NISTS Transfer Student Ambassadors Highlight the Need for Progress beyond Complimentary Higher Education
In the world of higher education, the stories of transfer students like Paolo, Noelle, Herman, and Katie offer a compelling insight into the challenges they face and the strategies that could help improve their experiences.
Paolo Canteras, a student at UC Irvine, left behind a nearly-complete business finance degree in the Philippines to start college over completely in the United States. Despite the financial burdens he faced during his transfer, including additional expenses such as paying for an orientation program over the summer, Paolo has made a significant impact at UCI. He created a Student Transfer Engagement Access and Mentorship (STEAM) course to help other transfer students navigate their new academic environment.
Jan Paolo is working on his BA in Psychology and Sociology at UC Irvine. His fellow transfer student, Noelle Dana, is currently pursuing her BA in Classics and Philosophy, Science, & Mathematics at The University of Notre Dame. Noelle experienced a rocky transition, feeling excluded from the university's focus on integrating first-year students. Her one wish for transfer programs in the United States is a greater emphasis on fully integrating students as part of the campus community.
Herman Chavez, a UCLA class of 2022 student, transferred from Colorado State University. He credits UCLA's supportive network of faculty and staff for his success. Herman is currently researching "Atiliano Auza León, Popular Folkloric Music, and the Bolivian State" at UCLA.
Katie Ibsen, a senior pursuing her BA in anthropology at UC-Berkeley, shares her transfer journey through her YouTube vlog, The Vintage Academic. Katie also helps other transfer students navigate the process through her work at Accepted Consulting. She recommends reviewing old community college coursework for transfer students to ensure a smoother transition.
Their stories reflect the research found in the book, Beyond Free College: Making Higher Education Work for 21st Century Students. The authors, Stephen J. Handel and Dr. Eileen Strempel, discuss the importance of articulating the return on investment (ROI) of higher education beyond just financial earnings, suggesting a broader focus on student outcomes and impacts.
To prioritize student completion and re-investment, universities can implement holistic support systems, career-ready education, flexible learning pathways, institution-wide engagement, and data-driven decision making. These strategies aim to foster a supportive educational environment that prioritizes student success and completion, while also recognizing the broader benefits of higher education beyond mere access.
Moreover, concerns about food insecurity and a need for more mental health support on campus have been voiced by students like Paolo, underscoring the importance of addressing these issues to ensure a successful and supportive learning environment for all students.
[1] Handel, S. J., & Strempel, E. (2019). Beyond Free College: Making Higher Education Work for 21st Century Students. Johns Hopkins University Press.
In the pursuit of personal growth and self-development, online education platforms like Paolo's STEAM course or Katie's YouTube vlog can be beneficial for transfer students, offering guidance and a smoother transition. To ensure educational environments are supportive, it's crucial for universities to prioritize student success, employing strategies like career-ready education, flexible learning pathways, and data-driven decision making, as articulated by authors Stephen J. Handel and Dr. Eileen Strempel in 'Beyond Free College'.
