AUTHOR=Ching Shirley Siu Yin , Kwok Wilson Yeung Yuk , Ng Jeremy Tzi Dong , Zhang Lillian Weiwei , Ho Ceci Sze Wing , Cheung Kin TITLE=University Staff’s Perceptions of Community College Transfer Students’ Transition Experiences Within a “2+2” Pathway in an Asian Educational Context JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology VOLUME=13 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.808179 DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2022.808179 ISSN=1664-1078 ABSTRACT=

Various countries have alternative pathway policies for 2-year community college graduates to articulate to 2-year university study, forming a “2+2” pathway. However, few studies have explored university staff members’ perceptions of this “2+2” transfer pathway and their understanding of transfer students’ (TSs) transition experiences. This descriptive qualitative study addressed this research gap. Forty-two academic and supporting staff participated in the focus group interviews. Specifically, the study explored the assets and challenges of the “2+2” pathway from the university staff perspective in Hong Kong. The articulation pathway and TSs are highly recognized for their prior learning, academic performances, and the value of the second chance. However, while the university staff were sympathetic to the challenges filling these transfer pathways, their offering of help was limited by government funding and policies restrictions. It is recommended that policies should be established at government and university levels to recognize and tackle TSs’ unique needs to alleviate their heavy workloads through better articulation between community college and university studies. Improving articulation will allow TSs time for social involvement in university life and thus enhance their mental well-being.