MasonScience Transfer Program Director Honored at National Conference
February 2020 — Last week, during the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS) event, Mason Science's own Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon was among several annual award winners announced during the opening session of the NISTS 2020 Annual Conference held at the Intercontinental Buckhead hotel in Atlanta.
Hilker-Balkissoon, Director of Educational and Career Pathways at George Mason University, was recognized as one of four Bonita C. Jacobs Transfer Champion—Catalyst winners. This award recognizes mid-career professionals who are game-changers in the transfer field and have worked over time to make a significant impact at the institutional, regional, and/or state level.
Hilker-Balkissoon brings nearly 20 years of experience to Mason's College of Science in the design and implementation of transfer-focused initiatives that bridge post-secondary equity and completion with guided and career pathways. She was the founding director and operational designer of Northern Virginia’s Pathway to the Baccalaureate initiative, a pioneering and award-winning K-16 holistic transfer success model.
"Kerin collaborates with Virginia community colleges to design and implement STEM programs that blend curricular, navigational, and career pathways, providing students with the information and resources they need to be successful at Mason from their first campus visit through their first year on campus," shared Padhu Seshaiyer, College of Science Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. "Since more than a third of our students are transfers so her work makes a big impact on our student success rates and are pleased our programs are nationally recognized as a best practice," Seshaiyer added.
Each year, NISTS is proud to recognize exemplary transfer advocates who are positively influencing policies, practices, programs, and processes to benefit transfer students. Transfer advocates span a wide range of roles, responsibilities, and functional units, and their important and inspiring work offers a compelling model for others striving to affect change on behalf of transfer students.
For more information on the NISTS Conference, read the full story.
About NISTS
Through education, research, and advocacy, the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS) brings together higher education practitioners, researchers, faculty, policy-makers, and administrators to explore the pressing issues and obstacles related to transfer student success. We equip professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to actively advocate for transfer students, challenge the status quo, and reach beyond specific roles to develop holistic, inclusive, and seamless student experiences.
