2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Students completing applied technical associate degrees at two-year colleges often encounter significant barriers when attempting to transfer into traditional Bachelor of Science (BS) engineering programs. These challenges include limited credit transfer, curricular misalignment, and the need to repeat coursework—particularly due to the absence of calculus and other foundational elements in technical curricula. Conventional course-by-course credit evaluations exacerbate these issues, leading to student discouragement and inefficiencies in the transfer process.

This paper presents a case study of the Transfer Summit, a collaborative initiative designed to reimagine transfer pathways from a holistic, program-level perspective. The Summit convened stakeholders from technical and four-year institutions—including faculty, advisors, and curriculum leaders—for a structured, multi-phase process aimed at improving alignment between applied associate degrees and a BS in Mechanical Engineering.

The Summit unfolded in four phases: (1) an in-person workshop focused on trust-building and shared vision; (2) AI-enhanced curriculum mapping to identify learning outcome overlaps and streamline review; (3) a rebuttal and resolution meeting to clarify competencies and pedagogical intent; and (4) drafting and finalization of articulation agreements. This whole-program approach fostered institutional trust, increased transparency, and expanded the number of technical credits transferable into the BS program.

Key outcomes included improved academic alignment, strengthened institutional partnerships, and enhanced recruitment opportunities for non-traditional students. The process also revealed challenges such as curriculum interpretation mismatches, timeline drift, and limitations of AI tools—offering valuable lessons for future articulation efforts.

The paper concludes by exploring opportunities to scale the model to other STEM disciplines, track student success, and influence policy reform. The Transfer Summit demonstrates that a relationship-driven, program-level articulation model—supported by technology and grounded in mutual respect—can transform the transfer experience for students and institutions alike. It offers a replicable framework for bridging the gap between technical education and traditional engineering pathways, contributing to a more inclusive and responsive engineering education ecosystem.