Virginia Tech students, staff celebrated as part of National Transfer Student Week
Virginia Tech, in conjunction with the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS), is celebrating the university’s 2,605 transfer students and the dedicated staff who support them, as part of National Transfer Student Week, Oct. 15-19.
National Transfer Student Week offers Virginia Tech an opportunity to recognize this valued student population and to highlight their successes and contributions to the campus community. The week is also a celebration of the enrollment management and academic advising professionals at Virginia Tech who support transfer students in their transition to the university.
One in five Virginia Tech graduates come to campus as transfer students. This fall, 1,078 new transfer students enrolled and became part of the Virginia Tech student body.
“Transfer students are true Hokies and an important part of the Virginia Tech community,” said Kim Smith, assistant provost for academic advising initiatives. “They are supported by a variety of resources and staff specifically dedicated to enhancing and enriching transfer students’ experiences. Our goal is to help them integrate into the Virginia Tech community and connect with this institution.
“There is so much Virginia Tech has to offer academically, socially, and professionally that every transfer student can find what appeals to their unique interests. We want to help them find ways to get involved and connected with the community and campus life.”
Smith said transfer students are a diverse population and offer unique perspectives and experiences that they can contribute to enriching the Virginia Tech community.
“Transfer students are unique in many ways,” Smith said. “Recruiting them often requires much more of an individualized process and a greater emphasis on dialogue than with other populations. These students come from diverse backgrounds with an equally varied set of life and academic experiences, expectations, and goals. It is important to take all of this into account when helping them formulate and execute their vision for their future.”
National Transfer Student Week highlights the support of transfer student success through education, research, and advocacy. NISTS actively supports transfer student advocates and professionals who serve the interests of transfer students, and who conduct transfer-related research.
In addition to its ongoing programmatic initiatives for transfer students, Virginia Tech plans to celebrate National Transfer Student Week with a free picnic for its newest Hokies in the Hahn Horticulture Garden. “It is an opportunity for new transfer students to take some time, celebrate, refresh, and relax while exploring the beauty and tranquility of Hahn Garden and Virginia Tech,” said Smith.
For more information on Virginia Tech’s transfer student services and admissions requirements, visit the Transfer Admissions homepage or contact them at admissions@vt.edu. Throughout National Transfer Student Week, there will also be a series of Student Spotlight features posted on the Virginia Tech Transfer Students Facebook site.
