Congratulations to Jude Fleurismond who on Friday, July 25, 2025, successfully defended his dissertation. The title of Jude’s dissertation is "LOW TRANSFER RATES OF ADULT COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS TO 4-YEAR COLLEGES OR UNIVERSITIES."
Overview of Problem: The demand for post-secondary education has led to an increase in the number of students at community colleges seeking to advance their studies. However, this is not the case for adult learners, who transfer from community colleges to four-year colleges or university at lower rates. Multiple studies indicate that less than 10% of adult learners from community college transfer to four-year colleges and universities.
Research Purpose: The study seeks to understand the reasons for the low transfer rates of adult learners and to recommend appropriate measures to address the problem.
Research Design: The study adopted a qualitative research design guided by Malcom Knowles’s Theory of Adult Learning, specifically Knowles’s idea of the self-concept, which acknowledges that adult learners’ decisions reflect autonomy and self-direction. The study answered two key research questions: 1) How do adult learners navigate the transfer process, including understanding the requirements and benefits of transfer agreements? and 2) What types of transfer services do adult students perceive as important in preparing them for the transition to four-year educational programs?
Sample: Participants included 20 adult learners who had successfully transferred to a 4-year college or university after community college.
Data Collection and Analysis: Data was obtained through semi-structured interviews and a thematic analysis was conducted to understand adult learners’ perspectives on reasons for low transfer rates.
Findings/Results: Findings indicated that personal and academic readiness, influence of institutional and advisory support, practical considerations, and college experience and perceptions were key factors influencing decision-making among adult learners.
Conclusions/Implications: The study recommendations include the need to provide dedicated adult transfer advisors, regular transfer planning workshops, peer mentorship programs, timely credit evaluations, career counseling with academic advising, and joint transfer fairs with partner institutions.
Dissertation Committee Chair(s):
Dr. Peter F. Troiano
Dissertation Committee Member(s):
Dr. Nicole Joseph
Dr. Dana Stilley
Take Your Career to the Next Level
Elevate your leadership skills, deepen your understanding of critical and contemporary education issues, and learn to help solve the current challenges in P-20 education.
Learn to Inspire Change
The Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership from 91Ö±²¥, offered in partnership with Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES, utilizes a forward-thinking approach to educational leadership that is ideal for practicing and aspiring leaders in any educational context. It is designed to support the goals of educational professionals who seek to develop their leadership skills for career advancement or current job enhancement. 
