We Are the Champions: Making Plays for Transfer Success
Event Details
The Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE) Articulation Council
Event Details
The Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE) Articulation Council is pleased to present “We Are Champions: Making Plays for Transfer Success,” the group’s annual conference which will be held on Friday, Oct. 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET via the SOCHE Zoom platform.
Join articulation and transfer professionals from across Ohio for a day of insight, innovation, and collaboration at this year’s conference. You’ll have the opportunity to explore effective strategies, share real-world successes, and elevate the student voice in shaping equitable transfer experiences.
After a brief time of chat and networking, we’ll kick off with the conference with the ever-popular ODHE Ohio Articulation and Transfer Network updates, including a Q&A time, from Dr. Paula Compton and her team. Our keynote presentation will feature The Aspen Institute’s Bernard Huggins, who will share insights from the newly released Transfer Playbook 2.0—a data-informed guide for building stronger, more equitable transfer practices.
Attendees will then select from three concurrent breakout sessions focused on:
- A case study on improving business transfer pathways between Columbus State and Ohio State
- Tools and strategies for relationship management across institutions
- A facilitated discussion on empowering faculty as active participants in the transfer student journey
The day concludes with a dynamic panel, “Student Voices: The Transfer Experience,” featuring recorded reflections from current and former transfer students, followed by commentary from transfer professionals across the region.
Whether you’re new to articulation and transfer work or are a seasoned advocate, this event will leave you inspired, informed, and equipped to strengthen student-centered practices on your campus.
REGISTER BY SUNDAY, OCT. 5, FOR THE BEST RATES!
REGISTRATION CLOSES ON MONDAY, OCT. 13.
When: Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET
Where: via SOCHE’s Zoom Platform (link will be sent at least 24 hours prior to event)
Cost:
- Personnel from SOCHE member schools: $20 per person (price increases to $30 on Oct. 6)
- Personnel from NON-member schools/organizations: $30 per person (price increases to $40 on Oct. 6)
- Students: $5 per person (price increases to $10 on Oct. 6)
Registration Cancellation Policy
Registration for this event closes on Monday, Oct. 13.
Event Program
| 8:15 a.m. ET | Meeting link opens |
| 8:30 a.m. ET | Guided Coffee Chat Grab your favorite beverage and join us for discussion about campus National Transfer Student Week activities before the conference formally begins. |
| 8:40 a.m. ET | Opening and Welcome Conference Host: Rachel Fulton, University of Cincinnati |
| 8:45 a.m. ET | ODHE’s Ohio Articulation and Transfer Network Updates + Q&A Presenters: Dr. Paula Compton, Dr. Candice Grant, Jared Shank, Jessi Hart, and Brittany Kim, OATN |
| 9:45 a.m. ET | BREAK: Pet Parade – share your pet with the group (in person or a photo) |
| 10:00 a.m. ET | KEYNOTE – Transfer Playbook 2.0: Strengthening Pathways to Bachelor’s Degree Attainment This keynote introduces Transfer Playbook 2.0, a new guide from the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program and the Community College Research Center that highlights three evidence-based strategies used by high-performing partnerships to improve transfer outcomes: clarifying pathways, building cross-institution relationships, and engaging faculty in both instruction and advising. The session will connect these strategies to key priorities in Ohio, including statewide guaranteed pathways, advisor and faculty collaboration, and effective faculty engagement. Presenter: Bernard Huggins, The Aspen Institute |
| 10:45 a.m. ET | BREAK: Take a true bio break while attendees are moved to concurrent breakout rooms |
| 11:00 a.m. ET | CONCURRENT SESSIONS (choose one at registration) • Session 1 – A Tough Nut to Crack: Creating Student Success through Transfer for Business In this presentation, we’ll examine how the creation of the OGTP for business transformed the transfer process in this major between Columbus State Community College and Ohio State University — for both students and staff. Presenters: Mary Whitt, Columbus State Community College, and Trish Jefferson, Ohio State University Facilitator: Rachel Fulton, University of Cincinnati • Session 2 – Colleague-to-Colleague: Relationship Management The relationships between college partners plays a critical role for a positive student transfer experience. Through a lens of relationship management, participants will identify common challenges and learn strategies to enhance collaboration, clarify expectations and improve institutional alignments. No matter what your role is in serving students, this session will explore tools to elevate your partnerships and keep students at the center of cross-institutional work. Presenters: Rachelle Dancy, Wright State University, and Dr. Peggy Chalker, Southern State Community College • Session 3 – Facilitated Discussion: Faculty as Transfer Champions Faculty play a pivotal role in transfer student success, yet they’re often left out of the strategy huddle. This facilitated discussion will explore how faculty can become powerful allies in advancing equitable transfer pathways—from designing transfer-friendly curriculum to supporting articulation and advocating for inclusive policies. Join colleagues from across disciplines to share wins, tackle challenges, and crowdsource actionable plays that empower faculty to be true champions for transfer students. Whether you’re a faculty member, administrator, or transfer advocate, come ready to collaborate and leave with practical ideas to bring back to your campus. Facilitator: Cathy Moore, Miami University Regionals Panelists: Dr. Marianne Cotugno, Miami University; Donna Evans, Miami University; Dr. Tom Mays, Miami University; Jennifer McDermott, Sinclair College; Dr. Kelly Renner, Franklin University; and Dr. Mary Wells, Sinclair College |
| 11:45 a.m. ET | BREAK: Chair Yoga with Dr. Candice Grant, OATN |
| 12:00 p.m. ET | PANEL – Student Voices: The Transfer Experience Transfer students bring diverse backgrounds, strengths, and challenges that can deeply enrich a campus, but their transition often comes with unique hurdles. This panel will feature recorded segments from current and former transfer students sharing firsthand experiences about what helped and hindered their success. Transfer staff from regional institutions will then provide responses and share their expertise. Moderator: Kimberly Collins, Sinclair College Panelists: Dr. Peggy Chalker, Southern State Community College; Rachelle Dancy, Wright State University; Christina Grote, University of Cincinnati; Yolanda Hart, Miami University Regionals; Melissa Ward, Sinclair College. |
| 12:45 p.m. ET | Closing Comments Conference Host: Rachel Fulton, University of Cincinnati |
Time
October 17, 2025 8:30 am - 1:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
