Department of Education grant to strengthen transfer infrastructure

Inside TXST

Jayme Blaschke | October 5, 2018

University College at Texas State University has received a $2.4 million Developing Hispanic Serving Institutions (DHSI) grant from the U.S. Department of Education to support Project Maestros, with the goal of improving the transfer pipeline for community college students.

In addition to strengthening relationships with area community college students, the grant will help Texas State increase matriculation and success rates for new and continuing transfer students, as well as provide student professional development to promote successful student transition to the workforce.

"This project provides opportunities to develop a model transfer student success program along the I-35 corridor," said Dann Brown, dean of University College and principle investigator of the grant. "Transfer navigators will guide students as they consider Texas State and reflect upon the courses they have taken and how they will transfer to their future degree plan. This model transfer initiative will support and encourage academic success with an eye on future career goals."

Project Maestros aims to develop a transfer success team that will improve and expand the transfer student pipeline with Austin Community College and Alamo Community College District campuses through communication, information exchange, transfer orientation and timely articulation of credits prior to and upon matriculation to the university. The project will support achievement of student goals for postsecondary completion and transition to the workforce. In addition, it is expected to enhance students’ success in the future profession as a result of skills developed through professional development that improve career achievement and satisfaction.

Through relationships with established transfer partners in Austin and San Antonio, the project has begun on a solid foundation of promoting innovation in transfer services, Brown said. 

The DHSI (Title V, Part A) provides grants to assist HSIs to expand educational opportunities for, and improve the attainment of, Hispanic students. The purpose of Title V grants is to:

• To expand educational opportunities for; and improve the academic attainment of Hispanic students; and
• Expand and enhance the academic offerings, program quality, and institutional stability of the colleges and universities that educate the majority of Hispanic students.

Texas State, a designated Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), provides opportunities within 97 bachelor’s, 92 master’s, and 14 doctoral degree programs to its 38,661 students. The university ranks 14th nationally for total bachelor’s degrees awarded to Hispanic students, and is the 30th largest university in the United States.