Orionna Brumfield
MC301 Contributor/Staff
New sights, new people, new opportunities, and most importantly, a new school! Jackson State University welcomes transfer students with the same enthusiasm as incoming freshmen. In fact, the Community College Relations office is dedicated to helping transfer students adjust to life at JSU.
Many of the transfer students who come to JSU from community colleges have already earned an Associate’s degree, and are completing the last two or three years at a university to receive a Bachelor’s degree.
Having earned a degree is an advantage most transfers have already achieved, but disad-vantages can include limited social interactions because of the new environment.
Paul Scott, Community College Recruiter at JSU said, “I leave a lot of literature to all the community colleges across the state that I visit.” Scott goes to different community colleges to talk to students about Jackson State. He also brings advisors and transfer ambassadors along with him to answer more specific questions about properly transferring.
He added: “I feel that this institution can be a great foundation for transfer students. The community college relations office has a lot of different programs that are set in stone just for community college students” said Scott.
Jackson State has many programs, activities, and organizations that offer new member-ship opportunities every semester. Transfer students have the opportunity to get involved quickly in whatever interests them.
Elise Madison, a junior biology pre-vet major from Jackson, Miss. said, “There are more opportunities for you to have fun and meet lots of people. The campus is full of excitement. The university also gives you the opportunity to have more food choices.”
Xylan Epps, a junior multimedia journalism major from Jackson, Miss. agrees. He did not go to a community college before Jackson State University. Instead, he transferred from Mis-sissippi State University to Jackson State for the HBCU experience. He said, “My experience at JSU has been good so far. I really like my professors, and I feel like they’re helping me get to where I need to be in order to be successful in my future career. I like the atmosphere of the campus as well.”
“Embrace your new school, with that, you’ll be able to be more involved in activities on campus. Make friends and connections that you could possibly take to new heights and benefit you when you look for jobs,” Epps.
Although the Community College Relations office is dedicated to helping with the new adjustment, transfer students have to prepare themselves individually for the change. Community colleges are smaller, and many say the student’s experience there is more personal.
Jasmine Robb, a junior social work major from Rosedale, Miss. said, “For me personally, it was wise to go to a community college first because you find out what you’re capable of. If I know I’m not where I need to be in my education, a community college helps me get there. A university has a fast pace.”
Madison also noticed the difference in pace between a community college and university.
“A community college for me was more organized than a university. There was more one on one time with the counselors at the community college, and they guided and helped you on your right career path. You are kind of on your own when you go to a university. At a university, you have to learn how to make connections,” said Madison.
A university gives students the opportunity to figure things out for themselves individu-ally. Although this may be a disadvantage for some, it can help students mature.
Most transfer students agree that adjusting to a new school is challenging.
“You have to know your main purpose for going to a university” said Robb.
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