More than a Portfolio: Helping Transfer Students Create a Passport For Success
Reed T. Curtis, M. Ed.
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Introduction
Completing a comprehensive transfer portfolio is
a requirement of the UNI 201: Transfer Seminar
at the University of North Carolina Wilmington
(UNCW). The portfolio is designed to holistically
shape students’ success at UNCW and is divided
into four sections: transition, major research,
academic plan, and career plan. Students
critically reflect on their transitions, research
their intended major, interview a faculty
member from the field, use the citation style for
their major, create an academic plan that maps
their path towards graduation, and develop a
career plan.
Transitions
Major Research
Students write a 2-3 page paper (600-900 words) detailing their
previous and current educational experiences. They should
describe each stage of their transition (moving in, moving
through, and moving out) and the related personal, academic,
social, and career roles they played, play, and hope to play in the
future. In particular, they should address the challenges they
have experienced, are experiencing, and anticipate experiencing
here at UNCW.
Self
Support
Strategies
UNI 201 Learning Outcomes
RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION DESIGN © 2012
www.PosterPresentations.com
Students conduct an informational interview
with a UNCW faculty member in their intended
major. Students use faculty comments to
support their research.
Students research and cite from three scholarly
research articles from their field of study. They
also must research and cite from two popular
sources about their intended major.
Situation
1. Students will demonstrate an understanding
of and participate in the powerful learning
experience of higher education at UNCW.
2. Students will evaluate their transition into,
anticipate their path through, and plan for
their career after UNCW.
3. Students will understand and illustrate
information literacy.
4. Students will strengthen writing skills by
creating a research and reflection based
Transfer Portfolio which includes an
incremental draft process.
5. Students will demonstrate self-knowledge and
appreciate the value of human differences.
6. Students will demonstrate and understand
dimensions of health and wealth.
Students write a 4-5 page research paper (1200-1500 words)
detailing their intended major. They explore the following
questions: Why are you majoring in this field and how will this
help you in future studies/careers? What are current trends in
your major/ field of study? How is the economy changing your
major?
Academic Plan
Get the academic catalogue ready, students must create a
thorough academic plan. They must map out their intended path
towards graduation, an alternative path, and create a list of goals
they have for learning outside the classroom.
In 1-2 pages (300-600 words), they must describe
an alternate major pathway that they may follow if
their intended major does not work out.
Run what-if degree audits for both their intended
major and their alternate major choice.
Utilizing UNCW academic planning resources,
students create a table outlining their academic
plan at UNCW. They are provided with an Excel
spreadsheet template.
Students create a list of five goals for learning
outside the classroom that focuses on campus and
community involvement.
Students must use the citation style which is
used in their intended major (APA, Chicago
Style/Turabian, MLA, AMA, etc.) for their
references and cite all direct and indirect
quotes.
Career Plan
Students research and investigate potential career paths and
create a cover letter and résumé along the way.
Students complete the O*NET Interest Profiler and
include a print-out of their results.
Students research their ideal career on the
Occupational Outlook Handbook and write a one
page reflection regarding what they have learned.
Students write a one page (300 words) cover letter
for their ideal job. They should use Career Center
resources as a guide.
Students create a résumé. They should consider
having a Career Counselor review it prior to
submission.
Writing Intensive
Students are required to receive feedback
throughout the portfolio process.
1. The first draft of their portfolio is reviewed by
the University Writing Center and students
must make edits based on the feedback.
2. The second draft is reviewed by a peer during
a portfolio workshop each section of UNI 201
is required to have. Students must make edits
based on their peer’s feedback.
3. The third draft is reviewed by the UNI 201
instructor and students must make edits
based on the instructor’s feedback.
4. The final portfolio is then turned in.
Information Literacy
Students are required to thoroughly evaluate
and appropriately cite all sources used in the
portfolio. They must locate, evaluate, and
determine if sources are scholarly or popular.
Three scholarly sources and two popular sources
are required.
Assessment
Feedback regarding the portfolio has largely
been positive. In fall 2013, 92.86% of UNI 201
students who completed the end of course
survey (n=70) indicated the portfolio assignment
improved their ability to effectively research
majors and careers. Likewise, 91.55% (n=70) felt
more confident about communicating with and
building relationships with faculty. Student
comments also reflect positive benefits: “The
major research project helped me see a path I
can take towards graduation. It helped me get
acclimated to the advising process."