The Credit Transfer Office at 鶹 plays a key role in supporting students through their academic journeys. From processing transfer credits from another institution to awarding Advanced Placement credits, the office ensures students receive the credit they deserve.
The office’s ultimate goal is to help Kent State students save time and money, paving a more efficient path toward graduation. This spring semester, Kent State’s Credit Transfer Office had the opportunity to focus on one important type of external credit – military credits.
Through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Work-Study program, the Credit Transfer Office was able to bring on a student worker to enhance the office’s operations. This new position has allowed the office to improve the overall experience for military students at Kent State.
Liana Sanchez, a junior marketing major, was selected as this semester’s Veterans Affairs student worker.
“We’re thrilled to have a Veterans Affairs student worker in our office this year,” Misty Sommers, assistant university registrar, told Kent State Today. “Our office has always dealt with a variety of credits, but military credits have always needed more specific focus. With Liana on board, we’re able to provide that.”
"When I applied, I was really excited to learn something new and help military students,” Sanchez said. “I thought it would be a great chance to branch out and gain experience.”
Many active-duty military assignments are eligible for academic credit at Kent State. However, many military students are not aware that their experiences can be added to their transcripts, ultimately saving them time and money in their academic journeys.
“I’ve heard some military students say that they never sent their Joint Services Transcript to the Credit Transfer Office because they didn’t think it would qualify for anything,” Sommers said. “With Liana in the office, this is the kind of miscommunication we want to work on.”
A Joint Services Transcript is used to document military experience, including training, courses and other active-duty assignments. Sanchez helps the Credit Transfer Office review these transcripts to help Kent State military students avoid redundant coursework, accelerating them toward graduation.
“I was able to help my friend on my second day of work,” Sanchez said. “She didn’t think her military experience would help her here at Kent State. I talked to the office and got things moving to help her get credit for what she had done in the military.”
“It’s been fantastic to see the difference that Liana has already made here in the office,” Sommers said. “In such a short amount of time, she’s helped us provide better service to our military students here at Kent State.”
The Credit Transfer Office hopes to continue with the Veterans Affairs Work-Study program in the future, offering more Veterans Affairs student worker positions each semester.
“I’ve learned so much already,” Sanchez said. “It’s been such a great experience, and I know I can keep growing here.”
Kent State will continue to prioritize serving those who have served, ensuring that military students’ success is as efficient and rewarding as possible. Kent State is a gold-ranking Military Friendly School and was awarded Ohio’s Collegiate Purple Star designation in 2024 for its support for veteran and military students.
"At Kent State, we take pride in helping our military students transition successfully into higher education,” Sommers said. “The Veterans Affairs Work-Study program is allowing us to do that even more effectively.”