Each year, during the third week of October, we celebrate our transfer students and everything that they contribute to our LMU community. Transfer students, please join us for in-person and virtual events taking place all week. Want to shout out a transfer student? Please contact the Student Success office with your nominations!
Transfer students are supported by Transfer Programs in the Student Success office of Student Affairs. The office provides programming, services, and resources and is dedicated to serving students during their transition to campus. Transfer Programs can help make the transition to college life in Los Angeles effortless and rewarding. These resources and programs are designed with transfer student success in mind and we invite new students to become familiar with them.
Meet two of LMU’s current transfer students
Erin Schroeder ’22, a psychology major and international relations and Asian Pacific studies minor, transferred to LMU from Moorpark College. One of the things that drew Schroeder to LMU was the small class sizes and a visit to campus made LMU feel like a great fit. Today, Schroeder is the president of Lion Transfer Network, a registered student organization dedicated to meeting the needs of the transfer student community at LMU.
Building relationships and community has quickly become one of Schroeder’s favorite parts about being at LMU. “At first, I was worried about finding my place, I was scared that I would struggle in my classes and have trouble making friends,” said Schroeder. “I met with my professors to make sure I was doing things right, and I pushed myself to go to events and meetings to get to know other people. The sense of community I feel here is unlike any experience I have had in college, which is why it stands out to me so much now. There is a place for anyone here, and if you work your way around long enough, you’ll be forming lasting relationships that you’ll carry with you for a lifetime.”
Aurora Celeste ’22, a psychology major, transferred from a community college in Mississippi. Celeste was also drawn to LMU by the small class sizes and an appreciation for how LMU has created a diverse community and is known for its emphasis on student service and volunteer work. For Celeste, the transfer community is important because it allows students to bring so many unique perspectives and experiences to LMU. “The transfer students I’ve met have jumped right in and become involved, said Celeste. “Sometimes we don’t know anyone from classes when we first start, so if you find out someone’s a transfer student, take a minute to get to know them.”
Celeste also serves as the president of Tau Sigma. “I interned over the summer with Save It Forward,” a program that mentors high school students in financial literacy, said Celeste. “This semester I joined their marketing and outreach team.”
Working with LMU transfer students
“Transfer students bring a unique experience, insight and determination to the LMU campus community,” said Ruben Nunez, assistant director of transfer admission and enrollment services. “Our transfer students come to LMU determined and excited to get the most out of their time with us. From the moment they step on campus, they don’t waste any time getting involved on campus, finding on campus work opportunities, taking on leadership roles, and overall finding those opportunities to make their time at LMU as impactful as possible.”
Nunez works with transfer students from the start of their college journey up through the enrollment process. For Nunez, the chance to be in community and support one another have been one of the best parts about coming to work at LMU. Nunez shares, “Having joined LMU at the start of the pandemic, the community I’ve been able to watch and be a part of helps in the work we do for our transfer students.”
National Transfer Students Week Events Line-Up (View the full calendar here):
Monday, Oct. 18, Crosswalk Photobooth, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Transfer Lions Kick-Off
No need to RSVP. Simply walk over to the Palm Walk and Alumni Mall crossroad and get your picture taken with our Transfer Lions sign! Make sure to hashtag your pictures #NationalTransferWeek21 #TransferLions (No RSVP required)
Tuesday, Oct. 19, Instagram, All Day
Transfer Student Highlights
We are going to highlight our Transfer students and their major accomplishments and involvement on campus. Catch the posts all day via the LMU Student Success Instagram account: @lmustudentsuccess (No RSVP required)
Wednesday, Oct. 20, Alumni Mall, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Wellness Wednesdays & Transfer Leadership Team Painting Corner
All are welcome to join the Transfer Leadership Team for this opportunity to unwind, get creative and get some painting done! Students are encouraged to bring their own canvases or notebooks if they want to keep their paintings. (No RSVP required)
Thursday, Oct. 21, Palm South Courtyard, 4-6 p.m.
Pumpkin Decorating with Lion Transfer Network
Lion Transfer Network and Tau Sigma want to celebrate spooky szn with you! Come decorate a pumpkin and meet other transfer students! (Please RSVP if you are going to attend.)
Friday, Oct. 22, Sunken Gardens, noon-2 p.m.
Transfer BBQ
Most of our current transfer students missed out on the annual summer Transfer BBQ LMU hosts each year. But we’re back! Let’s picnic beneath the palms in Sunken Gardens. (Please RSVP if you are going to attend.)