Virginia Tech, in conjunction with the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS), is celebrating the university’s 3,016 transfer students and the dedicated staff who support them, as part of National Transfer Student Week, Oct. 19-23.

National Transfer Student Week offers Virginia Tech an opportunity to recognize this valued student population and to highlight their successes and contributions to the campus community. The week is also a celebration of the enrollment management and academic advising professionals at Virginia Tech who support transfer students in their transition to the university.

Nasim Schwab, assistant director for transfer student initiatives, oversees programming for National Transfer Student Week, as well as other programs for transfer students included in the Hokie Transfer Community (HTC). Among these programs are the Transfer Experience living-learning community, transfer peer mentor program, Tau Sigma, the transfer transition course (UNIV 2984), Hokie Corner, and the student-led Transfer Student Organization (TSO).

“The Hokie Transfer Community strives to make every Virginia Tech transfer student feel welcome and a part of the Hokie community from the moment they are offered admission,” said Schwab. “The HTC programs are designed to provide new transfer students a support system of both peers and professional staff during their transition and first year at Virginia Tech. Additionally, these programs give current Virginia Tech students who were previous transfer students an opportunity to get involved in leadership positions.

“We want every transfer student to know they matter and are an important member of our community.”

One in seven Virginia Tech graduates come to campus as transfer students. This fall, 1,217 new transfer students enrolled and became part of the Virginia Tech community.

Jenna Helme transferred to Virginia Tech in fall 2018 as a mathematics major. When asked to reflect upon her time at Virginia Tech, she said, “I think about the HTC. It provided me with opportunities to make friends, gain leadership experiences, and learn what it means to be a Hokie.” Helme has participated in the transfer peer mentor program as a mentee and mentor and is president of Tau Sigma. She currently serves as a teaching assistant for UNIV 2984.

Nishant Grover has been involved with the HTC since transferring to Virginia Tech in fall 2019 as an accounting and information systems major. Grover said his role as a teaching assistant for UNIV 2984 and participating in socials has been a great resource for him.

“Organizing programs and events, such as transfer student paint night, has been very fun. The HTC has helped me meet and network with fellow transfer students, as well as provide a strong support system of advisors and counselors that I utilized during my first semester,” said Grover.

National Transfer Student Week highlights the support of transfer student success through education, research, and advocacy. NISTS actively supports transfer student advocates and professionals who serve the interests of transfer students, and who conduct transfer-related research.​

Allison Silknetter, program director of the Transfer Experience living-learning community, plays an integral role in transfer student success at Virginia Tech. “Transfer students are an important part of Virginia Tech. They are students who deeply appreciate what it means to be a Hokie. National Transfer Student Week is a time to recognize all that transfer students add to our campus and community.”

In addition to its ongoing programmatic initiatives for transfer students, the HTC, in collaboration with academic advisors, will be celebrating National Transfer Student Week by hosting events and giveaways for transfer students. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions and the HTC will be featuring transfer student spotlights on the Hokie Transfer Community Instagram, the Virginia Tech Transfer Students Facebook site, and the VT Admissions Instagram.

In addition, faculty and staff that were previous transfer students will be highlighted. These highlights, as well as the student spotlights and a full list of events, can be found on the National Transfer Student Week website.

Written by Chenaye Blankenship

Share this story