Contact Information

Michelle Volkmann
Media Relations Specialist

volkmi01@luther.edu

Phone: 563-387-1417

Luther College faculty, staff committed to improving pathways for transfer students

Students who transfer to Luther College from other institutions have traditionally been a small part of the new student population each year. But through participation in the Iowa Private Transfer Collaborative and the hard work of Luther faculty and staff, Luther is preparing to welcome more transfer students in the future.

college students walk to classes at Luther College

Through participation in the Iowa Private Transfer Collaborative and the hard work of Luther faculty and staff, Luther is preparing to welcome more transfer students in the future.

The project started when Luther and 18 other four-year institutions formed the Iowa Private Transfer Collaborative. With support from a three-year grant from the Arthur Vining Davis and Teagle foundations, the Iowa Private Transfer Collaborative brings together faculty from community colleges and four-year institutions to ensure the seamless transfer of academic credit.

Luther has addressed several challenges for student transfers, including streamlining processes, designating an admissions staff person to assist prospective students, and easing access to transfer course equivalencies. Now, transfer students are experiencing a smooth admission process.

Art professor Ben Moore explained how Luther’s curriculum committee reviewed approximately 8,000 courses from regional institutions last summer and determined the equivalent course credit at Luther.

“It was no small task,” Moore said.

Once the curriculum committee completed their work, this information was added to Transferology, a free online tool to help students explore their transfer options by answering the question, “Will my courses transfer?”

“Now it’s all in one spot,” Moore said. “We are dedicated to making the process of joining the Luther community smooth for transfer students. Transferology is one part of Luther’s ongoing goal to be a transfer-friendly college.”

Another part is the Iowa Private Transfer Guarantee agreement, which guarantees admission for students who have earned an associate of arts or an associate of science degree at a community college in Iowa. Fifteen Iowa community college presidents approved the Iowa Private Transfer Guarantee agreement with the Iowa Private Transfer Collaborative in October 2024. Essentially, this agreement streamlines the transfer process for students at Iowa community colleges.

“As a proud partner of the Iowa Private Transfer Collaborative, we are excited to offer more students a pathway to thrive and succeed at Luther College,” said Matt Beatty, vice president for enrollment management at Luther. “We welcomed 27 new transfer students to Luther College last fall, representing 10 states, including Iowa, and four countries. We are especially proud that 18.5% of these students are first-generation.”

Jermaine Dizon

Luther junior Jermaine Dizon believes that Luther is well on its way to becoming a transfer-friendly institution.

Luther junior Jermaine Dizon believes that Luther is well on its way to becoming a transfer-friendly institution. This global health major from Charles City described his experience as “smooth.”

“My teammates, coaches and professors took the time to ease me into everything Luther and Decorah-related and made sure I was adjusting well,” Dizon said. “They put me in contact with fellow students within my area of interest. Residence life made it easy to get adjusted by sending me all the necessary information and the admissions team answered all of my questions and concerns.”

Dizon is a member of Luther’s men’s cross country and track and field teams.

“Transferring to Luther has been the best decision I’ve made; my only regret is not coming here sooner,” he said.

Contact Information

Michelle Volkmann
Media Relations Specialist

volkmi01@luther.edu

Phone: 563-387-1417