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Learners at various stages navigating higher education

Learning Mobility



̽»¨Â¥ National Learning Mobility Challenge:
Improving Transfer Time-to-Decision

Get ready to transform higher education with us. The ̽»¨Â¥ National Learning Mobility Challenge: Improving Transfer Time-to-Decision is a groundbreaking initiative designed to revolutionize how learners move through their educational and career journeys. We’re inviting systems, institutions, and partners to engage in real, data-driven action to make learning count for every student.

This year's challenge, in partnership with leverages cutting-edge improvement science methodology to help you meaningfully move the dial for transfer students and their success.


DEADLINE: November 14, 2025

For Our Institutional Colleagues
(You, the Implementers of Success)

The speed of admitting a transfer learner matters. Every day a transfer learner is left waiting for an admissions decision is a day they are unable to continue on their educational journey. This Challenge is your unparalleled opportunity to help build a national picture of transfer timelines and improve your own in the process. You'll directly contribute to identifying where your institution’s processes encounter obstacles, and you’ll learn what others are doing to address them, all with the support of data and expert guidance from NASH-trained improvers.




For Our Corporate Partners
(You, the Solution Providers)

We're redefining engagement to make you an integral part of the solution. This Challenge offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage as equal stakeholders in driving real change. By participating, you'll gain unrivaled strategic insights through what will function as invaluable research focus groups. This unique access will provide a deep understanding of the exact challenges institutional and industry leaders need to solve for better learner mobility outcomes, helping you shape solutions that truly meet market needs. Join us in fostering deeper collaboration and contributing to a living, outcomes-based platform that drives systemic advancement for the benefit of all.

 

Join the Movement

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Phase 1: Your Data, Our Future

 

Contribute to a National Dataset on Transfer Student Admissions

We're launching the nation's first-ever dataset focused on the critical "time-to-admit" for transfer students. Your institution will simply share its current baseline data on how long it takes to process a transfer student application from submission to decision. It's a simple step with enormous potential.

Why is this game-changing for you?

  • See Where You Stand: Gain unprecedented insights into national trends and variations in transfer admissions processes, instantly understanding your institution's position.

  • Pinpoint Improvement Areas: Analyze your data against a national benchmark to uncover hidden inefficiencies and bright spots within your operations.

  • Empower Decisions with Real Data: Move beyond assumptions. This initiative provides meaningful outcome measures, offering concrete insights into what's actually happening on the ground.

  • Easy Contribution, Massive Impact: Your participation is straightforward, yet absolutely vital to building a powerful foundation for systemic, positive change across higher education.

  • A Free Opportunity for Growth: Join this groundbreaking national effort at no cost, positioning your institution at the forefront of innovation.

 

Phase One Timeline:

  • Challengers will complete modules and answer a reflection question in the ̽»¨Â¥ LMS. Completion of these tasks should take between 90 - 120 minutes.
    • All challengers from a given institution should complete these modules.
    • Only one challenger from a given institution will be asked to complete the time-to-decision data entry.
  • Phase One runs through December 15, 2025.

 


DEADLINE: November 14, 2025

  • Course Deadlines & Schedule

    Date

    Deadline/Deliverable

    Context/Notes

    October 6

    Optional: Watch Overview Video


    October 8

    Challenge Reflection Question 1 Due


    October 8

    Watch ‘What is Improvement Science?’


    October 10

    Challenge Reflection Question 2 Due


    October 13

    Watch ‘Why Focus on Transfer TTD’


    October 13

    Challenge Reflection Question 3 Due


    October 15

    Watch ‘Defining Time to Decision’


    October 15

    Challenge Reflection Question 4 Due


    October 20

    Watch ‘Collecting Your Baseline Data’


    October 20

    Challenge Reflection Question 5 Due


    October 30

    First Priority Data Deadline

    Data submitted by this date will be included in the findings at the Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) conference in November

    December 15

    Final Data Submission Deadline

    All Phase 1 data must be submitted by this date

     

Phase 2: Action, Acceleration, Achievement

 

Utilize Improvement Science to Accelerate Learner Journeys

Building on the collective insights from Phase 1, you'll delve into the practical application of improvement science methodologies adopted for the higher education sector by NASH’s Center for Postsecondary Improvement. This phase is all about rapidly testing changes to measurably reduce the time-to-admit for transfer students at your institution, transforming theory into tangible results.

Why will this propel your institution forward?

  • Become a Pioneer of Change: Get hands-on experience with powerful improvement methodology, transforming your processes with data-informed decision-making.

  • Access Proven Solutions: Discover "bright spots" and successful interventions from other institutions that have already accelerated their time-to-decision.

  • Unrivaled Expert Support: You won't go it alone. Benefit from interactive webinars on improvement science, exclusive coaching opportunities, and monthly office hours with seasoned NASH improvement coaches to guide every step of your journey.

  • Faster Results, Greater Efficiency: Learn to test, iterate, and spread change initiatives at unprecedented speed, leading to direct, measurable improvements in your transfer student enrollment processes.

  • Champion Learner Success: Directly dismantle systemic barriers for transfer students, ensuring they experience a truly seamless and equitable journey towards their educational and career aspirations.

  • Build Lasting Internal Capacity: Develop practical, plain-language solutions that are not only transferable but also immediately implementable across any college or university, cultivating a powerful culture of continuous improvement within your institution.

  • Earn Valuable Recognition: For those who dive deep, there will be opportunities to earn valuable micro-credentials or other recognition artifacts, verifying your skill development in this critical area.


DEADLINE: November 14, 2025

Learning Mobility: Empowering Educational Journeys Beyond Traditional Pathways 

This book is the first comprehensive exploration of learning mobility in U.S. higher education. It emerges from a dynamic collaboration among scholars, practitioners, and policy experts who are reimagining recognition, validation, and credentialing practices to better reflect the realities of today’s learners. With ̽»¨Â¥’s longstanding commitment to innovation in academic records, credentials, and student success, we proudly offer this resource free to our members as a catalyst for institutional transformation.


As learners navigate increasingly complex, non-linear educational journeys that often span multiple institutions, life experiences, and learning environments, traditional models of credit recognition fall short. Learning Mobility offers a compelling alternative: one that centers learners, values their full range of knowledge and experience, and builds efficient pathways through higher education. We invite you to explore the insights and strategies presented in this volume and join us in creating a more effective, future-ready educational system.

FAQ

  • What is involved in the challenge phases?

     

    Phase 1: Information Gathering In this initial stage, which runs from September to October, with an extension period until December, institutions will submit their individual data regarding the time it takes to render an admission decision for transfer students. This involves participating campuses sharing their current baseline on the number of business days required for an admission decision after a completed application is submitted. NASH will collect and analyze this data, producing an anonymized report that showcases the variation in the process. The challenge was formally announced at the ̽»¨Â¥ Technology and Transfer Conference in July 2025, with data collection deadlines in October and an extended submission period until December for new institutions.

    Phase 2: Improvement Science/Strategy The organization of cohorts for Phase 2, which is scheduled from February through June, is still being determined and may evolve based on the number of participating institutions or individuals. Two main options are currently being considered for cohort organization:

    • Participants may be divided into creative groups to strategize on ways to decrease the time-to-decision identified in Phase 1.
    • Alternatively, groups could be formed based on their individual institutions to allow for specific institutional strategizing.
    The ultimate goal for organizing these cohorts in Phase 2 is to group them by "like" institutions, taking into consideration factors such as size and competitiveness. This phase aims to inspire campus participants to test changes that will lead to reduced time to transfer student admission, supported by insights into improvement methodology and showcasing innovations. Teams will bring forth innovative ideas to decrease the time-to-decision.

     

     

  • What is The Time to Admit Challenge?

     

    The Challenge, powered by  , is a national call for action, experimentation, and transparency. It is not a competition. ̽»¨Â¥ invites all colleges and universities nationwide to participate in adopting rapid cycles of testing and learning, utilizing continuous improvement methods to accelerate change initiatives.

     

  • What is the specific focus of The Challenge for 2025-26?

     

    For 2025-26, the Challenge will focus on Accelerating Transfer Student Enrollment, specifically by reducing the time to transfer admission decisions. This refers to the time it takes to render an admissions decision after a completed application is submitted.

     

  • Why is reducing transfer admissions time-to-decision so important?

     

    The traditional linear path to a degree is becoming less common, with learners moving fluidly across various institutions and educational experiences. Slow decision timelines create significant barriers for mobile learners, delaying their access to crucial advising, course registration, and timely financial planning. For many transfer students, who may be older, working, or supporting families, an offer of admission is essential before they can register, access financial aid, or make informed decisions about their future. This challenge aims to align process improvement with institutional values to yield measurable progress.

     

  • What are the core challenges in credit mobility that this initiative addresses?

     

    The primary challenges for credit mobility are structural and operational issues, rather than a lack of technology. Manual processes, institutional fragmentation, policy complexity, and data gaps disproportionately affect mobile learners.

     

  • What do participating institutions commit to doing?

     

    Participants commit to:

    • Measuring their own time-to-decision for transfer admissions.
    • Identifying internal or systemic friction points that cause delays.
    • Testing solutions to reduce these delays.
    • Contributing to a new national dataset on transfer student admissions processes.

     

     

  • What are the main objectives of the Challenge?

     

    The objectives include:

    • Introducing improvement science to a large audience of higher education practitioners.
    • Open-sourcing the first national dataset related to the transfer student admissions process, identifying variation and opportunities for improvement.
    • Building a culture of rapid continuous improvement and data-informed decision-making.
    • Exploring existing proven interventions and discovering new reliable solutions that increase transfer student enrollment rates.
    • Learning from real-world case studies of institutions that have successfully accelerated innovation and change.

     

     

  • What kind of data will participants contribute?

     

    Participating campuses will share their current baseline data on the number of business days it takes to return an admissions decision to a transfer student after a completed application is submitted. NASH will then collect and analyze this data to produce an anonymized report showcasing the variation in the process.

     

  • What are the different phases of The Challenge?

     

    The Challenge is structured in three phases:

    • Phase 1: Data Collection (August 2025 - December 2025): Institutions submit their baseline time-to-decision data, which NASH will analyze and report on.
    • Phase 2: Do Something! (January 2026 - May 2026): Participants are encouraged to test changes that will reduce transfer student admission times, supported by showcased innovations and basic improvement methodology.
    • Phase 3: Wrap-up & Recognition (June-July 2026): This phase will conclude the Challenge activities and provide recognition for participants' efforts. Join us at The Assembly | July 2026 | Arlington, Va

     

     

  • What support will be provided to Challenge participants?

     

    Support for participants will include:

    • Regular webinars on Improvement Science delivered by NASH.
    • Coaching opportunities through ̽»¨Â¥ consultants trained by NASH.
    • Monthly office hours with experienced improvement coaches.

     

     

  • Are there professional development benefits for participation?

     

    Yes, participants who actively engage beyond simple participation will have opportunities to earn an improvement science micro-credential for their efforts and contributions. This helps recognize skill development and provides value both within and outside of higher education.

     

  • How does The Challenge connect to The Assembly?

     

    ̽»¨Â¥ will showcase the progress and outcomes of The Challenge at The Assembly, which is ̽»¨Â¥'s newly reimagined national convening focused on Learning Mobility.  How long is the challenge? The overall duration of this engagement is 9 months.

     

  • How can my institution join The Challenge?

     

    It’s easy,