BU Admissions Team Focusing on Transfers
Bluefield University admissions counselors are increasing their efforts to recruit transfer students, and the work is paying off, based on this spring’s transfer and new student numbers.
According to Travis Roberts, vice president for enrollment and marketing, 17 new transfers enrolled at BU this spring, up slightly compared to transfer numbers from spring 2024, but even more encouraging were overall new student numbers this spring that were up to 28 compared to 18 overall new student numbers in spring 2024.
Brooke Osborne, BU’s interim director of traditional admissions spoke about the new efforts to increase transfer student numbers. She said the growth is a result of a combination of strategic efforts designed to make Bluefield University an appealing option for students looking to further their higher education. She added that transfer admissions counselor Austin Bolden is a key factor behind the rising transfer numbers.
“He’s the person who really runs the show when it comes to transfers,” Osborne said. “He goes above and beyond to be present on campus and really focuses on making himself visible. His approach is all about making connections and creating an inviting atmosphere for transfer students.”
Osborne also praised Bolden’s commitment to long hours and extra efforts to recruit prospective transfer students.
“He stays late, calls students, and really shows his heart and dedication to making Bluefield University a welcoming place for them,” Osborne said.
In addition to Bolden’s personal efforts, BU has taken a number of steps to ensure transfer students have a smooth transition. For starters, Roberts has modified articulation agreements with other colleges to ease students’ transitions to BU and to ensure their credits transfer successfully and that they have a clear, efficient path to graduation.
“The updates to the articulation agreements were specifically designed to keep students informed and to make the transfer process as friendly as possible,” Osborne said.
Osborne added that the university also tailors its process to meet the unique needs of transfer students, focusing on affordability and a supportive environment.
“Affordability is huge,” Osborne said. “A lot of our transfer students come from community colleges where they can attend for free, so it’s important that BU offers an affordable option for them.”
She said the university’s personal touch is another key advantage.
“Because the campus is small, transfer students have more opportunities for personal connections with faculty and staff, which makes them feel more at home and supported,” Osborne said.
Updated articulation agreements, a focus on affordability and personal touches, and the commitment and dedication of admissions counselors all have created a transfer-friendly environment at Bluefield University. Because of this, more and more students are considering BU in search of a more personalized and supportive college experience.