News Detail

A record number of Transfer Buddy volunteers committed to Transfer Connect programming during the fall semester to help new transfer students acclimate to campus. A total of 47 volunteers welcomed approximately 900 new transfer students to SUNY Cortland.

Transfer Connect is a series of educational and social programs offered each semester through Advisement and Transition. Before the first day of classes, events include a Transfer Takeoff social gathering, class-finding tours, a welcome barbecue and registration preparation and guidance. Other initiatives include a one-credit seminar course, COR 201: Enhancing the Transfer Experience.

Returning transfer students can apply to serve as a Transfer Buddy. Advisement and Transition is now accepting applications for transfer buddy volunteers for the spring semester.

“The goal of the Transfer Connect Program is to make the new students’ transitions smooth and successful,” said Emily Quinlan, coordinator of Transfer Student Services. “Transfer Buddy volunteers are critical to the success of the program, making initial contact with new students before the first day of class and offering support as needed throughout the transition. Offering peer-to-peer communication has been a successful way to connect new transfers with each other and to assist them to feel more at ease.”

Quinlan is most impressed with the increasing number of returning transfer students who both volunteer each semester to be a Buddy, and who also remain with the program for multiple terms.

“It is essential to acknowledge these students for their commitment and volunteerism to helping new transfers and for the positive impact they have made,” Quinlan said.

Fall 2015 Transfer Buddy volunteers include: Josue Acosta, Kimberly Adiyia, Rachel Bayer, Nicole Boyle-Hulick, Juliana Brisco, Alyssa Burke, Sarah Carlisi, Caitlin Chandler, Lisa Dent, Kristen Desouza, Tina Ditommaso, Samantha Eisner, Ashley Eklund, Chrysta Elliot, Amanda Fuller, Cassandra Hehl, Andrea Hesse, Maddison Hickey, Shelby Hoffman, Alondra Hughes, Saige Hupman, Paul Kavanagh, Shannon Lombardi, Christina Losier, Brittany Losito, Jelena Lukovic, Taylor Lynch, Shalini Mahon, Stephanie Malerba, Michael Marchese, Cody Marshall, Brianna Mayo, Katelyn Meyer, Brittany Oliva, Kathleen Peek, Kirsty Pickering, Gabrielle Ponessa, Emily Poole, Lindsay Pope, Daniel Puchalski, Steven Rathjen, Nicole Reese, Amanda Sacca, Coleston Scheik, Elise Sedlacek, Ivy Senke Starowicz, Tatiana Smith, Jenna Sterling, Trevon Stevens, Nicole Sullivan, Brianna Tart Taylor, Katrina Urbanik, Shannon VanShufflin, Alexandra Wean, Nicole Wendel, Sara Wessels and Ceara Williams.