The University’s transfer student experience was celebrated on campus with giveaways and informational events for National Transfer Student Week from Oct. 17-Oct. 19.
Anthony Urmey, Director of Transfer Services, was happy with the success of National Transfer Student Week.
“This awareness campaign aims to recognize the contributions transfers bring to schools across the nation,” said Urmey.
This week of celebration is an annual event that also promotes the success of transfer students through a myriad of academic information opportunities.
Along with the many resources available in the Center for Student Success located in the lower level of the student center, the nearly 1,000 transfer students here at Monmouth were introduced to academic information and advisement opportunities.
On Thursday Oct. 18, Wilson Hall hosted “Ensuring the Success of Your Transfer Students,” a panel discussion that shared the best practices on academic advisement for transfer students.
The panel featured Department Advising Coordinator of Biology Kathryn Lionetti, Ph.D., Department Advising Coordinator of Health & Physical Education Julie Schaaff, Department Advising Coordinator of Communications Lorna Schmidt, and Coordinator of Transfer and Undeclared Services Jennifer Shendock.
Not only did National Transfer Student Week aim to recognize the contributions of transfer students, but also the educators who help and support them. Along with serving as a panelist, Lionetti received the first annual Jean Judge Transfer Champion award.
The celebration for transfer student experience didn’t stop there. An interest table for Tau Sigma, the honor society that recognizes the academic excellence of transfer students, was held on Thursday, Oct. 18.
“We’re here to recognize the excellence of honor students who achieve good grades,” said Tyler Sciara, Vice President of Tau Sigma and senior criminal justice student. “Transfer students tend to be more active on campus than non-transfer students. I find that transfer students really have experience of different schools and different communities. There’s a lot of potential within transfer students.”
Transfer students are also encouraged to join Aimee Fasano, a Talent Acquisition Manager at Enterprise, for a talk on life after graduation held in Pozycki Hall room 206 on Wednesday, Nov. 7 at 1:30 p.m.
The event, sponsored by Tau Sigma, is an informative discussion about interview techniques and resume writing. “This is important for transfer students because they tend to come in as juniors and don’t have much time before they graduate,” Sciara remarked. “They really do need to think about that.”
Shannon Sitzler, a sophomore communication student said, “As a transfer student, I love change. You grow the most through a change in atmosphere, people, and culture. Everywhere you go is always different, which is why it’s pretty cool to be a transfer student.”
The best part about being a transfer student is the ability to take past experience from past schools and share them with other transfer students as a part of a larger community.
Transfer students coming together as a community creates opportunities for growth and success.
The University will continue to recognize the achievements of transfer students as they become involved in everything MU has to offer. Monmouth is a transfer-friendly environment that celebrates every transfer students’ past accomplishments and encourages their future success.
Chanell Singletary-Eskridge, a psychology student, said, “As a transfer student, I really appreciate that Monmouth provides resources for students coming from different colleges or universities, especially community college.
Transferring requires a big adjustment for most students, and I have learned that the best thing to do is play an active role in one’s experiences and education.”
She continued, “I believe the transfer orientation was a major key to my transition because I was able to receive resources specific to my major, as well as, have lunch with a faculty member within the department.
I chose Monmouth primarily because of its tight-knit community, emphasis on preparing students for graduate school, the Honors School and the simple fact that it resides within Monmouth County.”
The Center for Student Success will be holding a session entitled, “You and Your Major…A Good Fit?” on Thursday Oct. 25 to discuss choosing a major and similar topics in the Rebecca Stafford student Center starting at 1 p.m.
Be sure to follow Transfer Services on Instagram and Twitter (@mutransferhawks) for news and upcoming events.
