makes Sova special is the incredible community we've built—both within our team and through the partnerships we cultivate. We are incredibly grateful to work alongside a group of committed, skilled professionals who bring deep expertise in organizational strategy, equity, postsecondary policy, and institutional transformation. ? Alison Kadlec, Paul N. Markham, Verónica (Vero) Guajardo, PhD (she/her/ella), Tia McNair, Lara Couturier, and Marty J. Alvarado ? are talented collaborators who bring passion, intellect, and joy to all their work. Together, we're committed to cutting through complexity and helping our clients deliver on their mission with confidence. If you're engaged in this work, we'd love to hear from you. Let's connect and explore ways to drive meaningful change—together. Here's to what's ahead! #HigherEducation #PostsecondarySuccess #Leadership #Sova

The first #BeyondTransfer article of 2025 is here. In its fourth year of fostering critical conversations about transfer and learning mobility Lara Couturier, Marty J. Alvarado, and Alison Kadlec reflect on the tangible impact of improving credit transfer systems for learners, institutions, and taxpayers alike through policy reform and innovation in education. Read this week's Inside Higher Ed piece: https://lnkd.in/e3RaDFmk But we don’t want the conversation to end there... What are your commitments for 2025? How will you contribute to ensuring fair treatment of students and their learning this year? Share your thoughts by February 15, 2025 via email to [email protected], and they’ll be featured in an upcoming blog post synthesizing insights from the community. Let’s start the year with purpose and collaboration. Drop your ideas in the comments, or tag someone who should see this. #BeyondTransfer #HigherEd #Collaboration #StudentSuccess

Sova, with funding from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has launched a long-term research project to better understand mindsets and transition in the educational landscapes of postsecondary students in underserved communities in Washington State. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dvCYs4bE??

Thank you to all our clients and partners for a year filled with collaboration and shared progress. Wishing everyone a happy and healthy New Year!

We close out the #BeyondTransfer year by highlighting the power of advisors in bridging the transfer gap. Recent insights from two remarkable initiatives highlight how crucial advisors are in shaping successful transfer experiences for students. 1. Building a Peer Network for Transfer Professionals: https://lnkd.in/e_NRybZy Emily Muniz and Keemper Steele saw firsthand how transfer professionals were lacking the resources and training to support students effectively. Their response? The creation of Virginia's Community College System (VCCS) Transfer Advising Peer Group. By leveraging collaboration, these advisors found a platform to share knowledge, brainstorm, and ultimately strengthen the transfer advising community. From virtual meetings to in-person retreats, their passion for empowering each other and advocating for better resources is creating a lasting impact. This community shows how peer support can be the driving force behind systemic change. 2. Peer Advisors Plugging Leaks in the Transfer Pipeline: https://lnkd.in/eeRWWsp6 Meanwhile, at College Access: Research and Action (CARA), Lori Chajet and Ashley Barry highlight a project focused on The City University of New York, where peer advisors have become instrumental in addressing the "leaks" in the transfer process – the points where students get lost or give up. Through peer-led efforts, students are supported from application to enrollment, with advisors providing personalized guidance at each step. At CUNY, the introduction of dedicated peer advisors has shown that one-on-one support can dramatically increase transfer success rates, especially when paired with tools like the T-Rex system, which simplifies credit transfer. Both initiatives underscore a central truth: advisors are not just guides—they are the lifeline for students navigating the complex terrain of transfer. Whether through informal peer networks or strategic institutional partnerships, advisors are proving that collaboration and creativity are key to transforming the transfer experience.

We are excited to introduce the AI Transfer and Articulation Infrastructure Network - ATAIN - a groundbreaking national initiative designed to revolutionize credit mobility and college transfer success for learners across the country. Community colleges and universities are invited to apply to be a part of the ATAIN learning community. Selected participants will have access to technology and direct support while building AI-powered course equivalency database, transcript evaluation workflows, and dashboards for training articulation coverage. Learn more: https://www.atain.org/ Attend the Dec 12 | 2 - 3 PM ET | launch webinar: https://lnkd.in/eCS9wgMa Apply for the learning community: https://lnkd.in/gi6zAXPi