Transfer students find resources at PSU that ease transition
Tuesday, October 10, 2017 2:00 AM
Science and Technology, News
Pittsburg, KS
When Tyler Korte graduated from high school in Humboldt, Kansas, his primary considerations were cost and the ability to continue living at home.
Allen County Community College provided a solution.
After earning his Associate's Degree in science in one year, Korte wanted to continue his education: He's pursuing a career in construction engineering technology.
The resources that Pittsburg State has in place to help ease the transition for transfer students, combined with exactly what Korte was looking for in academic programming, faculty expertise and inexpensive tuition, enticed him to seek his bachelor's degree.
Korte transferred here in August, one of several hundred students to do so each year from the 25 community colleges with which Pittsburg State has articulation agreements.
It was a good choice, he said.
"I've loved getting into my construction classes," Korte said. "I like the teachers in the program — the people really are great here. They all have backgrounds in the industry, some more than 20 years, and they're able to bring that knowledge from actual careers to the classroom."
He also appreciates the relatively small campus.
"It makes me feel more comfortable to come to a smaller university – there's more of a family feel, and it's a way better fit for me than someplace really large," he said.
But the best part of his experience, Korte believes, was a transitions class for transfer students.
Held as part of the Transfer Scholar Leadership Program, its goals include encouraging and promoting involvement at PSU by transfer students who have demonstrated their leadership potential while in community college.
Students selected for the program participate in a Transfer Scholar Leadership Transitions course their first semester, as well as complete no less than 15 hours of service hours each of their first three semesters. Service activities focus on activities and programs that assist other transfer students in making a successful transition to PSU.
Prospective transfer students learn about such resources during "Transfer Tuesday" events held monthly through the PSU Office of Admission. Admissions officers provide information about scholarships and financial aid for transfer students, as well as transferring credit. This event includes a campus tour, lunch in the dining hall and an appointment with a faculty member in a major area of study.
Korte was among the 12 students selected for this year's Transfer Scholar Leadership Program. Each student received a $2,000 scholarship renewable for a second year, provided the student has completed at least 24 PSU hours with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA after the first year.
"We get to engage in different parts of the campus, and the more you get involved, the more comfortable you feel," Korte said.
Part of that involvement for Korte has been in the Associated General Contractors student chapter, and part has been in the student chapter of Ducks Unlimited.
And, although he's away from home during the week, he's found it's an easy drive on the weekend, at just one hour. That enables him to do work for his dad's company, and to get to his duck blind for hunting.
"I'm really glad I came here," Korte said. "I'm glad I made this choice."
The next "Transfer Tuesday" event is Oct. 17.
Register or find out more: https://reg.abcsignup.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0009-0020-2b6b4b85b7db4396821082f91d08a0af