Each year during the third week of October, colleges and universities across the country celebrate National Transfer Student Week to recognize transfer students and the professionals who support them on their journeys. To commemorate this national celebration, the Transfer Student Center (TSC) at the University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine) hosted Transfer Student Week. UC Irvine Transfer Student Week invited transfer students to attend a series of events that introduced them to campus resources and helped them connect with other transfer students and support staff.
Speaking on the importance of Transfer Student Week, Adeeva Myers, TSC Program Director, said:
Caption: Adeeva Myers, TSC Program Director, presents at the Transfer Student Week Celebration.
“I believe it is important to celebrate not only the academic excellence of our transfer students but also the spirit of resilience, determination, and the pursuit of knowledge that each of them embodies. Transfer students come from diverse, non-traditional backgrounds, such as being parents, re-entry students, former foster youth, and more. Their transfer journeys to UC Irvine are unique and marked by transitions, challenges, and undoubtedly, moments of triumph. Transfer Student Week provides the opportunity to amplify transfer voices and experiences. When we recognize and celebrate the hard work, dedication, and commitment to academic excellence that transfer students possess, we create a more receptive culture for transfers on campus.”
This week’s main event was the Transfer Student Week Celebration, which took place on Tuesday, October 22, at the UC Irvine Cross Cultural Center. This event invited the transfer student community to connect with each other as they learned about campus resources and participated in fun activities like bracelet making and an ice breaker bingo challenge. Throughout the event, transfer students came to the front to share their journeys and what they hoped to gain from their UC Irvine experience. Attendees also enjoyed lunch, a photobooth, and the chance to win transfer swag and other prizes.
Caption: Student poses with Transfer Student Week Celebration giveaway prize.
On Thursday, October 24, the University of California (UC) Transfer Success Coalition hosted a virtual training and presentation titled “Identifying, Creating and Promoting a Transfer Receptive Culture in the UCs.” Open to faculty, staff, and students from all UC campuses, this training invited attendees to learn more about fostering inclusive and supportive environments for all transfer students.
Caption: Students Zot! Zot! Zot! As they enjoy lunch at the Transfer Student Week Celebration.
On Thursday, October 24, Transfer Student Week continued with a special session of Transfer Tea. Transfer Tea is a weekly social hour hosted by the TSC in partnership with the UC Irvine Counseling Center. At Transfer Tea Sessions, students are encouraged to engage with each other and Suan Stapatyanon, Counseling Center Senior Staff Psychologist and TSC liaison, as they get the ‘tea’ on campus support opportunities. For the Transfer Student Week session, attendees enjoyed coffee, tea, and pastries while making UC Irvine-themed magnets.
Caption: Student makes beaded bracelet at the Transfer Student Week Celebration.
Caption: Transfer Student Week social media challenge.
The TSC also hosted a special Transfer Student Week social media challenge that incentivized transfer students to complete tasks that familiarized them with campus support resources. The challenge included tasks such as attending a career workshop and going to a professor’s office hours. Students who submitted photos or other proof of completing the challenge tasks were entered into a prize raffle. This challenge was a great way to encourage transfer students to get involved on campus while also extending the reach of Transfer Student Week online.
Reflecting on this year’s Transfer Student Week, Adeeva says:
“Transfer Student Week was a great success! The goal for the TSC is always to engage with transfers so they are aware of the resources and support that they have here on campus. I believe that Transfer Student Week allowed us to reach transfer students we have not yet had the opportunity to engage with, and I feel confident they are now more connected to campus and the transfer community.”
Visit the TSC website for more information on TSC programs, resources, and services. To stay up-to-date with the latest TSC news and events, follow the TSC on Instagram.