Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches MassTransfer Steering Committee

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced the launch of the MassTransfer Steering Committee. MassTransfer is a state program that provides transfer pathways for community college students looking to complete a bachelor’s degree. The committee will advise the Department of Higher Education (DHE) and the Board of Higher Education (BHE) on strengthening MassTransfer and advancing the legislative mandate to implement common course numbering throughout Massachusetts’ public system of higher education. Under common course numbering, lower-level courses across Massachusetts’ public system of higher education would share a system of common course prefixes and numbers, helping students to more easily transfer and maximize their existing credits.   
 
“MassTransfer is a vital pathway to success for students across Massachusetts,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “This new steering committee will help find ways to simplify the process and allow students to transfer credits between institutions more easily and efficiently. This process reflects our commitment to ensure every student has access to a seamless, high-quality education that meets their needs and aspirations.”     
 
“As free community college brings remarkable enrollment growth, we want to make sure we are providing as clear and strong of a pathway possible for students looking to continue on and earn a bachelor's degree,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega. “The MassTransfer Steering Committee will bring crucial expertise as we work to lift barriers for students looking to further their education.”  
 
According to DHE data, 20% of Massachusetts community college students transfer to a four-year institution within four years of starting their associate degree. Pell Grant-eligible students transfer at lower rates (17.2%) than their peers who did not receive Pell Grants (25.9%).  

Further, 24% of students enrolling in a community college in fall 2020 transferred to a four-year institution within four years of enrolling at a community college. This rate was 20.6% for students receiving a Pell Grant in their first year and 27% for students not receiving a Pell grant in their first year. 
 
The MassTransfer Steering Committee held its first meeting on Friday, October 3, which can be watched here. 
 
The MassTransfer Steering Committee is made up of higher education presidents and faculty members, registrars, student representatives and business community members. Committee members include:  

• Claudine Barnes, Professor, Cape Cod Community College; President, Massachusetts Community College Council (MCCC) 
• Oren Cohen, Student Trustee, Mount Wachusett Community College 
• Reyes Coll-Tellechea, Professor, University of Massachusetts Boston  
• Joanna Gonsalves, Professor, Salem State University
• Monique Lopez, Registrar, Westfield State University   
• Barry Maloney, President, Worcester State University  
• Susan Martin, Registrar, Bunker Hill Community College  
• Midori Morikawa, Head of Corporate Citizenship, State Street  
• Trinh Nguyen, Trustee, Bunker Hill Community College; Chief of Worker Empowerment, City of Boston  
• Christian Orellana, Student and Student Government Association Member; UMass Boston 
• Darlene Rodowicz, Trustee, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts; COE, Berkshire Health Systems  
• Patrick Sullivan, Registrar, University of Massachusetts Amherst 
• George Timmons, President, Holyoke Community College 
• Nefertiti Walker, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Equity, University of Massachusetts   

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