UTSA President Holds Focus Group at NVC

[image 1]Making the transfer process easier for students was the purpose of a fact-finding mission by UTSA President Dr. Ricardo Romo, who visited the campus on May 6. 

He met with a group of students to conduct an informal focus group to ask them questions about the transfer process. He asked the students a variety of questions, such as what led them to go to NVC, what forms of communication do they use; and their likes and dislikes about the transfer process.

[image 2]A few of the students responded that they felt they weren't mentally ready for a big university and sitting in a classroom with hundreds of other students seemed intimidating.

“Honestly going to NVC has been one of the best experiences in my life. A community college is not just about the beginning of where you want to go, but it also teaches you how to live,” said one of the students.

When asked about the transfer process, some of the students said they would like to see the process smoother and both UTSA and NVC are one the same page when it comes to advising. A few of the students expressed frustration that they were given different advice on courses that would be counted and not.

[image 4]Romo chimed in by saying this issue has plagued community colleges and universities for many years and it's still a work in progress. NVC President Jackie Claunch, who attended the focus group, also said by Texas law if a student takes courses in the core curriculum then a Texas university or college must recognized and accept those courses. 

However, Jackie added the transfer process can get held up if students take courses outside of the core and the transferring university does not recognize those courses.