Aug. 4, 2025

Ferris State saluted by a national honor society for supporting transfer students, preparing them for success

Ferris State University is one of the top four-year colleges in the nation in terms of creating dynamic pathways to support transfer students and prepare them for success, according to the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society named 251 colleges and universities to its 2025 Transfer Honor Roll, with Ferris State being among just five Michigan public universities.

Last fall, 720 students transferred to Ferris State from other colleges and universities. More than 100 came from Kent County, with Elementary Education, Criminal Justice, and Business Administration being the most popular majors.

“Ferris State is the perfect place for transfer students ready to take the next big step in their education,” said Jeanine Ward-Roof, vice president for Student Affairs. “With hands-on, career-driven programs, small class sizes, and Student Success Hubs across Michigan, Ferris empowers students to finish strong—no matter where they began their journey.”

Links to Ferris State transfer guides, transfer scholarships, and other resources are here.

Phi Theta Kappa is the first honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders.

The honor society is made up of more than 4.4 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 220,000 active members in the nation’s colleges.

The Transfer Honor Roll recognizes the importance of creating strong transfer pathways that lead to excellence and success among community college transfer students.

Honor roll placement is determined by 40 key metrics related to the support and success of transfer students, including college cost and financial aid, campus life for transfer, admission practices, and bachelor’s degree completion.

The Transfer Honor Roll was based on analysis from the National Student Clearinghouse, and on data submitted through the four-year institution’s profile on PTK Connect, Phi Theta Kappa’s online tool designed to help students find their best-fit colleges and career pathways.

Colleges completing the PTK Connect profile are given a transfer friendliness rating. The Transfer Honor Roll is chosen from among the top 25 percent highest-rated colleges.

“I’m proud of the transfer outcomes we’re seeing at these Honor Roll colleges,” said Lynn Tincher-Ladner, president and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “These colleges are doing more than just opening doors—they’re walking students through them. Their commitment to creating clear, supportive pathways demonstrates what’s possible when student success is truly the priority.”

Ferris State is joined on the honor roll by Central Michigan, Northern Michigan, Oakland, and Wayne State universities.