Aligned with the shared commitment of The Arthur Vining Davis and Teagle Foundations to build statewide transfer frameworks to support access to the liberal arts, Eckerd College will develop and implement a shared vision for transfer pathways to the liberal arts, in partnership with fellow members of ICUF (Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida). The policy environment in Florida provides opportunities for the state’s independent higher education institutions to build on established transfer policies and create a plan for joint action, in collaboration with representatives of the Florida College System (FCS). The planning grant will enable participating institutions to develop an implementation proposal focused on realizing the following goals:
· Raise the profile of Florida’s independent colleges and universities as a viable and visible destination for community college transfer students.
· Increase awareness of the need to populate liberal arts degree programs at Florida’s independent colleges and universities with the “New America”: the first generation college, low-income and students of color who will be empowered to lead lives of engaged citizenship through the liberal arts.