Onboarding Transfer Learners
at
Presented by:
Key Takeaways
Terri Hayes and Brenda Sutton
Key Takeaways
The onboarding/orientation of transfer learners is a part of the enrollment
management process.
 Enrollment management is about helping learners make decisions
 It provides structured support that brings the learner from admitted to enrolled
An onboarding/orientation for transfer learners helps to maintain momentum after
the learner is admitted, and leads to greater likelihood that the learner will enroll.
 It allows the institution to continue to engage with the learner between the time they are
admitted and the time they actually enroll
 It helps the learner solidify and confirm their decision about the institution
 It provides learners with an experience that creates the connection for them
Onboarding/orientation is the first step towards learner retention.
 There is no mystery about how to do business with the institution – transparency is established
 The learner experiences the ‘brand’ – appreciates your living up to who you said you were and
what you said you would do
 Helps the learner understand and identify resources available to help them succeed
This document was prepared for use at the:
Goals of Onboarding/Orientation
 Available for learners to complete at their convenience, 24/7/365
 Standardized information that is applicable to all learners
 Required of all new learners
 Provides information that helps a learner understand how to do business with the institution
 Confirms that a learner completes the online orientation and attends to the information
presented
 Provides for learner evaluation of orientation as part of a continuous improvement process
 Embedded into the LMS
 Provides immediate direction as to learner’s next steps
 Appeals to a cross-section of learners
 Allows the learner to return to it at any time
Onboarding/Orientation Topics or Modules
 Introduction/Welcome
 Academic Advising
 How to Enroll
 Paying for College
 Student Resources
•Library•Disability Resources•Student Technology Center•Military and Veteran Services•Tutoring•Student
Accounts•Career Services
 Other Academic Tools
•Order and view transcripts•Change residency•Withdraw•Apply for graduation•Access grades
 Keys to Success
•Study skills•Time management•Test-taking skills•Note-taking
Lessons Learned/Tips
 Be certain learners are aware of the system requirements for accessing and viewing the
orientation (i.e. high-speed connection, speakers)
 Provide clear direction regarding how to work through the orientation (i.e. complete each
module, followed by the quiz; submit the quiz and then return to the home page to begin the
next module)
 Quiz questions and responses should be more ‘true’ and provide correct answers, rather than
trying to ‘trip’ the learner up (e.g. which of the following are vs. which of the following are not)
 Questions and answers should reiterate the most important points covered in the orientation
that the learner should remember
 Avoid the use of specific dates and names in order to reduce the need for updates
 Be certain the orientation meets ADA accessibility guidelines
 Partner with the marketing department to incorporate institution ‘brand promise’ into the
orientation
 Don’t try to incorporate every detail into the orientation; provide links that allow the learner to
explore more details on their own