LMU Transfer Pathway Is Lauded

ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT | The Transfer Pathway program of Loyola Marymount University’s Enrollment Management is among a handful of programs nationally that were singled out for excellence in serving Latino students.

Excelencia in Education, a 15-year-old organization that has become a trusted source of information on Latino student achievement, listed the LMU program in the Baccalaureate category for Enrollment Management’s work on enrolling, retaining and graduating Latino students. This year, Excelencia in Education recognized 20 “Programs to Watch” from seven states plus Washington, D.C.

“Transfer students bring with them unique perspectives, determination and drive. They enhance the richness of our LMU community,” said Thomas A. Gutto, director of transfer admission and enrollment services. “LMU’s Transfer Pathway program is committed to supporting Latino students, nurturing their talents, encouraging lifelong learning and fostering their development as leaders in our community.”

Pathway students enroll at one of three partner institutions, Santa Monica College, East Los Angeles College, El Camino College, as a member of a special cohort and take two semesters of pre-approved, LMU-transferable coursework. As early as their second semester, upon certification of completion of core and major preparatory coursework, and after having earned a minimum 3.00 GPA, they are granted automatic admission to LMU. Further, if they earn a 3.75 GPA or higher in Pathway coursework, they qualify for a Transfer Merit Scholarship in the amount of $5,000 annually for three years of LMU enrollment.

The advantage of the Transfer Pathway program, along with the personal attention students receive through this cohort model, is that they have the opportunity to graduate from LMU in a timely manner dependent on the selected major. During their enrollment in the Transfer Pathways program, students hold an LMU ID card and have access to William H. Hannon Library, the university’s Academic Resource Center, LMU Athletic events, Career and Professional Development and, of course, admission counseling and advisement through the Office of Transfer Admission and Enrollment Services.

Excelencia in Education was created in 2004 by Sarita Brown and Deborah Santiago. The organization is recognized as a trusted source on Latino student achievement; as a resource for influencing education policy at the institutional, state, and national levels; and, seen as an advocate for the use of evidence-based practices and strategies that accelerate success for all, leading with Latino students, according to edexcelencia.org.

logo-instagram