According to the National Student Clearinghouse, over one third of all college students will transfer institutions at some point in their higher education journey. Such drastic transitions between locations and schools can make fitting in difficult, and finding friends for these students can also feel overwhelming.
In view of this, four Cedarville University English majors want to help transfer students with the process of adjusting to campus life by hosting a game night Friday, April 16 from 7-9 p.m. The event will be held in the Center for Biblical and Theological Studies, room 101.
Kaylee Hunt, a senior from Wayne, New Jersey; Elly Watkins, a junior from Cedarville, Ohio; Katie Korwan, a junior from Westford, Massachusetts; and Ashley Gosman, a senior from Madison, Indiana came up with the event idea based on their own experiences. Hunt and Watkins transferred to Cedarville from other institutions, and Korwan and Gosman transferred to the English major from different departments.
Though late in this current semester, the group is looking forward to how this event could be the beginning of a longer-term effort to care for and integrate transfer students into the Cedarville community.
The four students feel passionate about helping develop a welcoming environment for transfer students, who may struggle to find their place when adjusting to campus life.
“The concept is getting current transfer students together to have a game night, listen to music, and essentially just create a night of fellowship for transfer students,” Hunt said. “We want them to feel seen and to help them find friends who understand what it’s like to be a transfer student.”
“I don’t think there’s ever been an event for transfer students like this, so it’s exciting that this could be a starting point for the future,” Hunt added.
The girls have also created a Facebook page for Cedarville transfer students in conjunction with the office of admissions. Hayley Hasty, assistant director of admissions for transfer students, has come alongside the girls in this process to both make and maintain the Facebook page. They’re excitedly anticipating how it will connect current and future transfer students in the years to come.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,550 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio, recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, including the Bachelor of Arts in English program, strong graduation, and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and high student engagement ranking. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.