This week, Florida A&M University is celebrating National Transfer Student Week in honor of the academic excellence, passion, and service transfer students bring to campus.
Transfer students make up about 5% percent of undergraduate students on campus. While most students come from the local feeder program with Tallahassee Community College, many choose FAMU after attending various colleges and universities all over the country.
Shantress Allen, a fourth-year English education major from Orlando, transferred from Southern University in the fall of 2020. Since her matriculation at the university, Allen has gotten involved with various organizations on campus. Allen serves as Transfer Student Association President, Orange and Green Tour Guide, Peer Mentor, and is an active member of Tau Sigma Transfer National Honor Society and National Council of Negro Women.
“I think because FAMU is such a big school, giving transfer students a space to get involved and meet new people is important,” Allen said. “By joining TSA you can familiarize yourself with the process of clubs and organizations.”
Nathan Bryan-Lewis, former TSA President and Mr. TSA, recalls the importance of getting involved and the impact TSA had on his FAMU experience.
“TSA is the first club any transfer student can join and it’s a hub for joining other organizations such as Divine Nine and Student Government Association. Everywhere you go you will see TSA representation there,” Bryan Lewis said. “My favorite part of TSA was getting to serve and network with other students.”
TSA is often known as “just the beginning” of all the great accolades transfer students accomplish after coming on campus.
Transfer student organizations such as Transfer Student Association, Transfer Academic Success Program, and the Undergraduate Student Success Center, have all come together to host a week of events to get students involved. The week is aimed to make transfer students feel more welcome on campus.
Justin Smith, a third-year business administration student from Tallahassee, transferred to FAMU this semester from Chowan University. In his short time here, he has already gotten involved with clubs on campus and plans to attend transfer student week events.
“I think organizations like TSA are important to help us transfer students who come in from different schools and meet new people. I plan to go to some of the events this week to make more friends and get involved on campus,” Smith said.
Additionally, Smith already thoroughly sees the true ”FAMUly” aspect he expected coming to FAMU, as it exceeded his expectations and encourages others to get involved as well.
“If anything, I’d for sure say the “FAMUly” at FAMU is real. Compared to my old school I can now be cool with everyone and everyone essentially looks out for everyone,” Smith said.
FAMU TSA membership application portal opens Oct. 19 and will be open through Nov. 3. The club plans to have its first general body meeting in the coming weeks and encourages all transfer students to participate in the week of events and join the club.