Navigating competitive transfer pathways: How do institutions support transfer students in Health and IT majors?

The health care and information technology (IT) fields demand a more diverse set of qualified graduates who can appropriately fulfill the needs of the varied communities they serve. Currently, community colleges serve as stepping stones for diverse student populations and groups. When it comes to pursuing Health- or IT-related fields, community college students are often drawn to those majors with positive career placements and outcomes. Such majors include nursing, business, engineering, and education. However, at many colleges and universities, these majors are considered limited access, meaning that they have strict academic admissions criteria and accept only a limited number of students each year. This study seeks to understand community college student experiences and perceptions related to health or IT transfer pathway careers and success. We specifically examine Health and IT transfer pathways for students studying at a public community college in the Midwest (MidCC) to a large public research institution in the Midwest (MidU) and the faculty and staff working with these populations of students.