Supporting Transfer Students: Wilmington University Earns Transfer Honor Roll Recognition 

Every transfer student comes to Wilmington University with a different story and starting point. Some transfer directly from community college. Others may be returning to college after time away, changing careers, or completing a degree they began years earlier. Far from starting over, these students arrive with knowledge, experience, and a sense of purpose.  

Meeting the specific needs of transfer students includes making sure their past hard work counts. By creating clear pathways that build on previous accomplishments, WilmU helps transfer learners save time and stay focused on degree completion. That commitment to reliable, everyday support forms the foundation of how the University serves students with prior learning and experience. 

For the sixth consecutive year, WilmU has been named to the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s (PTK) Transfer Honor Roll, which recognizes institutions that are committed to helping transfer students succeed. The 2026 recognition reflects how colleges and universities serve students throughout the transfer journey, from admission through graduation, including how they help students apply previously earned credits, navigate the admissions process, access financial options, and become engaged in their new learning environments.  

“This recognition is about much more than transfer agreements,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, president and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “Successful transfer happens when institutions intentionally design policies, practices, and campus cultures that help students thrive after they arrive. These colleges have demonstrated that transfer student success is not accidental. It is a strategic priority.”  

Meeting Students Where They Are 

Many transfer students pursue higher education while balancing full-time jobs, military service, or family responsibilities. Recognizing that learning happens both inside and outside the classroom, Wilmington University evaluates completed coursework for transfer credit and awards academic credit for certain types of prior learning and experience. Students may transfer up to 90 undergraduate credits or 12 graduate credits, depending on their program and degree requirements.  

The University also offers multiple ways to complete a degree, including online and in-person options, giving students flexibility as they balance their education with other commitments. By aligning academic plans with individual schedules, students can more easily keep moving forward.  

Caring and Comprehensive Support 

Transferring goes beyond moving credits from one institution to another; students are also becoming part of a new academic community. Navigating that transition can feel overwhelming, which is why individual attention is so important. Driven by an institutional commitment to caring, WilmU connects transfer students, whether learning on campus or online, with dedicated academic advising, tutoring, financial guidance, and campus life activities, including involvement in the PTK Alumni Chapter.  

“Transfer students who were involved in Phi Theta Kappa at their first school have the opportunity to join WilmU’s chapter,” says Dr. Taylor McCusker, director of Student Life at Wilmington University. “This allows them to continue to tap into the many benefits of Phi Theta Kappa membership, such as professional development and scholarships.”  

Turning Experience Into Success 

Transfer students enrich the university community with diverse backgrounds and valuable real-world perspectives. When provided with accessible tools, personalized assistance, and clear pathways, these learners can turn their hard work and previous achievements into a completed degree.