Radford University celebrates National Transfer Student Week
Every weekday, Felicity Holmes climbs into Abby Jones’ Honda Accord and the two make the short 10-minute journey to their new home away from home, Radford University.
On the way, they talk about “everything,” Felicity says. “We’re together almost all day, even weekends, so we talk about a lot of things.
“Sometimes, though, we just listen to music and don’t talk, because we’re aggravated with each other,” she says laughing. Abby laughs, too.
Felicity and Abby have been nearly inseparable since meeting at church more than 10 years ago. They do almost everything together, they study, watch movies and go shopping. They have most of the same classes – both are elementary education majors. Another similarity is that their higher education journey began at New River Community College and most recently, the tight-knit pair transferred to Radford.
“We stick with each other and support each other,” Felicity says. “It’s nice to have each other when you’re at a new school. We keep each other accountable.”
Abby smiles and admits, “I’m a big procrastinator.” Her eyes move to Felicity, as they both burst into laughter.
Abby and Felicity are like many Radford University students. In the fall of 2019, approximately 25%, or just more than 1,800, of total enrolled undergraduate students came to Radford University as transfer students. And, each year, about 80% of the University’s new transfer students arrive on campus from the 23 institutions that make up the Virginia Community College System.
For Felicity, transferring to Radford after community college was an easy decision, she says, “because I always wanted to be a teacher, and I’ve always known that the education program for teachers here is so great. No other college came to mind. I’ve always wanted to come to Radford, ever since I was a little kid.”
“National Transfer Student Week provides a formal opportunity to recognize the significance of transfer students as their engagement and success matter to us each and every day.”
Abby’s decision-making process was more complex.
She originally attended New River Community College, because she was uncertain about a major and a career path. She considered multiple careers before ultimately circling back to a childhood dream of being an elementary school teacher. The University’s reputation for training highly-skilled educators, and the proximity to her home, led her to Radford.
“It’s just the best place for me,” Abby says. “And, it was a pretty easy transition.”
In April 2019, Radford University signed a guaranteed transfer partnership agreement to ensure credits earned by New River Community College students transferred to Radford, savings students time and money, which helps make the process less stressful and the college experience more affordable.
The transition went smoothly with representatives from both schools doing their diligence in ensuring the students’ success.
“We had really great advisors,” Felicity says. “They worked really hard for us. Everyone was so supportive.”
The support system between New River Community College and Radford University alleviated much of the stress for Felicity and Abby, who now are full-time students, while working two jobs.
From October 21 through 25, 2019, Radford University is joining campuses around the United States to celebrate students, like Felicity and Abby, who have made the adjustment of moving from one college to another, and the professionals who support them, with National Transfer Student Week.
The week is sponsored by the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students, which says that “it is vitally important that we build awareness of common transfer barriers and the diverse student needs and identities within our transfer populations.”
Celebrating transfer students is a wonderful idea, Felicity says. “It makes you feel even more of an affinity for your college, knowing that they value and celebrate you. Transfer students need to know they are valued.”
Felicity, Abby and their fellow transfer students are an important source of undergraduate enrollment, “but just as important, transfer students add to the diversity and richness of the Radford student experience,” says Kitty McCarthy, Radford University’s vice president for Enrollment Management.
“National Transfer Student Week provides a formal opportunity to recognize the significance of transfer students as their engagement and success matter to us each and every day.”