National Transfer Student Week celebrates students, faculty, and staff
Virginia Tech, in conjunction with the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students, is celebrating the university’s 3,031 transfer students and the dedicated staff who support them as part of National Transfer Student Week, Oct. 17-21.
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. This summer/fall, 997 new transfer students enrolled and became part of the Virginia Tech student body.
“Transfer students are an important part of Virginia Tech," said Allison Silknetter, assistant director for Transfer Student Initiatives, which oversees programming for National Transfer Student Week. "They are students who deeply appreciate what it means to be a Hokie. National Transfer Student Week is a time to recognize all that transfer students add to our campus and community."
Among the programs available for transfer students as part of the Hokie Transfer Community (HTC) are the Transfer Experience Living-Learning Community; Transfer Peer Mentor Program; Tau Sigma, a national honor society for transfer students; the transfer transition course (UNIV 2114); and Hokie Corner, where prospective students can speak with representatives from Virginia Tech to work through the transfer process.
Ashley Sparks, a senior psychology major, transferred to Virginia Tech in fall 2019. When asked to reflect upon her time in the Hokie Transfer Community, she said, “Being involved with the Transfer Community has changed my experience here at Tech for the better. Not only has it helped me gain leadership experience, but it also has helped me gain friendships that will last a lifetime. I’ve never been a part of a more loving and welcoming community. Go Hokies!” Sparks served as social chair for the Transfer Experience Living-Learning Community and currently serves as a teaching assistant for UNIV 2114.
Mia Bostic has been involved with the HTC since transferring to Virginia Tech in fall 2020 as an Environmental Economics: Management and Policy major. Bostic said her involvement in the community has shaped her time at Virginia Tech for the better. “The mentor program has been the most fulfilling experience of my career as a Hokie. From being a transfer myself to now leading other transfers through their transition into Tech, it’s been so gratifying. I’ve been able to develop myself as a leader and a friend.” Bostic currently serves as the president of the Transfer Peer Mentor Program, overseeing a group of 27 mentors.
National Transfer Student Week highlights the support of transfer student success through education, research, and advocacy. The National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students actively supports transfer student advocates and professionals who serve the interests of transfer students and who conduct transfer-related research.
Nasim Schwab, associate director of Academic Advising Initiatives, plays an integral role in transfer student success at Virginia Tech. “The Hokie Transfer Community strives to make every Virginia Tech transfer student feel welcome and a part of the Hokie community from the moment they are offered admission. The HTC programs are designed to provide new transfer students a support system of both peers and professional staff during their transition and first year at Virginia Tech,” said Schwab. “Additionally, we want every transfer student to know they matter and are an important member of our community.”
In addition to its ongoing programmatic initiatives for transfer students, the HTC, in collaboration with academic advisors, will be celebrating National Transfer Student Week by hosting events and giveaways for transfer students. The HTC will also be highlighting transfers students on social media. In addition, faculty and staff that were previous transfer students will be highlighted. These highlights, as well as the student spotlights and a full list of events, can be found on the National Transfer Student Week website.
Written by Chenaye Blankenship
