| Transfer Week 2008 |
"Academic and Social Integration of Transfer Students"
Thomas Brown, Principal
Thomas Brown & Associates, LLC
Saint Helena, CA
Session Description: Increasing numbers of students will continue to transfer from one institution to another, and perhaps to another and yet another. Nearly half of all students of color who enter higher education do so through two-year colleges, and many of these students indicate their plans to transfer to four-year institutions. If transfer students are to be successful, they will need educators in two-year and four-year institutions who collaborate to support these students to develop and achieve their personal, educational, and career goals. Using Ann Lynch’s “moving in, moving through, and moving on” framework, this session will consider the pre-transfer, transfer, and post-transfer needs of this cohort, as well as sharing individual and programmatic strategies that can support students’ academic and social integration.
About the Keynote Speaker: Thomas ("Tom") Brown served as an educator in academic and student affairs for 27 years, most recently as the Dean of Advising Services/Special Programs at Saint Mary's College of California. In addition to developing and administering Saint Mary's nationally recognized academic advising program, he was responsible for new student and family orientation programs, Academic Support and Achievement (e.g., tutoring, services for students with disabilities), pre-law advising, and the Offices of Asian Pacific American, Black, Latino, and International Student Programs. Tom initiated Saint Mary's International Students' Program and recruited for the College in Asia for five years. He also developed the High Potential Program, which provided access and support to first-generation students from economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. Graduation rates for High Potential students exceeded those for all other cohorts at Saint Mary's.
Tom Brown has served as a consultant to more than 200 colleges and universities, and he is regularly invited to deliver keynote addresses at national conferences, campus colloquia, and workshops for faculty and staff. He is also widely known for his ability to engage, inspire and motivate students. He has published and presented extensively in areas related to student retention, academic advising, international education, and promoting the achievement and success of multicultural, international and at-risk students. Tom has held numerous leadership positions in the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA), served as Chair of the Pre-law Advisors National Council, and he has earned numerous awards and recognition for his leadership and program development in the US and abroad.