TSS is committed to making the transfer experience clear, welcoming, and student-centered. We recognize that transfer students arrive with diverse academic backgrounds and life experiences, and we work to ensure each student feels informed, supported, and connected.
From The Assistant Director:
At URI, we believe transfer is part of life — not just an admissions category. My name is John Rooney, and I serve as the Assistant Director for Transfer Student Success. I work with students at all stages of their journey, including those transferring from another institution, continuing students bringing in outside credits, adult learners, military-affiliated students, first-generation and international students, and those returning after time away. No matter your background or how you arrived here, you belong — and your experiences matter.
In my role, I work closely with academic departments, advising teams, and the Office of Admission to ensure your credits are evaluated fairly and applied correctly toward your degree. Whether you’re reviewing the Transfer credit evaluation, re-evaluation process, or following the Incoming Transfer Student Checklist, we’ll help you plan, register, and settle in with confidence. I also encourage students to start with the URI Gateway Page, your one-stop hub for most academic and student resources.
Your success at URI is a shared responsibility. You bring your goals, effort, and questions, and we’ll support you with guidance, advocacy, and clear information along the way. It’s my expectation you will take a shared responsibility for your success. You’ll always be encouraged to take ownership of your learning – but remember, Transfer Student Success is here to help you navigate challenges and connect to the right resources when you need them.
Advising & Registration – Right now my top priorities are helping you meet with your advisor, become fully registered, and complete other URI requirements for a successful start at URI. The best way to do that is to connect with your academic advisor as soon as possible. Please follow the steps listed here to find your advisor and book an appointment through Starfish.
If you need assistance scheduling your advising appointment use this Starfish guide or simply call 401-874-2993 and a member of the advising team will be happy to help with scheduling. Advising lays the foundation for everything that follows — your course plan, housing eligibility, financial aid, use of resources like Disability Access Inclusion (DAI), parking passes, and confidence moving into the semester. Once you’ve met with your advisor and registered, you’ll be in great shape to complete the checklist.
I look forward to meeting you at our optional Winter Orientation, where you must register to come and finalize your schedule. Orientation is a great opportunity to ask questions, make connections, and start building your at home at URI. Beyond academics, I hope you’ll find ways to get involved and build community. Involvement looks different for everyone, but transfer students consistently tell us that getting connected makes a difference. For students enrolled in Transfer URI 101, we intentionally build this connection into your academic planning.
I also advise two organizations created specifically for transfer students. The Transfer Student Association (TSA) is a Student Senate-recognized organization that connects transfer students socially and academically through programs, events, and leadership opportunities. Tau Sigma, the national transfer student honor society, recognizing transfer students who earn a 3.5 GPA or higher in their first 12 earned credits at URI. I hope you become involved with both organizations.
Get excited for your Rhode ahead. I look forward to meeting you soon.
Contact & Scheduling Information:
John Rooney, Assistant Director, Transfer Student Success
Retention and Academic Success Center, Fannon Institute for Student Success
018A Roosevelt Hall, 90 Lower College Rd., Kingston, RI 02881
rooney@uri.edu . 401.874.2473 . uri.edu/transfer
When applicable, please always include your 9-digit URI ID.
Transfer Student Organizations
Getting involved is one of the best ways to feel connected and thrive at URI! The Transfer Student Association (TSA) and the Tau Sigma National Honor Society are two great communities designed especially for transfer students. Both organizations are sponsored by the Fannon Institute for Student Success, each has their own leadership teams, advisor (John Rooney), varying priorities, and membership goals. Rhody has much more to explore too!
view all opportunities, events, clubs, and other forms of involvement!
