Transfer students are an important segment of the University’s undergraduate population. UNC Charlotte admits the highest number of transfer students in the entire UNC System. This past year, about 4,000 transfer students enrolled at UNC Charlotte and arrived on campus from community colleges and other institutions across the state and nation.
National Transfer Student Week is being observed Monday, Oct. 21, through Friday, Oct. 25, and the UNC Charlotte Transfer Center is partnering with other campus units to celebrate the institution’s diverse population of transfer students. The University Transfer Center facilitates a seamless transition to UNC Charlotte with center advisors who provide support and advocate for transfer students as they progress toward graduation.
John Newsom, who transferred to UNC Charlotte from Wake Technical Community College, said the University Transfer Center helped make his transition easier.
“They (the advisors) were there when I had any questions on which classes to take and when to take them, and they helped me change my major,” said Newsom, originally from Garner; he aspires to work in law enforcement.
Caldwell Community College transfer Colby McMillan also discovered support and guidance at the University Transfer Center.
“Coming out of high school, I had no idea what I wanted to study. This led me to choose the community college route for the first year, but I wanted to expand my experiences to allow for new opportunities,” said McMillan. “I considered other schools, but Charlotte is a growing city, full of opportunity, and it was difficult to turn down the chance to study in this area.”
McMillan said the uncertainty of transferring to a new school can be frustrating, but “the Transfer Center was always there to guide me. They were great at pointing me to people I could speak with about certain areas of study. I expected to have more opportunity, better support and superior instruction and that is exactly what I got.”
While she transferred as an undeclared major, McMillan decided on accounting after exploring other areas.
“I truly do not think there is a better place to study accounting,” said McMillan. “The on-campus recruiting is unmatched, and the professors are phenomenal. I was able to obtain an internship with Grant Thornton because of the opportunities at UNC Charlotte.”
Between Monday, Oct. 21, and Thursday, Oct. 24, staff members from the University Transfer Center will be stationed on campus to celebrate UNC Charlotte transfer students and learn more about their stories; stop by and pick up free merchandise from various campus partners.
Transfer Center staff will be at the Belk Plaza fountain from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Oct. 21; outside the Starbucks at the Popp Martin Student Union between 1 to 3 p.m., Oct. 23 and near the Prospector Building from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Oct. 24.
Atkins Library will hold two mix-and-mingle events for transfer students; the first is from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Oct. 22, and the second one will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m., Oct. 24. Both events will be in Makerspace, on the library’s second floor. Students will be able to make a button designed just for transfers.