If It’s Not Built for Students, Rebuild It

It Takes Two to Tango: A Listener's Question on Partnership and Transfer

After receiving a thoughtful email from a listener, Loida explores a difficult but important question: What happens when one institution wants to partner, and the other doesn't? Building on a recent conversation about how universities can be better partners to community colleges, this solo episode examines the other side of the equation. Drawing on findings from her doctoral research with community college professionals across Texas, Loida discusses the realities of transfer collaboration, the barriers that emerge when institutions operate in silos, and why partnership cannot be sustained by one side alone. The conversation expands beyond traditional transfer to explore learning mobility, institutional alignment, and the growing need to recognize learning acquired through military service, workforce training, dual enrollment, prior learning assessment, and other pathways. Ultimately, this episode challenges institutions to move beyond good intentions and toward shared understanding, meaningful collaboration, and actionable outcomes that better serve students. If transfer is a promise, then partnership—and alignment—are how we keep that promise. Host: Loida González, Ed.D. Director, Recruitment & Enrollment Services Texas A&M University–Central Texas FMI on The Assembly: https://www.aacrao.org/events-training/meetings/the-assembly/balancing-access-and-accountability [https://www.aacrao.org/events-training/meetings/the-assembly/balancing-access-and-accountability] Email us at transfertea@aacrao.org [transfertea@aacrao.org]!

Mobility by Design: Building Transfer Systems for the Future with EdVisorly

Innovation in higher education often moves slower than the students it’s meant to serve—but learning mobility demands something different. In this episode, Loida sits down with Lizzie from Edvisorly to explore how technology is reshaping the transfer experience, from credit articulation to real-time decision-making. Together, they unpack what it truly means to build systems that recognize learning as it happens, rather than forcing students to navigate outdated processes after the fact. This conversation challenges institutions to move beyond static agreements and into dynamic, student-centered ecosystems powered by data, transparency, and intentional design. Because in a world where students move faster than systems, technology isn’t just a tool—it’s the bridge between opportunity and access.     Host: Loida González, Ed.D. Director, Recruitment & Enrollment Services Texas A&M University–Central Texas https://www.linkedin.com/in/loidagonz%C3%A1lezutley/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/loidagonz%C3%A1lezutley/] Guests: Lizzie Allison Chief Innovation Officer at Edvisorly https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzieallison/ To learn more about Edvisorly: https://www.edvisorly.com/ FMI on The Assembly: https://www.aacrao.org/events-training/meetings/the-assembly/balancing-access-and-accountability Email us at transfertea@aacrao.org [transfertea@aacrao.org]!

Built by Students, Inspired by an Advisor

In recognition of Global Advising Week, this episode of Transfer Tea explores the evolving role of advising in an era shaped by learning mobility, transfer complexity, and student-centered innovation. Loida sits down with Sabih, co-founder of Stellic, to discuss how one student’s vision—deeply inspired by the mentorship of Carnegie Mellon advisor Mark Stehlik—grew into a platform focused on helping students navigate clearer academic pathways. Together, they explore why advising has become essential infrastructure for student success, how technology can strengthen human connection rather than replace it, and what institutions must do to better support today’s increasingly mobile learners. From transfer pathways to degree planning and credit mobility, this conversation highlights why the future of higher education depends on systems that are both connected and deeply human.   Host: Loida González, Ed.D. Director, Recruitment & Enrollment Services Texas A&M University–Central Texas   Guest: Sabih Bin Wasi Founder & CEO, Stellic

From Transfer to Trailblazers: The Tea Behind the System

They’ve been on both sides of transfer—as students navigating the process and as mentors helping others through it. In this episode, Mimi and Mckenna share the tea on what transfer students actually experience, what support really matters, and where institutions still fall short. Now graduate students, they reflect on how those experiences shaped who they are today—and what both students and higher ed professionals need to understand if we’re serious about getting transfer right.   Host: Loida González, Ed.D. Director, Recruitment & Enrollment Services Texas A&M University–Central Texas   Guests: Mimi Guthrey, Graduate Student, M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Colorado Christian University Mckenna Reinsch, Graduate Student, M.S. in Coastal and Marine System Sciences Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi

Are We the Partner We Expect Them to Be?

In this episode of Transfer Tea, Loida sits down with Ashley to unpack a critical question emerging from research and practice: Are universities truly being the partners they expect community colleges to be? Drawing on insights from Loida’s dissertation, the conversation explores gaps in communication, policy clarity, and shared responsibility that impact transfer students. Together, they challenge traditional assumptions about the transfer pipeline and reframe partnership as a mutual, ongoing commitment. This episode calls on institutions to move beyond expectations—and toward action that better supports students on their transfer journey.   Host: Dra. Loida González Utley Director of Recruitment and Enrollment Services Texas A&M University- Central Texas   Guest: Ashley Lattimore, MBA Director of Advising Lone Star College