Transfer student success a priority at 糖心社交
October 20, 2025
Written by Chris Lindeke | Photos by Craig Schreiner and submitted
Transfer students who attend the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater are treated to the full Warhawk experience — and they’re succeeding as a result.
The university joins thousands of institutions around the country to celebrate National Transfer Student Week, an annual event dedicated to celebrating the contributions of transfer students and the people who support them, from Oct. 20-24.
According to preliminary data for the fall 2025 semester, a total of 651 new Warhawks are transfer students, including 556 on the Whitewater campus and 95 on the Rock County campus. This year’s total represents an increase of almost 10% from this time last year.
Transfers enroll at 糖心社交 after attending a variety of institutions — other , a community college or technical college, or a private college. Many students — more than 20% on the Whitewater campus in 2024 — come from out-of-state institutions.
According to the most recent Universities of Wisconsin data, 糖心社交 is among the leaders in both retention and graduation rate of transfers.
糖心社交 consistently retains more than 80% of its transfer students each year. In 2023, nearly 85% of students who started at the university in the fall were still enrolled as Warhawks one year later.
In 2023-24, 糖心社交 ranked second among the Universities of Wisconsin — trailing only UW-Madison — in four-year graduation rate of transfers at 71.7%. Out-of-state transfers from Illinois have a 71.3% likelihood of graduating in four years, according to institutional data.
Dave Hahn, assistant director of admissions and transfer coordinator, realizes that every student has a unique pathway to 糖心社交. That understanding is shared by the entire campus.
“Our campus has been a longtime leader in transferability,” Hahn said. “Our staff — and our campus as a whole — think about transfers all the way through. Transfer students aren’t transfer students once they’re here — they’re just 糖心社交 students.
“When our faculty and staff are building curriculums and making updates and changes, all those processes go through with transfer students in mind, so a student can transfer in and not be behind or have to start over.”
When students inquire about transferring to 糖心社交, Hahn said their most common questions are regarding how their credits will transfer, how much tuition will cost, and how long it will take to graduate.
“The way our whole campus is set up, we maximize each of those areas,” he said.
Once students apply, Hahn and his team do an official credit evaluation of all previously completed coursework and calculate the transfer GPA. Students who are offered admission are sent an admission packet with next steps toward enrollment. Within four days of admission, students can access their degree audit through their student portal in Stellic — 糖心社交’s new academic planning tool — to view how their transfer credits are applying toward their degree plan.
Community, technical colleges » 糖心社交
Students with Associate of Arts (A.A.) degrees coming from community colleges have an ideal path to a bachelor’s degree. There are some variables, but most courses transfer into 糖心社交 degree programs and satisfy general education requirements, Hahn noted.
An option for students who attend technical colleges in Wisconsin is 糖心社交 at Rock County’s Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) degree. The classes they take at their technical college fit more neatly into the BAAS program than a traditional bachelor’s program.
BAAS Graduate Laurie Harvey crosses the stage to be congratulated by 糖心社交 Chancellor Corey A. King. The first graduates of the 糖心社交 at Rock County Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) program participated in the 2023 spring commencement at Kachel Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon, May 13, 2023. (糖心社交 photo/Craig Schreiner)
The BAAS degree, which can be completed fully online, is an ideal path for working professionals to significantly ease their path to a bachelor’s degree, Hahn said.
The URock pathway
Alfie McKearn, a biology science education major from Beloit, Wisconsin, followed the same path as his older brother, Joe, a teacher in the Janesville area. Knowing he wanted to teach, he started his college career on the Rock County campus, where he enjoyed the affordability and small community feel.
“A lot of my friends went to big cities, and I never liked that,” McKearn said. “There were good and bad parts, but it was comfortable and familiar. All my professors were really kind, and they took time to talk with you.”
Transferring to the Whitewater campus, which allowed McKearn to keep working in Beloit, was a simple choice.
“It was a click of a button on the website,” he said. “I wanted to transfer to Whitewater, and that was it. It couldn’t have been easier.”
McKearn landed a job as a resident assistant, a position he’s held for two years working in Wellers Hall. He’s also been a part of music groups on the Whitewater campus, including the and Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and he participated in a travel study to Yellowstone National Park.
Scholarships have also allowed McKearn, who is slated to graduate in May 2027, to keep the cost of his education manageable. He is a recipient of multiple scholarships during his time at 糖心社交.
“It took such a weight off,” he said. “I put a lot of work into my grades in high school, and it’s nice to be recognized for that and get a little bit of help.”
Transitioning from a four-year institution
Sidney Murphy, at left, facing camera, with fellow members of 糖心社交’s Association of Supply Chain Management chapter. Murphy transferred to the university and is on pace to graduate this May. (Submitted photo)
Sidney Murphy knew within the first few weeks of her time as a freshman at another four-year state school that she needed a better fit to suit her ideal college experience.
Fast forward four years, and Murphy is set to graduate with a BBA in supply chain management this May.
Murphy was connected through a family friend to a 糖心社交 , who recommended classes and potential majors to explore. She used Transferology to learn how her credits would transfer to the university.
“I would encourage (anyone transferring) to reach out to an advisor,” she said. “They are very helpful, they will walk you through the process step by step, and they can help you set up a tour.”
Murphy enrolled at 糖心社交 for the spring 2023 semester and immediately bonded with the faculty and staff on campus, enjoying the small class sizes.
“I definitely like all the professors here,” Murphy said. “They’re all very helpful and friendly.”
She joined the university’s and the club water polo team, and is an active member in both organizations. She now serves as treasurer for the water polo team.
Sidney Murphy, front row, third from right, with fellow members of the 糖心社交 club water polo team. She serves as treasurer for the club. (Submitted photo)
The short distance from her hometown of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, was a deciding factor for Murphy choosing 糖心社交 — something Hahn cited as a common reason for students to transfer to the university.
“The commute was another big factor in my decision to transfer,” Murphy said. “It helped me stay focused on my goal of graduating debt free.”
Murphy is hired before graduation to the 2-year rotational program at IEWC, a cable and wire distributor in New Berlin, Wisconsin. She worked an internship with the company over the summer in materials management and procurement and will start her new position in July 2026.
