STOMP transfer frustrations away

More than 1,000 California community college students will be attending the annual UCLA STOMP Conference on April 28.

The event will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bus transportation for Pierce will leave at 7 a.m. The Career and Transfer Center (CTC) encourages students to attend the mass conference where representatives of the nine UC’s will be present.

According to Transfer Center Director Sunday Salter, even if students are not contemplating transferring to a UC it is inspirational and beneficial to be at the conference.

“We’ve had so many students go to this event, who were never thinking about a UC, leave there 100 percent sure they’re applying to a UC,” Salter said.

Participants will hear motivational messages from UCLA speakers and have a tour of the campus. They will also have an opportunity to engage the speakers at a UC Panel and Resource Fair.

Students can choose from a variety of workshops that introduce them to culturally relevant resources and information, including admission presentations, financial aid and scholarships, and other transfer student resources, with admission representatives available for support.

Mentors will be available to guide students and may remain in touch with them for any additional help after the conference.

The STOMP Conference is one of many events the CTC urges students to attend. Guidance Counselor Assistant Rosa Medrano encourages all students to visit the center in the Student Services Building for help.

“We have mentors here to help you with any help you can think of for college admission, whether you’re applying to private, out-of-state schools, UCs, and CSUs,” Medrano said. “Even for students who are now transferring and are coming up with questions, let’s say CSUN will ask you to do something on your portal, we can help you log in to your portal and do everything on your to-do list.”

Jacqueline Flores, history major, will be transferring to CSUN next semester. Although she admits she never visited the CTC during her time at Pierce, she urges other students to go to save time and have a clear idea of what classes to take.

“I’ve never been to the Transfer Center, sadly,” Flores said. “I would encourage other students to go to have a better sense of where they want to go career and school wise. I would’ve saved more time and transferred sooner if I did that.”

Students interested in attending the STOMP Conference are still able to RSVP until Thursday at the CTC in the Student Services Building.

Students who miss this deadline can show up outside of the Student Services Building at the drop-off and pick-up roundabout at 6:45 a.m., the day of the event, to be added given openings are still available.