The Communication Alumni Council’s annual Transfer Student Networking Event recently brought together third-year Communication transfer students to connect with alumni, advisors, and peers to ease their transition into student life at UCSB.

The Communication department runs the event to help transfer students forge a connection and sense of belonging early on in their academic career.

“The main purpose of this event has been to connect students with peers who are experiencing the same academic transition,” noted the department’s lead advisor, Salvador Gonzalez.

Transfer students now make up a majority in the major and the department wants to equip them for their academic and professional journeys. UCSB has a transfer-friendly policy, which is reflected in its admission rates.

Advisor Salvador Gonzalez and Panelist Jessica at the recent Transfer Student Panel event in the Communication Department. 

 “With a transfer admit rate of over 60% and one-third of our incoming class being transfer students, UCSB is a transfer-friendly campus,” UCSB Admissions says on its website. But transfer students in the past have expressed feeling disconnected from the campus community. “Reports have indicated transfer students are struggling more than their first-year counterparts,” Gonzalez pointed out.

The solution was to provide students with a laid-back opportunity to meet one another and create professional connections. The event began with a panel featuring fourth-year transfer students sharing their experiences transitioning to life at UCSB.  They shared valuable resources designed to support transfer students. The panelists were candid as they recalled the many ways they struggled and were able to seek help within the department.

Panelists sitting together at a recent Communication Department transfer student event.

Afterward, students were reintroduced to the department’s advisors who can guide transfer students through academic and personal challenges. Gonzalez highlighted opportunities such as becoming a research assistant or participating in the Senior Honors Program.  “This event is a great opportunity for incoming transfer students to receive advice from staff, faculty, and alumni, " he said, stressing that students can build a competitive résumé for the job market.

Attendees said they found the event both rewarding and empowering. “I feel supported to reach out to anyone in the Communication department now that I can recognize so many familiar faces,” said Nowshin Rahman, a third-year transfer student. “I feel as though the department has my back.”

Gia Guerrero is a third-year student majoring in Communication. She wrote the article for her Writing Program course Digital Journalism.