State & System Engagement

Aspen partners with state and system leaders to provide training for institutional leaders on how to advance student success and develop the institutional capacities needed to enact scaled and sustained reforms. We deliver virtual and in-person programs for presidents, their trustees, leadership teams, and mid-level leaders using research from the Aspen Prize process, Aspen’s playbooks and publications, and other research. Curricular modules span six student success strategies (access, completion, transfer, workforce, teaching and learning, and equitable outcomes) and six capacities (senior teams, boards, strategic finance, human capital, data use, and implementation systems). Programming is customized with state and system partners to align with their goals, contexts, and audiences. Our state and system engagements are designed to lead to practical reform strategies and plans, including presentations from Aspen Senior Fellows and other field experts and group activities centered around data analysis, qualitative assessment results, and guided questions and discussion.

The Maryland Transfer Intensive (Maryland Intensive) is a multi-year initiative aimed at substantially improving transfer and bachelor’s attainment outcomes for community college students across Maryland. The ultimate goal of the program is to support greater economic mobility and security for Maryland residents and develop a diverse talent pool to strengthen the state’s workforce and communities. The Maryland Intensive is a collaboration with the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) and is supported by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation.

Our Approach and Mission

The Maryland Statewide Transfer Intensive program is committed to driving meaningful improvements by focusing on:

• Data and Analytics: Enhancing data collection and utilization to better inform transfer pathways.
• Leadership Engagement: Activating state and institutional leaders to prioritize transfer student success.
• Institutional and Partnership Practices: Strengthening and scaling best practices that foster strong and equitable transfer student outcomes and experiences.

Key Dates

• Maryland Transfer Intensive Kick Off: February 4, 2025
• Designing Transformational Transfer Models [In-Person]: June 25, 2025

Download a PDF of the full program schedule.

Join the Statewide Effort

Maryland higher education institutions are encouraged to participate in this transformative project and become part of a statewide effort to enhance transfer success, foster cross-institutional collaboration, and create equitable opportunities for all students.

How do I sign-up to participate?

Before beginning the application, please review the required information and prepare accordingly. Specifically, ensure that you:

• Identify Your Team Members: Review the program roles and responsibilities to designate team members in advance. The registration form will require the names, titles, and contact information of each participant. Click here to review program roles and responsibilities.
• Select 5 priority Partnership Institutions: Community college applicants must select at least one independent four-year institution.
• Complete the Presidential Intent to Participate form (presidents only).

This preparation will help streamline the application process and ensure you can complete it accurately and efficiently.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

Questions?

Contact Program Manager Bernard Huggins with any questions: bernard.huggins@aspeninstitute.org

The Presidential Steering Committee on Transfer Student Success was convened by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) and charged with identifying a statewide vision and agenda for transfer student success in Maryland. The Maryland Transfer Intensive will support institutions and partnership teams of community colleges and four-year institutions in Maryland to develop a Strategic Transfer Excellence Plan aligned to this vision.