Florida State University recognized the research, leadership and service accomplishments of transfer students on Oct. 20 during an inaugural Transfer Student Leadership Summit at the Honors, Scholars, and Fellows House.
The signature event launched FSU’s celebration of National Transfer Student Week, a yearly celebration traditionally held during the third week of October to increase the sense of community and pride among the unique population of students across the nation who have transferred to an institution from somewhere else.
FSU First Lady Jai Vartikar opened the Transfer Student Leadership Summit with remarks recognizing the importance of transfer student contributions to the university. She commended students for their work, considering they have less time than their counterparts who started their college journey at FSU.
Vartikar reminded summit participants that FSU President Richard McCullough began his academic journey as a first-generation and transfer student. She said that dreaming big and working hard has valuable results.
“Whether it’s research, leadership or service, all of these experiences are going to help you discover and develop your strengths and build confidence,” Vartikar said. “Know whatever you decide to do, whatever you set your sights on, you can achieve it, and you can do it.”
Transfer students make up around 25% of the undergraduate student body at FSU. This year, FSU set a university- and statewide record, with 80% of transfer students graduating within three years of enrolling at the institution.
During the summit, students presented their research and leadership accomplishments during a gallery showcase. They spotlighted their work through poster displays and networked with faculty and peers.
Transfer students’ work covered topics in many fields, including medicine, geography, biology, communications and psychology.
“The fact that transfer students are participating in this leadership summit shows that they have such a thirst for scholarly work,” said Robbin Haggins, director of Transfer Student Services. “They want to be important contributors to the undergraduate experience.”
Nathan Sanborn, a history student who previously attended Seminole State College of Florida, presented research he conducted in the Amazon rainforest. He shared his work learning about how deforestation leads to mass spread of disease, poorly affecting local Amazonian communities.
“Due to the increase of sunlight hitting the forest floor and lakes, it creates a mass breeding ground for mosquitos and snails that carry disease,” Sanborn said.
Gabriella Fanchette, an international affairs student who transferred from Chipola College, presented about her experience running social media for the Southern Scholarship Foundation, which provides rent-free housing and learning communities for students.
“It feels good to be highlighted,” Fanchette said. “The untraditional route of a transfer student is just as valuable and academically challenging, so it is nice to have something dedicated to us.”
Learn more about Transfer Student Services at https://transferstudents.fsu.edu/.