Are You Really Transfer-Friendly? What Community Colleges Can Teach Us
In Episode 15 of TransferTalk, host Jay Fedje sits down with John Endicott, Dean of Student Services at West Hills College Coalinga, for a refreshingly honest look at what it means to serve today’s students—and why the term “transfer-friendly” needs a serious rewrite.
This is an episode for anyone grappling with enrollment cliffs, serving first-gen learners, or wondering how to meet the moment in higher ed.
The Private-to-Public Shift: Lessons From Both Sides
Endicott’s journey spans four-year privates, high schools, and now the public two-year space—giving him a unique lens on student pathways. What’s clear? Community colleges are not just stepping stones anymore. They’re often the destination, especially for adults, athletes, and out-of-state learners navigating complex personal and academic needs.
Adult Learners Are Fueling the Comeback
COVID hit community college enrollment hard, but the post-pandemic rebound is being driven by adult learners. Endicott notes that students with “some college, no credential” are returning not just for degrees, but for economic mobility. They know that $25/hour doesn’t stretch far in today’s world—and a credential can be the difference.
Why “Free College” Still Isn’t Enough
One of the most powerful moments in the episode? When Endicott explains the “value of free” paradox: community college may be free in California, but students still struggle to stay enrolled. Why? Time poverty. Family responsibilities, work schedules, and life logistics—not tuition—are the real barriers.
“It’s not the cost. It’s the time. It’s life.”
Transfer Pathways Are No Longer Linear
Today’s students arrive with credits from AP, dual enrollment, or multiple institutions. That perfect “2 years = 60 credits” model? It’s mostly fiction.
Colleges must now customize pathways, course by course, semester by semester. And when every student is essentially a transfer-in-progress, how you handle articulations becomes critical.
“Transfer-Friendly” vs. “Transfer-Magnetic”
Endicott delivers one of the most memorable analogies on the show: being transfer-friendly is like a restaurant offering a side salad and claiming to be vegan-friendly. Real value lies in the main course—not just window dressing.
“We used to think a lunch during orientation made us transfer-friendly. But did we ever actually ask the transfers?”
Four-years: take note. If you’re only offering substitutions, students will notice.
Actionable Advice for Four-Year Institutions
Endicott’s advice to four-year schools looking to truly embrace transfer students:
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Run focus groups with both current and stopped-out transfers
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Map actual pathways, not ideal ones
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Involve faculty in the outcome conversation
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Invest in systems that support ongoing articulation and credit review
Listen Now
This episode is a must-hear for academic leaders, registrars, and enrollment teams ready to evolve how they serve transfers.
👉 Listen to Episode 15 of TransferTalk
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