For a fourth consecutive year, Augsburg University is one of 251 colleges and universities nationwide that have been named to the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society 2025 Transfer Honor Roll. Based on key metrics related to the support and success of transfer students, the Transfer Honor Roll recognizes excellence in the development and support of dynamic and innovative pathways for community college transfer students. Some of the metrics taken into consideration are cost and financial aid, campus life, admissions practices, and bachelor’s degree completion rates.

“Our transfer students are a huge thread in the fabric of the Augsburg campus. The experience they bring both academically and in life impacts our community in unique ways,” says Tim Lawson, associate director of undergraduate admissions at Augsburg. “Working with them on a daily basis and hearing their stories of where they are coming from and where they want to go not only inspires me, but each and every person they interact with on campus. Transfers are truly special and need to be celebrated for their passion and dedication to their educational journeys.”

Learn more about Augsburg’s transfer admissions.

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“The goal of most students attending community college is a bachelor’s degree, but few do because of financial barriers and the complexities of the transfer process,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “We are proud to recognize the exceptional colleges and universities that go above and beyond to create accessible pathways to bachelor’s degree completion for community college transfer students.”

Learn more about Augsburg’s transfer admissions.

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The Augsburg community is committed to intentional diversity in our life and work. This commitment aligns with our use of holistic application review and our direct admissions approach, launched in fall 2022. Because direct admissions does not consider race as a factor, Augsburg’s current admissions processes are unlikely to be affected by the

Augsburg’s experience with direct admissions may serve as a useful case study on alternative strategies to lower barriers for historically underrepresented and marginalized student populations following this decision.��

Media contact: Rachel Farris, farrisr@augsburg.edu

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Inside Higher Ed recently featured Augsburg in a piece on the growth of direct admissions. While the article cites Minnesota as one of the states with the most movement toward direct admissions this year, Augsburg stands out for its comprehensive move away from traditional admissions practices.��

“Augsburg admissions counselors are shifting their time from reviewing applications to talking to those admitted about the university and what the students hope to accomplish there. Those are the discussions that motivated many of them to become admissions counselors,” according to Robert Gould, vice president for strategic enrollment management.����

“It’s a dream come true,” Gould said.

The piece was the latest in a series on direct admissions in higher education. Read the full article in Inside Higher Ed:

Learn more about Augsburg Applies to You,��Augsburg’s new belonging-centered enrollment approach.

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Robert Gould, vice president for strategic enrollment management, recently spoke to Inside Higher Ed about Augsburg’s participation in a Minnesota direct admission pilot program. Through the program, students in 50 high schools will be automatically admitted to participating colleges and universities based on GPA.��

This move is part of a broader shift at Augsburg from a “gatekeeper” model of admissions to an enrollment experience focused on student belonging. Going forward, Gould said, admissions counselors will have more time to spend on outreach, financial aid, and supporting students rather than evaluating them.��

“Part of the mission here is supporting democracy,” he said. “This is about sharing power.”

The piece was the latest in a series on direct admissions in higher education. Read the full article in Inside Higher Ed:

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Recognizing the urgency many McNally Smith students, including international students, are facing, Augsburg will enroll transfer students as quickly as this spring semester, which begins January 8.

“We will do our very best to assist students through this process as quickly as possible,” said Augsburg University Registrar Crystal Comer.

Augsburg and McNally Smith have an existing articulation agreement — a formal agreement that establishes transfer policies for specific courses or programs. Augsburg also is committed to carefully reviewing students’ courses that are not included in the articulation agreement for possible credit transfers.

Augsburg staff will be on site at McNally Smith this week to help student understand their options. McNally Smith students also are encouraged to schedule an appointment with a transfer counselor at Augsburg via the web site:��.

According to Augsburg Interim Vice President of Enrollment Management Nate Gorr, many McNally Smith students have already scheduled appointments. Students also can call or email questions to the Augsburg transfer team at��transfer@augsburg.edu��or 612-330-1001.

“People from across Augsburg — including��faculty, academic advisors, admissions and housing staff, the registrar’s team, and student affairs — immediately began working to see how we could help McNally Smith transfer students when the announcement was made last week,” said Augsburg University President Paul Pribbenow. “Our hope is that our efforts and those of our sister schools will support all of McNally Smith’s remaining students in accomplishing their educational goals.”

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MINNEAPOLIS – Augsburg College today announced the appointment of William Mullen as vice president for Enrollment Management. Mullen will join the community in mid-July.

As the College’s chief enrollment officer, Mullen will lead a team of 30 admissions and student financial services staff in building enrollment and leveraging financial aid strategies for Augsburg’s undergraduate, adult undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. Mullen will report to Augsburg College President Paul C. Pribbenow and will serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet.

“Augsburg is excited to have William join our leadership team and spearhead the work of attracting talented, diverse, and engaged learners who value the distinct educational experience Augsburg offers and who will be successful in their work at Augsburg and beyond,”��said President Pribbenow. “William has proven experience in enrollment management, an innovative and collaborative approach to recruiting and retaining students, a strong financial aid background, and a demonstrated commitment to the community. All of these factors position him well to help us advance our mission and to support the College’s continued success in this increasingly competitive higher education environment.”

“This is a fantastic opportunity to join a great institution,” Mullen said. “The College’s success in recruiting a diverse student body and in integrating professional studies and liberal arts education position it well as a leader in higher education for a new generation of learners.”

“Augsburg’s academic excellence, innovations in experiential education, international and intercultural leadership, and location in the heart of the Twin Cities make it a top destination for prospective students to consider. I look forward to having the opportunity to work with the motivated, diverse and talented potential learners who are attracted to the educational opportunities Augsburg offers,” Mullen said.

Mullen currently is vice president, Enrollment Management, at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, where he has served in admissions and adjunct faculty roles since 2003. He holds a doctor of education in educational policy and development from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and an MBA from Capella University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and education from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisc.

Mullen’s doctoral dissertation, Factors Influencing Campus Internationalization: A Case Study of a Liberal Arts College in the Upper Midwest, demonstrates his deep knowledge of the dynamics that successfully support a globally focused education in a liberal arts setting. Earlier this year, Mullen was awarded a Fulbright International Education Administrators grant, through which he will participate in a two-week program this summer to develop relationships with top universities in Japan.

Augsburg College is set in a vibrant neighborhood at the heart of the Twin Cities, and offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and nine graduate degrees to nearly 4,000 students of diverse backgrounds. Augsburg College educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.��The Augsburg experience is supported by an��engaged community��that is committed to intentional diversity��in its life and work. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence��in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values��of the Lutheran church, and shaped by its urban and global settings.

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By Wendi Wheeler ’06

The occupants of one of Augsburg’s newest construction projects have claimed their cubicles and moved files and personal effects. As of October 31, the Office of Admissions—home to the staff of undergraduate and graduate admissions—is open for business on the lower level of Christensen Center.

Julie Edstrom, vice president of enrollment management, said the admissions staff has been talking for a few years about co-locating undergraduate and graduate operations. The first step in the process came when undergraduate transfer counselors began working together.

Since many Weekend College students are technically transfer students, having completed an associate’s degree or at least a handful of credits at one or more colleges, it made sense to combine the recruitment efforts of both Weekend and Day staff working with transfer students. “Now, when a student comes and says they aren’t sure if the Weekend or Day program is best for them, the counselors can help them find the best option.” Edstrom said.

The second phase of co-location was moving the graduate program counselors from the house on 7th Street and 21st Avenue South into the upper level of Christensen, meaning all admissions staff was in the same building. Edstrom said the new space was better and allowed the staff to make use of efficiencies with paperwork and processing, but the staff still wanted more integration.

And though the first floor admissions suite provided a fun atmosphere for welcoming potential Day students and their families, it was not adequate to fulfill all of the staff member’s needs. “We wanted a more roomy area with comfortable spaces for meeting people and visual separation of the work area from the meeting area,” Edstrom said.

The new space, which was designed by BWBR Architects of St. Paul to coordinate visually with other campus offices, provides visit rooms that can be tailored to the needs of prospective students. The welcome area is large enough for admissions events and allows for presentations. And the visit space is separate from the file processing area as well as individual counselor workspaces.

Not only does the co-location allow for work efficiencies, Edstrom said it also gives parents of prospective Day program students a better understanding of the breadth of programs offered at Augsburg—specifically Weekend College and graduate programs.

Edstrom said the new space will require an adjustment for the campus community, but she hopes that the 22nd Avenue building entrance, which provides access for people with limited mobility, and the visibility to the park will create a welcoming environment for potential students.

“We think this space will have a positive impact on enrollment by creating a great first impression,” Edstrom said. “It makes a statement of quality and shows our institutional pride.”

Watch the Daily A-mail for an announcement about an open house for the new admissions space.

See Augsburg’s photographer Stephen Geffre’s of the admissions construction.

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Anne Gardner, a first grade teacher at Bruce F. Vento Elementary in St. Paul, contacted Carrie Carroll, assistant vice president of admissions asking if Augsburg would be a benefactor to her class and adopt her first graders.

“We agreed to sponsor her classroom and the connection has blossomed,” said Carroll.

Last year, each class at Vento Elementary adopted a college or university to represent his or her classroom. Gardner chose Augsburg in part because her son, Sam Smith, is a student at the College. Students learned about Augsburg, including the fight song. Carroll said the students have Augsburg postcards and pictures in their classroom and they each made their own Auggie pennant to take home for the summer.

The admissions staff hosted Gardner’s class at the end of April. The students were greeted by Auggie Eagle and had photos taken with the mascot. They played games, took a campus tour, sat in on a sample class, met President Pribbenow, and ate lunch on campus.

Carroll said the students had such a good time at Augsburg that they asked the staff to visit their school to return the favor. In early June, several admissions counselors and Auggie Eagle spent the day at Bruce Vento.

The staff was treated with a “Go Auggies” cheer and heard students’ poetry. The staff and Auggie Eagle took a tour of the school, made and flew kites with the students, and ate lunch together. Carroll said several of the students brought their Auggie backpacks to school. “It was very cute to see them all lined up in their coatroom,” she added.

Vento Elementary is a Title I school serving students from diverse backgrounds. Approximately 70 percent of its students are learning English as a second language and 94 percent qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school’s mission is to educate “every student, without exception and without excuse, to standard or above in reading, writing, math and science in preparation for college.”

“This endeavor goes beyond academics,” Gardner says. “It gives hope to our students and families and teaches our students to set goals for their futures.”

Gardner says her hope is that students will become inspired to set college as one of their goals through this program.

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In addition to teaching, the Pfaffs are setting up a fitness center for UIC staff and faculty and are organizing a “fitness challenge” between Augsburg and UIC. She writes, “The AUGGIES are in trouble since the Chinese do not like to lose. I know Carol Enke (Augsburg’s Faculty/Staff fitness coordinator) does not like to lose either so LET THE CHALLENGE BEGIN!”

The Pfaffs have been exploring the city and areas around Zhuhai. Those who know Joyce will not be surprised to learn that she and her husband are staying very active, biking around the city and hiking with a fellow Minnesotan (carrying sticks to fend off the monkeys) outside of Hong Kong.

Yesterday we ventured out to purchase new bicycles. We decided we could not live here for 4 months without wheels, so we made the big splurge. It cost us less than $100 for both of them. We had plenty of help and ended up with 2 very nice, brand new, single speed, fully loaded (basket, bell, lock and kickstand) bikes that have got to weigh 50 pounds each. We went for a 2-hour ride today and both agree that without our bikes we would never be able to see and explore many of the things our new home city of Zhuhai has to offer.

In an Oct. 12 message to her colleagues, Joyce wrote, “We begin our second week of classes today. We (Doug is my teaching assistant) have 2 Fitness classes. When I introduced Doug as my TA and also my husband all of the students laughed, so at least they understood some of what I was saying. I am working on talking slowly (not easy for me), repeating myself and using very simple terms that are easy to understand. I realized early on that I could not use words like “abdominal muscles” and need to say “stomach” instead. The students were listening very intensely but not understanding me.

The first day of classes my class list was printed in Chinese so I had no clue on how to take attendance. Luckily the only person in PE who can speak some English was free and he came in to help me take attendance. Since most of the students have English names, I was able to write those down so things should become easier. My students are actually very nice and extremely polite (as I had originally expected). There are 25 students in each class so that makes is easy.”

ABOUT UIC (from her blog)

UIC (United International College) is a 4-year liberal arts college founded jointly by Bejing Normal University and Hong Kong Baptist University. It is located in Zhuhai, China (just East of Hong Kong and North of Macau). All classes are taught in English. The school begins its fourth year in the fall of 2008 and will have approximately 3,300 students enrolled. This fall 1,200 new first-year students are expected, and they will be graduating their first class of 270 students in the spring of 2009.

At present, the majority of students come from mainland China, but the intention is to recruit more international students to realize a goal of about 50/50 (international/Chinese). The student body is approximately 60% female and 40% male. Although UIC has 13 different majors, 50% of the students are majoring in business.

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