By Lexi White
Features Editor

Transfer Student Assistant Saraiya Mack, computer science major Sean Gyimah, a junior, and Orientation, Transition and Family Engagement Graduate Intern Davonte Glasford at the event.
Delicious food, fun games and everlasting memories filled the academic quad to celebrate national transfer student week.
Transfer Student Services hosted a carnival for students who transferred to the university on Wednesday, Oct. 23.
Workers in Transfer Student Services said that they wanted to show new students that they are important and that the changes they have encountered do not go unnoticed.
Transfer Service Assistant Marquitta Preston said that she was very excited to support the students who transferred to the university. She was helping to host the transfer admissions table at the carnival.
“I think this is a wonderful event that really highlights and shows our appreciation for transfer students by celebrating them,” Preston said.
Transfer Articulation and Enrollment Coordinator Elena Forsyth also helped to host the event. Her goal was to help ensure an easy adaptation for new students at the university.
Forsyth also helps transfer students navigate which courses they should be taking by checking their transcripts and seeing if their credits from other colleges transferred over.
“We are definitely transfer-friendly, and we want to build the community by including students to make their transition as smooth as possible,” Forsyth said.
Kyra Catubig, a graduate student, works as an intern with the orientation, transition and family engagement office on campus. She said that they started this carnival last year and want to host it every year to recognize transfer students.
“Each year, the population of transfer students increases, so this event helps transfer students to feel more at home and welcomed,” Catubig said. “We want transfer students to be able to meet other transfer students so they can feel seen.”
One of the transfer students who attended the carnival was social work major Andrea Valdez, a sophomore. She said that she transferred from Connecticut State Community College’s Norwalk campus.
“I love how there is a bunch of tables with information for transfer students,” Valdez said. “Everywhere you turn, there is someone willing to help you.”
Valdez said that her transition to the university was easy because she got the help that she needed to transfer.
“At my community college, they were willing to help, but here, wherever you turn help is right there in front of you, which I love because I’ve never felt lost here,” Valdez said.
There are many resources available for transfer students through the orientation, transition and family engagement office and transfer student services. Valdez said that these outlets helped her to find her home.
“I feel like I’m finally a part of a community because transfers are so loved here,” Valdez said. “This school is made up of so many transfer students, and for us to be supported to a really great extent is so heartwarming.”
