York University is among the recipients of a $2.04-million investment from the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT), funding that will support initiatives to expand access to post-secondary education and improve learner mobility across the province.
Initiatives supported by this investment showcase innovative strategies for enhancing access to education and facilitating transitions for students pursuing their academic goals.
Among the 29 projects funded by ONCAT for the 2024-25 period, York University will lead a project that will create a more inclusive and supportive campus environment for transfer students.
Titled "The Student-Ready Campus: Building Capacity to Support Transfer Students," the project received $75,000 to provide essential training for campus partners to better understand and address unique challenges faced by transfer students to help facilitate smoother transitions and enhance academic success. The project was awarded funding as part of the ONCAT Capacity Grants, which “support the development and implementation of learner-centric policies, practices and pathways at a single post-secondary institution.”
Brian Poser, director of Academic Success & Transition Programming (ACMAPS) at York, will lead the project and says the initiative will strengthen pathways to success for transfer students.
“Our initiative aligns with work underway at ONCAT that focuses on creating welcoming and supportive campus cultures,” says Poser. “It recognizes that beyond transfer credit assessment and advising, transfer students will thrive in environments whose services are geared to their specific needs. One step in creating such a culture is to ensure staff and faculty are well-informed about the specific challenges faced by transfer students."
The project will begin with focus groups to gather insights on transfer students' needs and experiences. It will include a six-session, 12-hour training series for faculty and staff on topics such as transfer shock and academic transitions, along with an analysis of transfer credit processes and retention rates. The goal, says Poser, is to promote a culture that better supports transfer students across all service areas.
Furthermore, York was also named a partner institution for a grant supporting Queen’s University project “Expanding Pathways for Engineering Technology and Engineering Programs.”
Working with Queen’s and the University of Windsor, also a partner institution, York will play a role in creating pathways that connect engineering technology programs with accredited engineering programs. The goal is to increase access for students with college training to transition to university-level programs that are considered high demand in the province.
The funding for this project was awarded as part of the ONCAT Collaboration Grants, which “support the development and implementation of learner-centric policies, practices and pathways across multiple post-secondary institutions or the entire post-secondary sector.”
“We prioritize innovative initiatives with the potential to scale or be adopted across institutions, that help learners successfully navigate their academic journey and receive appropriate recognition for previous academic and work experience,” says Adrienne Galway, ONCAT president and CEO. “Our mission is to ensure that learners complete their post-secondary credentials and transition successfully into the workforce.”
To read about all 29 projects, see the announcement.