Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website

St. John’s University has been named to the 2025 Transfer Honor Roll by Phi Theta Kappa, marking the second consecutive year the university has received this recognition. The honor roll highlights colleges and universities that support transfer students from community colleges.

St. John’s is one of only 19 institutions in New York State and 251 nationwide to receive this distinction. Fewer than a quarter of all schools that applied were recognized. Phi Theta Kappa cited St. John’s for its efforts in recruiting transfer students, accepting their credits, welcoming them to campus, keeping attendance costs manageable, and providing both need- and merit-based financial aid.

“The Transfer Honor Roll program identifies colleges and universities that understand the unique needs of community college transfer students,” said Lynn Tincher-Ladner, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Phi Theta Kappa. “We applaud the dynamic pathways colleges such as St. John’s have created to foster student success at the four-year level.”

Phi Theta Kappa was established in 1918 to promote academic growth among community college students. Its Transfer Honor Roll recognizes four-year institutions that offer strong pathways for these students to complete bachelor’s degrees.

According to Melissa Mirabella ’07GEd, Associate Director of Transfer Student Services at St. John’s Office of Undergraduate Admission, more than 900 undergraduate transfer students enrolled at St. John’s during the 2024–25 academic year, with many coming from community colleges in the New York metropolitan area.

The university provides several forms of financial assistance for transfer students. These include a Transfer Distinction Award worth $23,000 annually, University Transfer Merit Scholarships up to $26,000, service scholarships for children of police officers, firefighters or military members (active, retired or deceased), and $4,000 scholarships specifically for Phi Theta Kappa members.

Additionally, partial- and full-tuition scholarships are available through the Stay on Long Island Initiative (SoLII) for eligible students from Nassau Community College and Suffolk County Community College.

Five admission counselors at St. John’s work exclusively with transfer applicants—assisting with recruitment efforts, application review processes, evaluation of transfer credits and class registration—to help ensure an efficient transition.

St. John’s also participates in PTK Connect—a direct admission pathway for Phi Theta Kappa members—which enables prospective transfers to research four-year institutions’ policies and submit documents online for timely decisions.

“It is a way of streamlining for them what can be a very unsettling experience,” Ms. Mirabella said.

Ms. Mirabella added that transfer students contribute positively to campus life: “Transfer students tend to be go-getters who want to initiate things,” she said. “They have researched our programs and life at St. John’s and are very active when they come here.”

Kevin Messam transferred from Monroe Community College in Rochester after earning his associate degree there; he will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management from The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies in May 2026.

He described his experience: “From the start, St. John’s made the transition smooth, both academically and personally,” Kevin said. “Admission counselors and faculty members helped me maximize my transfer credits, ensuring the work I put in at Monroe was recognized and built upon. The support has been invaluable, as every credit I have earned holds deep personal meaning.”