By Malenah Hunter, Associate Director of Membership and Awards, ̽»¨Â¥
In her session “Transfer Pathways - Implementing Creative Change,” Emily Clement, Associate Director of Transfer Pathways at Delta College, details how she and her transfer team worked to create a non-occupational degree transfer pathway and establish new partnerships with other Michigan institutions. Recent data indicate that most community college students aspire to earn a bachelor’s degree, but after six years, only about 16% succeed. Additionally, the data shows that bachelor’s degree completion for students with an associate degree before transfer is 25% higher.
To introduce transfer pathways into the curriculum at Delta, the transfer team developed and published “The Transfer Playbook,” a practical guide focused on three strategies for bachelor’s attainment:
- Prioritize transfer at the executive level for sustainable success.
- Align pathways with high-quality instruction to promote timely completion.
- Tailor advising and non-academic support to foster trust and engagement.
In a companion report titled “Tracking Four-Year Institution Transfer Performance,” nine key findings came from a case study on community college effectiveness. Of those nine, Clement and her team decided to hone in on one:
Transfer students who earn a pre-transfer CC award have much stronger post-transfer outcomes.
In comparison to the Michigan and national transfer outcomes, it was clear that Delta had some work to do if it wanted to emphasize the importance and value of an associate degree and push students to finish before they transfer.
The first step was to look at regional initiatives to work together with nearby schools. Statewide initiatives, , , and have set a goal to get 60% to 65% of the employable population with a valued credential by 2030.
By 2031, 70% of Michigan jobs will require some form of credential of value, helping to close the skill gap, increase opportunities for better jobs, and make Michigan institutions more competitive. Nationally, there’s a predicted decline of 600,000 jobs for high school students only.
Pathways to Progress
‘Are we offering courses that have no value?’
One of the pushbacks Clement heard near the end of this implementation was the fear that other institutions and potential employers wouldn’t see their courses as extensive or valuable enough. In looking at their most popular transfer associate degrees, General Studies was at the top because it requires the fewest credits. To some, this would seem like an easy out that doesn’t prepare students properly if they’re only taking a handful of seemingly unrelated courses.
The question then became: How do we ensure our courses are high value?
In response, the team strengthened instruction and academic support, promoting learning and significant progress. Clement remarked that it takes a lot of finessing, being flexible, and being willing to accommodate.
Students Are Stakeholders
The benefits of advocating for improved transfer processes and new pathway partnerships extend not only to students but also to the broader community. Students save money, are more likely to complete their degree, and have higher earning potential in better jobs. Once these students graduate and enter the workforce, the community can help fill employment shortages. The surrounding areas will see increased research and public health funding, an increase in tax revenue, and will continue to attract businesses—the bonus: engaged citizens who care about the well-being of those around them.
In the end, Delta College has run into a good problem: It’s going to need a bigger gym.
Over the last three years, Delta has seen a 25% increase in enrollment, a 10% increase in completion, and reached a 60-year high in the number of students who graduated at its Spring ceremony.
But not just the students were recognized for their efforts. Delta College awarded Clement and her colleagues the 2025 Don Laughner Award for Creative Change. They also received the 2024-2025 Innovation of the Year award.
The Goal and Result
The goal of a transfer pathway is for students to transfer to a four-year institution as a junior or senior with an associate degree in a specific general education field of study.
Transfer pathways have helped boost interest in non-occupational curricula and will increase the likelihood of students graduating from Delta College before transferring. These pathways are a creative way to help bridge the gap between non-occupational majors and transfer institutions, increasing the success of students seeking to complete a bachelor’s degree.