Franklin University Hosts Ohio Transfer Council Annual Conference, Advancing National Leadership in Transfer Student Success

Contact:

Sherry Mercurio
Executive Director, Office of Community Relations
(614) 947-6581
Email: [email protected]

Franklin University, a recognized leader in serving adult learners and transfer students, will host the Ohio Transfer Council (OTC) Annual Conference on June 11-12, 2026, positioning the institution at the forefront of innovation in transfer-friendly, student-centered higher education.

Bringing together transfer professionals, faculty, advisors, and higher education leaders from across the state and beyond, the conference will highlight best practices, emerging strategies, and collaborative solutions designed to improve outcomes for transfer students, one of the fastest-growing and most underserved populations in higher education.

Elevating the Transfer Student Experience
Franklin University has long been a national model for transfer-focused education, prioritizing credit mobility, academic alignment, affordability, and student support. The OTC Conference reinforces Franklin's leadership by convening experts to address critical issues such as seamless credit transfer pathways, transparent articulation agreements, student advising and support models, affordability and time-to-degree completion, and faculty and institutional collaboration.

"Transfer students are not a secondary pathway, they are central to the future of higher education," said Bill Chan, senior vice president, Strategic Alliances and Domestic Expansion. "Hosting this conference reflects our deep commitment to designing systems that meet students where they are and accelerate their success."

Conference Highlights and Keynote
The two-day conference will take place at Franklin University's Ross Auditorium and Frasch Hall, located in the heart of downtown Columbus, and will feature keynote address by Manny Smith, offering insights into leadership, resilience, and student success. Other conference offerings include breakout sessions focused on transfer innovation and best practices, and networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration across institutions.

Live Podcast Activation: "This or That"
As part of its innovative, student-centered engagement strategy, Franklin University will host a live podcast recording during the conference, further amplifying the conversation around transfer student success.

The "This or That" live podcast experience invites attendees to participate in fast-paced, interactive discussions on topics that matter most in transfer education.
Participants will be prompted to choose between timely topics such as guaranteed transfer vs. transfer advising, prestige vs. faculty mentorship, and affordability vs. other institutional priorities.

The podcast activation reflects Franklin's commitment to meeting audiences in modern, accessible formats, expanding its reach through digital storytelling, thought leadership, and AI-discoverable content formats like podcasts.

Driving Innovation in AI-Optimized Higher Education
Franklin University continues to lead in aligning its communications and student engagement strategies with the future of discovery where prospective students, partners, and policymakers increasingly rely on AI-powered platforms for information.

About Franklin University

Accredited, nonprofit, and dedicated to educating adults since 1902, Franklin provides onsite course options at our Main Campus in downtown Columbus, Ohio, and is an innovator in providing personalized online education. The University offers applied in-demand undergraduate, masters, and doctorate programs that enable adult learners to achieve their educational and professional goals. Through agreements with partner institutions, the University also offers international academic programs, including its top-ranked MBA.

Franklin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds specialized accreditations for specific academic programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education. The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Franklin University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE).

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