For transfer students arriving at Chico State, the first semester can feel like being a freshman all over again, but without the welcome events or built-in support systems designed to help students find their footing. The new Transfer Year Experience aims to change that.
Undergraduate transfer students make up about 13% of the student population at Chico State, yet many arrive without the same orientation structure or community-building opportunities typically offered to first-year freshmen. The TYE program was created to provide resources and support specifically designed for students transferring from community colleges or other universities.
Transfer students must adapt to a new campus environment, including different academic systems, registration platforms and advising structures.
When Elsa Lewis transferred to Chico State from Yuba College, she attended events to try and find her place within the university. But found that those events were geared toward freshmen, making her feel even more isolated in a university of almost 15,000 people.
“My first semester here was really rough, having to adjust to a new university after transferring,” Lewis said. “It would have been nice to have a program specifically for people like me to get more information and make connections with other transfer students.”
Chico State developed the TYE program to address some of the challenges transfer students encounter when transitioning to the university. The program operates with the First Year Experience but focuses specifically on the needs of transfer students.
Lewis said she attended campus events during her first semester, but found that many were mostly focused on freshmen. “I was going to on-campus events trying to ‘get out there,’ but those are totally geared toward freshmen — who already have their friend groups.”
Jordan Johnson, a TYE intern and transfer student from Yuba College, said the program provides both academic and social resources.
“The kind of gaps Transfer Year Experience hopes to fill are both academic and social,” he said. “On the academic side, we help prepare students for their careers through workshops, scholarship support or just having someone they can talk to for academic guidance. Socially, we have an office inside the library where transfer students can come hang out and meet other students.”
Johnson’s role within the program includes developing online resources and helping to promote it to transfer students.
“One of the main reasons I’m part of Transfer Year Experience is because I wanted to put my time toward something meaningful,” Johnson said.
The program also aims to centralize information and services related to transfer student support. According to Johnson, future goals include connecting workshops, events and online materials into a single hub that students can easily access.
“The future of Transfer Year Experience is becoming the primary resource transfer students look to, whether they’re incoming, current or even graduating,” Johnson said. “We want all the resources connected in one place and to continue offering workshops, events and activities so students can thrive academically and socially.”
Marissa Hart, another TYE intern and junior who transferred from Butte College, said differences between community college systems and university systems can create confusion for transfer students.
“The part where I felt I lacked support was mostly in the registration process and academic advising,” Hart said. “They sometimes assume you already know how everything works, but the systems are very different.”
Registration systems, advising structures and course naming conventions can vary between institutions. Transfer students may need to learn how to interpret degree audits, understand prerequisite requirements and determine which courses align with their major and graduation timeline.
Transfer Year Experience provides workshops and informational sessions designed to help students navigate these systems. The program also shares information about campus resources, financial aid and scholarships.
According to Hart, one initiative currently in development is a Canvas module specifically for transfer students.
“We’re developing a Canvas page for transfer students, so when they come in for orientation, they immediately have access to resources like academic advising and campus support services,” Hart said.
The program has, in the past, hosted various workshops to bridge the gap in knowledge about scholarships, technology available at the Meriam Library and other welcome events aimed at creating a seamless transition for incoming transfer students to feel like Wildcats.
Additional initiatives are also being developed. A Transfer Student Club is expected to launch in Spring 2026 and is intended to provide an opportunity for transfer students to meet and connect with peers.
“We’re hoping that once the club is established, transfer students can meet, make connections and build relationships together,” Hart said.
The Transfer Student Lounge, located in Meriam Library 208, is available for transfer and undeclared students who want a place to study, meet others or access program resources.
The Transfer Year Experience program, led by program director Sue Peterson, provides resources and programming for Chico State students.
For information about the Transfer Year Experience and to stay up to date on upcoming events, visit the TYE website and Instagram for recent updates, or swing by the lounge dedicated to transfer and undeclared students.
Merri Shiger can be reached at [email protected]
