Professor Mark D’Amico Leads Session at U.S. Department of Education Summit on Community College Transition
Cato College of Education Professor Mark D’Amico is continuing his national leadership in improving the community college-to-university transition following a student transfer summit hosted by the U.S. Department of Education. The summit, a pivotal component of the “Raise the Bar: Attaining College Excellence and Equity” initiative, convened 200 higher education leaders at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) in Annandale, Virginia, to address the critical challenge of facilitating seamless transfer for students between colleges.
The summit, which attracted educators, administrators, and researchers from across the nation, focused on strategies to streamline transfer processes, ultimately empowering students to save time and resources while pursuing their academic goals. Acknowledging the significant hurdles students face during transfers, the summit spotlighted the urgent need for cohesive policies and strong partnerships between community college and university systems.
D’Amico, a scholar in the Department of Educational Leadership, delivered a presentation on leveraging transfer as a workforce development strategy. Drawing from his expertise in education policy and work of the Transfer Research Team at UNC Charlotte, Professor D’Amico shed light on the intersection of transfer policies and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. He spoke to the importance of inclusive transfer pathways, challenging states and institutions to reevaluate their policies and practices, especially for students transferring with an Associate in Applied Science, often thought to be a terminal degree.
“Dr. D’Amico’s contribution to the Transfer Summit exemplifies the commitment of the Cato College of Education to advancing inclusive and equitable educational pathways,” said Dean Malcolm Butler. “His insights into workforce development and transfer policies underscore the pivotal and consequential role education plays in shaping economic opportunity and social mobility.”
In addition to his academic contributions, Professor D’Amico brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the field. As a seasoned educator, researcher, and administrator, he has dedicated his career to fostering improved outcomes for community college students and informing policies that empower diverse populations. D’Amico shared, “The Raise the Bar Summit on community college transfer showed how far we have come and how far we have to go. The U.S. Department of Education leveraged momentum by convening researchers and state and institutional leaders to make transfer more seamless for students nationwide.”
The transfer summit ultimately looked toward dismantling barriers to higher education and fostering a more accessible and equitable learning landscape and underscores the importance of a collective commitment to excellence, equity, and success for all who support students.