Oct. 20 marks the start of National Transfer Student Week, a time to celebrate the thriving community of transfer students at The University of Alabama and the dedicated individuals who make it all possible.
Dre Vaden serves as the program manager for Student Engagement Transfer Initiatives housed within the Capstone Center for Student Success. As a transfer student who graduated from The Capstone in 2019, she has become a voice, support system and mentor for all transfer students.
“I often tell people it’s very much my full circle moment here at UA once being a transfer student and now being able to be on the receiving end of once [students] transfer to Alabama and being the person who gets to welcome them with open arms at Bama Bound,” she said.
This role is also very special to Vaden because her efforts and initiatives have helped students feel a sense of pride by breaking the stigma around the transfer process.
“I believe that we’re creating a really healthy culture for our transfer students to feel loved and accepted, just like everyone else here,” Vaden said.
The transfer program at UA has grown immensely over the years with the goal of providing connection, leadership and support. Transfer students can join Tau Sigma honor society exclusively for transfers, attend one-to-one or small group mentorship and build relationships at monthly Bama Transfer events. Panels at Bama Bound, post-orientation workshop series and a team of 20 transfer student ambassadors also provide guidance throughout the year. These program efforts equip students with the tools they need to be successful and confident in their transition to a large institution.
Vaden’s typical day as program manager includes communication with transfer students, teaching orientation courses, presenting on transfer student support, visiting state community colleges and having her office serve as a hub for her students to come with questions and concerns.
“I’ve become that voice in the room who’s like, what about our transfer students? How will this impact our transfer students?” she said.
According to Vaden, transfer students can feel like they are behind in their journey and battle imposter syndrome. She shared that transfers often question if they are where they are supposed to be, so she acts as a safety net, encouraging and pushing her students to fully jump into whatever it is they want to get involved in.
“I like to tell students to think of me as, like, connecting the dots for them. I can help them get to where they need to go if they don’t know where to start,” Vaden said.
National Transfer Student Week
This National Transfer Student Week, Vaden looks forward to celebrating Bama Transfers and getting their stories out into the community so they can continue to feel seen.
“Like I said, every day is a day of celebrating our transfer students in my office. But I’m just excited that more people are becoming aware of our transfer students, and they just are incredible, because they love giving back to each other as well,” Vaden said.
Bama Transfers plans to put on several events to mark the occasion. Some upcoming activities to look out for include a t-shirt swap, trivia night, transfer basketball tournament and student stories shared through social media. There will also be a Transfer Scholars Day in partnership with admissions, where in state community college students are invited to campus to see all that UA has to offer.
Having a designated voice for transfer students has already made a huge impact by bringing a transfer perspective to the table. When looking at the future of the transfer program, Vaden shared her vision for a transfer center. The space could serve as a “one-stop shop” for students from admission to graduation, focusing on not just bringing transfers in but keeping them here and guiding them through different challenges.
Bama Transfers are represented in all areas of campus, from the Blackburn Institute to the Honors College, Capstone Men and Women, and even the UA School of Law. Their accomplishments prove that just because your initial pathway didn’t lead you to UA right away, it does not mean you’ll be any less successful. With support and encouragement from faculty and staff like Vaden, transfer students have learned to thrive as they continue their academic journey at The Capstone.
Student Success Story
Becoming a transfer student in the middle of your higher education journey is not without its obstacles, but the standout scholarships, program initiatives and welcoming community, make the transition much smoother for students.
Reggie Clifton transferred from Central Alabama Community College, and since then has immersed himself in Student Government Association work, the Accounting Honor Society and two different student ambassador positions.
As a Culverhouse Ambassador, Clifton is able to give tours of the Culverhouse College of Business to new incoming students. His background as a transfer student offers a unique perspective that students may not get with other ambassadors. Here is where Clifton realized he wanted to do something to specifically help support transfers and got involved as one of the twenty transfer student ambassadors, sharing their experience on campus.
Clifton believes that having somebody who has gone through the same experience as you can be extremely beneficial when coming to a big campus with so much to offer. He shared that his role as a transfer ambassador means a lot because it gives students someone to bounce ideas off, but also shows them that they can do it.
“I get to be a mentor to them, let them know what worked for me, what didn’t work for me, and then also be able to advise them on how they should navigate their time here,” Clifton said.
Clifton’s involvement in various areas of campus reflects his passion and dedication to creating a supportive community, just as he experienced when he first arrived. His journey to becoming a prominent part of the UA community serves as an inspiration for students trying to find their place as a transfer.
A Takeaway for all Transfer Students
As a successful transfer student himself, Clifton says that the key to making this leap is believing in yourself and knowing that when challenges arise, you will have someone to lean on and eventually be able to offer that same support to someone else.
“I think my one piece of advice will be that you can do it,” he said. “I’m a really big believer that you can do anything you put your mind to. It will be a transition. It is going to be hard, but once you get through it, you’re going to realize that you made it through.”
“You’re going to have your story to tell.”