It Takes Two to Tango: A Listener's Question on Partnership and Transfer

After receiving a thoughtful email from a listener, Loida explores a difficult but important question: What happens when one institution wants to partner, and the other doesn't?Building on a recent conversation about how universities can be better partners to community colleges, this solo episode examines the other side of the equation. Drawing on findings from her doctoral research with community college professionals across Texas, Loida discusses the realities of transfer collaboration, the barriers that emerge when institutions operate in silos, and why partnership cannot be sustained by one side alone.The conversation expands beyond traditional transfer to explore learning mobility, institutional alignment, and the growing need to recognize learning acquired through military service, workforce training, dual enrollment, prior learning assessment, and other pathways. Ultimately, this episode challenges institutions to move beyond good intentions and toward shared understanding, meaningful collaboration, and actionable outcomes that better serve students.If transfer is a promise, then partnership—and alignment—are how we keep that promise. Host:Loida González, Ed.D.Director, Recruitment & Enrollment ServicesTexas A&M University–Central Texas FMI on The Assembly: https://www.aacrao.org/events-training/meetings/the-assembly/balancing-access-and-accountabilityEmail us at [email protected]!