To start the fall semester, about 25 new transfer students from 24 schools in 11 states and 5 countries gathered in the BioCommons to learn about life at UW–Madison—and make some new friends in the process. This was WISCIENCE’s STEM Transfer Immersion program, running again for the first time since 2022.
WISCIENCE launched the STEM Transfer Immersion program in 2019 as part of the HHMI Inclusive Excellence Grant “Beyond Access to Success: Creating Flexible Pathways to STEM Degrees for Transfer Students in Wisconsin.” The goal was to create an opportunity for new transfer students in STEM majors to build community and get resources to support their transition to UW–Madison. The program went through several iterations—both online and hybrid—in an effort to meet transfer students needs and navigate COVID-related restrictions. This year, WISCIENCE was able to revitalize the program and create a new position, Assistant Director of STEM Student Engagement, to oversee it. Sarah Sweger was hired in April 2024 to fill this role, and she promptly rolled up her sleeves to restart the program.
To do so, Sweger compiled a list of newly matriculating STEM transfer students for direct outreach, met with current transfer students to better understand their experiences and what resources would have been helpful in their transitions, and began building partnerships with other support offices on campus. After working for months behind the scenes to organize and promote the event, Sweger had the revitalized STEM Transfer Immersion ready for prime time.
Students began the day with a welcome from Sweger as well as rising senior Valeria Diaz Moreno, a Transfer STEM Immersion Peer Leader who was a transfer student herself. Students learned tips for a successful transition from Shelby Knuth, Assistant Director of Transfer Engagement with TTP. They also heard about ways to utilize Greater University Tutoring Services (GUTS) for academic success from Caitlin Farrell Haven, Assistant Director of Learning Support at OACS, and Abbigail Hickman, Operations Coordinator at GUTS. A walking campus tour had to be replaced with a virtual tour due to excessive heat and lightning—yet still provided a useful overview of campus highlights and how to get around.
Students had plenty of opportunities to build community and get to know one another. The day began with a game of Icebreaker BINGO, which got everyone mingling, chatting, and laughing as they tried to find out who enjoys cooking, plays a musical instrument, or moved here from another state. At lunchtime, students in similar majors sat together, joined by current students in the same fields who answered questions and shared their own experiences. Everyone finished the day at Memorial Union, where they created mosaic frames at Wheelhouse Studios and got free ice cream at the Daily Scoop.
“After a summer of planning, I was really excited to get to meet some of our transfer students in person,” says Sarah Sweger. “I could not be happier with the turn out, the wonderful presentations from our partners, and how engaged the participants were. You could really see the students connecting with each other. I’m thrilled to continue helping them build community and find their fit at UW–Madison throughout the academic year!”
One participant said of their experience, “I love how I was able to meet people who are not only transfers but also STEM majors. I think a lot of the information and activities were really helpful!”
Learn more about the Transfer STEM Immersion Program.