LSA Program for Transfer Students Creating Personal and Professional Impact

There has been much discussion around the state of the humanities in higher education. One program in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts is a testament that the humanities are more valuable now than ever.  

Transfer Bridges to the Humanities (TB2H) has been committed to supporting community college students across the state transfer successfully to the University of Michigan, and explore their interests and career paths in the humanities. The program has created a more attainable and accessible path for transfer students to the state’s flagship university.

“Historically, prospective transfer students have felt that U-M was unattainable, and after eight years, that narrative has greatly diminished,” said Nick Turinsky, program manager for TB2H, one of many initiatives under the umbrella of the LSA Student Recruitment unit. “Additionally, the deep relationships with the community college partners have truly created a bridge built on solid ground that will be utilized for years to come.” 

TB2H offers various services, including pre-transfer academic advising, peer mentorship with LSA Transfer Ambassadors, research project opportunities, internships, and field-based summer courses at the University of Michigan Biological Station.

Transfer students are one of the fastest growing student populations at the university. Over the last year, undergraduate transfer student enrollment increased by 12 percent. Since the program’s launch in 2018, more than 1,000 community college students have participated in the resources and programs offered through TB2H. 

For students like Ethan Tappan, the program serves as a vessel of opportunities and access to explore the humanities that otherwise may not have been available. Tappan, an LSA junior majoring in English literature, transferred to U-M from Grand Rapids Community College and found out about the program through an academic advisor.

“I knew I wanted to transfer to a four-year university, but I was very unsure of what that process would look like. Without TB2H, I don’t think I would have ever applied to the University of Michigan,” said Tappan. “I was given chances to connect with all sorts of different opportunities. I was able to plan my courses [with the support of an LSA transfer recruiting coordinator] in order to be ready to transfer by the time I completed my associate’s degree.” 

With another semester in full swing, TB2H has entered phase three of a two-year program expansion. Thanks to the generosity of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and Forsyth Funds, the program has received $1 million and $1.4 million, respectively, in funding to continue its expansion over two years to other community colleges in Michigan as well as support program offerings. The Forsyth Funds, named after the late LSA Professor Emerita and alumna Ilene Forsyth, has given $3 million total to support TB2H. The Mellon Foundation, one of the country’s largest grant organizations in the arts and humanities, was an inaugural partner of LSA to launch Transfer Bridges. It’s this type of support that has helped students like Tappan on their academic and personal journey at Michigan.

TB2H, which began with Henry Ford Community College, has now expanded to two additional community colleges across the state: Grand Rapids Community College and Schoolcraft College, and the program is looking to increase its network of schools.

“TB2H is unique because it is open to all students at Grand Rapids Community College, Henry Ford College, and Schoolcraft College, regardless of major. Students may participate in any of the resources or summer programs regardless of where they want to transfer,” said Turinsky. “The hope is that we are breaking down barriers and stereotypes at the University of Michigan and students will want to apply, but we will help all students wherever they want to go. Ultimately, we want students to take these humanistic experiences with them and apply them in all facets of their lives.” 

The program will celebrate its 10-year anniversary in June 2028, and the goal is to continue this important work and valuable partnerships for years to come. TB2H is creating a space for transfer students to thrive in the classroom while building their community and confidence.

“I held an internship through Culture Corps, which connected me with a community of incredible people who gave me a job teaching guitar to middle schoolers, something I never in a million years expected to do. A TB2H-funded fellowship gave me the chance to explore my career interests in education through activism and literary-centered programming,” said Tappan. “TB2H also allowed me to experience the best summer of my life through a week with the Barger Leadership Institute and a month at the University of Michigan Biological Station. TB2H gave me a stacked resume, opportunities to make amazing friends, and scaffolded my transfer experience such that I felt not only prepared for Michigan, but also that I belonged here.” 

Learn more about Transfer Bridges to the Humanities here.

Photography provided by Nick Turinsky, Transfer Bridges to the Humanities