Transferring troubles arriving for Blue Dragons about to graduate

By Carly Thompson / Staff writer

Hutchinson Community College can be a great place for students to get introduced to college life before moving on to a four-year university.

DJ Chastain is the Coordinator Of Advising and Career Development here at HutchCC and says the small class sizes and low teacher-to-student ratio – listed at 18 to 1 on the college’s website www.hutchcc.edu – “allows students to get a quality education before transferring to the four-year institution.”

On average, between 200 and 300 students transfer to four-year universities after attending HutchCC. This is partially encouraged by transfer fairs held once a semester. Students are able to meet transfer advisors from universities in and around Kansas. However, if students are unable to attend the transfer fairs, HutchCC invites four-year schools to come to campus. They are often set up in Lockman Hall or the Parker Student Union. Advisors may also recommend visits to universities of interest. 

“I encourage students to take campus visits to the four-year schools to make sure they feel that it is a good fit for them personally,” Chastain said.

Abby Yutzy is a HutchCC freshman transferring to Kansas State University in the fall semester. She was able to complete the required general education classes here and will be able to obtain her bachelor’s degree in only two years at K-State. 

“HutchCC has helped me know which classes to take for my future major and connected me with scholarship opportunities,” Yutzy said.

She was able to contact an advisor at K-State to further her preparedness and make the process easier. 

Maggie Strobel is a HutchCC sophomore who is also transferring to K-State. She said she has been able to enjoy her first two years of college at a lower cost while enrolled in a variety of classes. 

“HutchCC has prepared me to transfer because it has been affordable enough to allow me to save money for next year,” Strobel said. 

Strobel has attended several of the transfer fairs on campus and was able to begin her preparations early to be ahead of the game. 

“My advisor, Bernadett Dillon, has been very helpful with making sure I’ve done everything,” Strobel said. 

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