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.
IN THE NEWS- Student Veteran, 4.0 Scholar Earns National Tau Sigma Scholarship at URI
URI Transfer Honor Society Leader Recognized for Academic Excellence, Leadership, and Service
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. I expect you to take 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 call 401-874-2993; a member of the advising team will be happy to help. 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 as you move into the semester. Once you’ve met with your advisor and registered, you’ll be well-prepared to complete the transfer student checklist.
I look forward to meeting you at our optional Orientation, where you must register to come and finalize your course schedule. Orientation is a great opportunity to ask questions, make connections, and start building your URI network. Academic Advising is a component of Transfer Orientation, but students should proactively meet with an advisor to register. Registration is from April 22 through the start of school.
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.
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.
Tau Sigma Transfer Honors Society & URInvolved
Getting involved is one of the best ways to feel connected and thrive at URI!
Tau Sigma, the National Honor Society for Transfer Students, is a community for transfer students.
view all opportunities, events, clubs, and other forms of involvement!