BALTIMORE, Md. — On May 1, 2025, the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) and the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program launched the Maryland Transfer Intensive, a statewide initiative to enhance community college transfer outcomes. This seven-year collaboration involves 25 public and state-aided institutions, including the College of Southern Maryland and St. Mary’s College of Maryland, aiming to increase bachelor’s degree attainment, promote equitable access, and strengthen Maryland’s workforce. Maryland ranks as the second most educated state, and this program seeks to elevate it to the top.
The initiative addresses gaps in Maryland’s transfer system. Currently, 55 percent of community college students enroll in transfer programs, but only 23 percent transfer to a four-year institution within six years. Fewer than half complete a bachelor’s degree within three years of transferring. The Maryland Transfer Intensive focuses on aligning institutional leadership, implementing data-driven Reforms, and fostering partnerships to improve these metrics. Participating colleges will engage in a yearlong process to adopt evidence-based practices tailored to their campuses.
“Maryland is proud to be one of the nation’s leading states when it comes to higher education attainment, and this transfer initiative solidifies our commitment to becoming number one,” said Dr. Sanjay Rai, Secretary of the Maryland Higher Education Commission. “By bringing together 25 institutions with a shared focus on transfer student success, we are strengthening our workforce, meeting employer talent needs, and empowering thousands of Marylanders to reach their full potential.”
The program includes three key components: a Presidential Steering Committee on Transfer Student Success to engage college leaders, recommendations for improved data reporting and transfer policies, and support for institutions to develop customized reforms. Over the next four years, the initiative will track metrics like transfer enrollment and bachelor’s degree completion to assess its impact and create a model for other states. The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation supports the effort, highlighting Maryland’s commitment to educational excellence.
“The Maryland Transfer Intensive reflects a remarkable commitment from presidents, faculty, staff, and policymakers to pursue a really important goal: building clear, high-quality pathways and advising structures that dramatically increase bachelor’s degree attainment for community college students,” said Josh Wyner, Executive Director of the College Excellence Program at the Aspen Institute. “I fully expect that, through this work, Maryland will show a path for other states aiming to achieve similar goals.”
The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) and St. Mary’s College of Maryland are key participants in Southern Maryland. CSM, with campuses in Hughesville, La Plata, Leonardtown, and Prince Frederick, serves Charles, St. Mary’s, and Calvert counties. It offers over 120 programs and over 300 transfer agreements with four-year institutions, including St. Mary’s College. CSM’s involvement ensures that its students, 88 percent of whom stay in Maryland after graduation, benefit from streamlined transfer pathways.
St. Mary’s College, a public honors college in St. Mary’s City, already has a robust transfer agreement with CSM. Students completing an associate degree at CSM with a minimum 2.75 GPA 3.2 GPA can transfer seamlessly, with guaranteed housing and saving up to $17,372 $16,558, by spending the first two years at CSM as opposed to four years at SMC of Maryland. The Maryland Transfer Intensive will strengthen this partnership by aligning advising and data systems, ensuring more CSM students successfully earn bachelor’s degrees at St. Mary’s.
“Community college students in Maryland have tremendous potential. By uniting under one statewide strategy, we will ensure that students from diverse backgrounds and experiences have the support they need to thrive at the four-year level and earn the degrees that allow them to stay and work in good jobs right here in Maryland,” said Falecia D. Williams, President of Prince George’s Community College and Co-Chair of the Presidential Steering Committee.
“At Towson University, we see firsthand the transformative power of community college transfer,” said Mark Ginsberg, President of Towson University and Co-Chair of the Presidential Steering Committee. “We’re excited to join this innovative effort to create a smoother, more supportive transfer experience for students across Maryland.”
The initiative builds on Maryland’s economic strengths, as community college graduates contribute significantly to the state’s workforce. By improving transfer success, the program aims to meet employer demands and enhance social mobility. For more details on participating colleges, visit the Aspen Institute’s state page.
Maryland’s community colleges serve diverse populations, with CSM enrolling 1,797 7,952( corrected for current figures) undergraduates and offering a 100 percent acceptance rate. St. Mary’s, with 1,646 students, ranks among the top 100 national liberal arts colleges. Both institutions have existing articulation agreements, but the Maryland Transfer Intensive will standardize and enhance these processes statewide, ensuring equitable access to higher education.
UPDATED 5/5/2025: This article was updated to reflect current numbers for transfer requirements and savings.
