Some of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s most dedicated Mocs may not have started their journeys on UTC’s campus.
But after transferring, those students are part of a community that provides support to help every student feel at home.
As part of this work, UTC’s Student Success Programs is hosting Transfer Student Week—taking place Oct. 20-24—to help transfer students find community, chat with other transfers and explore campus resources.
“This is a national event that takes place every year during the third week of October,” said Melissa Laseter, working with Student Success Programs. “Last year was the first time UTC participated, and we’re using this year’s celebration as a way to build momentum for even more support and engagement moving forward.”
Laseter said transfer students represent a growing population at UTC. Historically, many have not had access to the same big welcome experience that new first-year students receive when they arrive on campus.
“They know how to do college, but they don’t know how to do it here,” Laseter said. “They have a lot of knowledge, but not necessarily about this campus or what we do. And they don’t necessarily want to do the same thing that an 18-year-old does when they get here as a freshman.”
She said the goal of Transfer Student Week is to help students feel connected while recognizing that their needs and interests may differ from those of traditional first-year students.
“The biggest thing transfer students need is belonging,” Laseter said. “Do I belong here on this campus? Do I belong in my major? Do I belong with these other students? If you feel like you’re not being heard or seen, or left to figure things out on your own, you don’t necessarily feel like you belong. We all need to feel connected, supported and valued.”
This year’s Transfer Student Week is themed around gaming, including a “create your own avatar” kickoff event, a “Coffee Chat” with campus leaders and advisors, and “Transfers Take Chattanooga”—a partnership with the UTC Aquatic and Recreation Center that offers a group bike ride along the Chattanooga Riverwalk.
“We’re also doing a bingo card where students fill out at least so many things on their card,” Laseter said. “It’s not about having people run all over campus, but meeting some people, talking to somebody you don’t know—just finding ways to make sure they know that people care about them.”
Laseter said Transfer Student Week is a starting point for what she hopes will become a larger mission to support this group throughout the entire school year.
“Everything is tailored so much toward a brand-new student. We tend to think of college as 18 to 23, but that number is changing,” she said. “We have to be willing to change with it.”
Transfer Student Week calendar:
Monday (Oct. 20)
- 2-4 p.m., Ready Player One: Build Your Own Avatar, Lupton Hall Lobby.
Build your avatar, grab snacks and swag, take photos and learn your mission.
Tuesday (Oct. 21)
- 9-11 a.m., Recharge and Level Up: Coffee Chat, Library courtyard.
Enjoy a light breakfast, meet other transfer students and connect with campus leadership.
- 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Recharge and Level Up: All Majors Job and Internship Fair, Library courtyard
Wednesday (Oct. 22)
- 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Multiplayer Mode: Snap into the Spotlight, Lupton Hall 201.
Join the College of Arts and Sciences to unveil a new selfie wall and showcase.
- 1-2 p.m., Multiplayer Mode: Digital You, Zoom.
The Graduate School and Career Connections explore online tools for career advancement.
- 2-5 p.m., Multiplayer Mode: Knock Your Socks Off!, CECS Center for Student Success (450 ECS Building). Help decorate for Halloween and earn a pair of Power C socks.
Thursday (Oct. 23)
- 5-7 p.m., Bonus Level: Game Night, The Aviary at Stacy Town Center.
Eat tacos, play games and meet more Mocs.
Friday (Oct. 24)
- 4-6 p.m., Unlock the Map: Explore Chatt. Depart from the ARC
and walk or bike the Chattanooga Riverwalk with Campus Recreation. Registration required in MocSync.
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