Strategic Approach to Mobility, Transfer, Academic Partnership

"Many bachelor's-granting institutions seek to recruit Maricopa students, but these institutions often fall short in serving them effectively by not applying previously earned coursework, overlooking their specific needs or failing to accept credit for prior learning in transfer. After years of requesting changes from transfer partners without seeing adequate response, Maricopa Community Colleges determined it was time to take action by establishing clear criteria and an evaluation process."

"Each university partnership is formalized through a memorandum of understanding that outlines the roles, expectations and mutual responsibilities of Maricopa and the partner institution. Recognizing the need for a more strategic and data-informed approach, MCCCD developed a model years ago to ensure that both potential and existing transfer partnerships align with the district's evolving strategic priorities. The model provides a structured framework for assessing new and continuing partnerships based on institutional relevance, resource capacity and student need."

Maricopa County Community College District serves approximately 100,000 students annually and prioritizes university transfer. Thirty-eight percent of district students indicate transfer to a university as an enrollment goal. A significant portion of students transfer to Arizona's three public universities via the Arizona Transfer System, and the district maintains articulation agreements with over 35 colleges and universities. Many receiving institutions have not consistently applied previously earned coursework or accepted credit for prior learning. After repeated requests produced inadequate change, Maricopa created clear partnership criteria and an evaluation process and developed a model to assess partnerships by relevance, capacity, and student need, overhauling the model in 2022.

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