UNC Greensboro is proud to say that students “find their way here.” For more than a third of those students, finding their way includes a few extra steps.
It’s thanks to people at the Division of Student Success that those steps do not feel like speed bumps on the road to transfer students’ much-anticipated degree or dream career.
“What I hear often from transfer students is about assistance with mapping the degree plan,” says Trina Gabriel. As assistant director of transfer initiatives, she knows how course availability and the graduation timeline feeds into students’ other concerns, such as finances, time investment, and employment opportunities.
UNCG offers services and resources to support a transfer student’s journey, which can be accessed even before they are accepted.
“One of the things that I would impress on students is that you do not have to wait until you transfer to begin making connections and building relationships,” says Gabriel. “Whether it’s with the admissions office, your intended department or program, a club or an organization, you want to know what the space may look like.”
Enriching our campus
Gabriel and her coworkers factor in transfer students’ different backgrounds and circumstances. That variety, she says, enriches the entire UNCG campus.
“You’ve got those who are working full-time or part-time, those who are supporting families, those who are parents, those who may be taking care of aging parents, and those with military affiliations. For some, it’s been ten years since they’ve been in the classroom. That diversity of backgrounds brings a lot to campus life.”
Gabriel says building community is critical to a transfer student. The University, she explains, already knows they are academically capable. “You’ve done that work in a different space. Now you’re transitioning into this space. There’s a community here that stands ready to welcome you and help you find your space, even prior to an official admission.”
That includes helping students acclimate to new procedures and new costs that they may have not encountered at their prior institution.
“They’ve done registration before, but it could be a different system here,” says Gabriel. “There are different acronyms. The new-ness of it all, understanding the culture, the language, it can be overwhelming.”
Tau Sigma, the national transfer honor society, has a presence on campus. The organization is invitation only, but UNCG has another mentoring program called Transfer2Transfer. It pairs first-year transfer students with other students who transferred before them.
“It’s a touch point with another student,” says Gabriel, “so we ensure we provide a myriad of ways for students to feel connected and get their questions answered.”
Continued research
A transfer advisory council made up of staff from different campus departments looks at how to better serve transfer students through policies, programs, and processes. UNCG also implemented a study called TrACE, which stands for “Transfer, Accelerate, Complete, and Engage,” which follows a cohort of transfer students to better understand their needs.
UNCG is always re-evaluating the ways we serve transfer students, especially as all universities adjust to workforce trends. Gabriel says she sees many students who earned an associate of applied science degree at a community college and then worked full-time before later deciding to complete a four-year degree.
Gabriel shares there are lots of other resources that are not labeled as being for transfer students, but they are just as helpful as they are to a freshman.
“I would never want anyone to have to change his or her identity to fit in,” she says. “Just like any other student, my advice to transfer students is to find your department, make contact with your professor; seek out clubs and organizations, like Career and Professional Development, the Writing Center and the Speaking Center, and the library. Go to athletic events. You are a UNCG student and should use every resource available.”
Story by Janet Imrick, University Communications
Photography by Martin W. Kane, University Communications; and courtesy of Trina Gabriel, Student Success
Achieve your dream at UNCG
We believe in providing a supportive environment to help you seamlessly transfer and continue your education as a Spartan. Get started by learning more about UNCG, learning how credits transfer and how to apply, or connecting with a counselor.
