A group of transfer students in the classroom at WMU

Transfer Student Services

Video of Transfer Student Services | Why Western

Our mission:

Making the decision to transfer can be a difficult choice. Transfer Student Services (TSS) works with incoming transfer students to help ensure as smooth a transition as possible.

Who we are:

Transfer Student Services is one of six units within the Office of Student Transitions. TSS was originally established in June of 2007 as one half of the Advocacy Office for Transfer Students and Military Affairs under the vision of then Interim President, Dr. Diether Haenicke, with the purpose of identifying institutional practices, policies and procedures that impact transfer student success.

What we do:

  • Coordinate Orientation programs for incoming transfer students.
  • Coordinates special programming for transfer and adult learner (age 22+ beginner) students attending the Fall Welcome program.
  • Advocates for transfer students via participation on various campus committees and attending meetings related to curriculum.
  • Assists students seeking credit for three or more CBDRO classes by working with campus departments to secure possible academic credit here at WMU.

Fun facts:

  • WMU has reverse transfer agreements with all 28 Michigan community colleges and one in Illinois.
  • WMU offers more than $600,000 in annual scholarships to transfer students.
  • Transfer students have an average 3.10 transfer GPA.
  • The top five transfer institutions are Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Grand Rapids Community College, Lake Michigan College, Oakland Community College and Macomb Community College.
  • Qualifying transfer students are invited to become a part of the Lee Honors College.
  • Study Abroad is available to all transfer students.

Tau Sigma National Honor Society:

A national honor society designed exclusively for transfer students. The mission is to “recognize and promote the academic excellence and involvement of transfers students.” Tau Sigma provides its members opportunities to earn scholarships, attend leadership conferences, take leadership positions in the university, serve others at the university and in the community, all while developing friendships and becoming a more integral part of the university.

Phi Theta Kappa:

Western Michigan University was the only school in Michigan selected for the National Transfer Honor Roll by Phi Theta Kappa, the world’s oldest and largest honor society for community college students.

Phi Theta Kappa has a membership of more than 3 million members with 1,300 chapters in nine nations. In their 100–year history, their mission has remained the same—recognizing scholars and preparing them for successful futures. Student members have 92 percent graduation rate at the associate degree level and carry an average GPA of 3.8.

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