Campus Life

Penn State celebrates National Transfer Student Week

Professional photos in front of the Lion Shrine, free coffee and more

Incoming students listen to a presentation during a New Student Orientation session in summer 2019. Credit: Steve Tressler / Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State will recognize transfer and change-of-campus students with a series of activities as part of National Student Transfer Week on Oct. 21-25.

According to the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students, more college students are transferring now than ever before. And although the transition experienced by students as they navigate between institutions is inherently complex, transferring can be a valuable pathway to completing a bachelor’s degree. In Fall 2019, over 1,500 students transferred from other colleges and universities to Penn State.

At Penn State, the network of campuses creates similar opportunities for students to follow multiple paths on their way to completing a Penn State degree. This past fall, more than 4,000 students changed from one Penn State campus to another. While change-of-campus students aren’t transferring to a new college or university, they do experience similar social and personal opportunities and challenges as transfer students when they arrive at a new Penn State campus.

To honor these students and to celebrate the contributions they make to the Penn State experience, Student Orientation and Transition Programs is celebrating National Transfer and Change-of-Campus Student Appreciation week with a series of activities and events, including:

  • Monday, Oct. 21: Transfer and change-of-campus students will be able to get a free photo taken by professional photographers at the Lion Shrine from 3-5 p.m. 
  • Tuesday, Oct. 22: Free coffee and breakfast breads will be offered at the Pattee Mall near the Library steps from 9-11 a.m. (while supplies last) .
  • Thursday, Oct. 24: Come by the third floor of the Bank of America Career Services Center for free ice cream and to pick up a t-shirt from your academic college t-shirt.

Each of these events provide a great opportunity for students to meet other transfer or change-of-campus students and to help students get connected with important and valuable on campus resources and services.

National Transfer Student Week celebrates transfer students and the faculty, staff and other students who support them on their journey to a college degree. The National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students started the week as a way to challenge assumptions, build empathy and instill transfer pride.

Throughout the week, Student Orientation and Transition Programs will be featuring transfer and change-of-campus student profiles on Twitter and Instagram (@PennStateSOTP).

The Office of Student Orientation and Transition Programs is part of Penn State Student Affairs and Penn State Undergraduate Education. Penn State Undergraduate Education is the academic administrative unit that provides leadership and coordination for University-wide programs and initiatives in support of undergraduate teaching and learning at Penn State. Learn more about Undergraduate Education at undergrad.psu.edu.

 

Last Updated October 23, 2019