Pierce College students gathered with family and friends for Drive-thru Transfer Celebration where students received their Platinum Transfer Honor cord, goody bags and had their photos taken with their upcoming university banner.
Students also wrote words of wisdom on cards to post in the Transfer Center to encourage Brahma students who will transfer in the future.
Transfer Center Director Sunday Salter said that the students have worked hard to transfer to their desired universities, and this event was held to honor them and how far they’ve come.
“It is no easy task,” Salter said. “It is a maze if you will, for them to work during the pandemic and come through the other side with certifications for General Ed and many of them have degrees at Pierce. Now they’re moving onto their university for their next dream to get their bachelor’s degree.”
Elizabeth Galadjian, a mentor and intern at the Transfer Center, explained the importance of the celebration.
“It helps give closure to the students that are transferring from Pierce to the next step on their journey, so it’s celebrating all of their accomplishments up until this point,” Galadjian said. “Especially with the pandemic it’s even more important to celebrate these students, because it was even more difficult to venture through this journey in such a difficult time.”
Bryan Herrera said he is transferring to California State University, Northridge (CSUN).
“I’m very excited,” Herrera said. “I’m transferring as a criminal justice major, and my goal is to help people who are formerly incarcerated get their life together. A professor that really helped me through my journey at Pierce was professor Joanna Carcamo.”
Zaki Katibah, who is transferring to California Polytechnic University San Luis Obispo (SLO), is majoring in civil engineering.
“My journey to get here has been a little bumpy, but SLO has been my number one choice for a while,” Katibah said. “I wanted to go there because they have a hands-on approach with learning and with my STEM major I think it’s really important. So I’m hoping to figure out what I want to do with my degree when I get there.”
Transfer student Maritza Zamora will continue her education in psychology and a minor in child development at CSUN. She said that her son is her inspiration behind her educational goals.
“I just want to be able to help other children who are in need, because not every child has a good home,” Zamora said.
Andrew Chavez, a kinesiology major who is transferring to CSUN, said that Pierce has been helpful with pursuing a career in physical therapy.
“I want to use my degree to possibly be a physical therapist or something in that realm,” Chavez said. “I’ve played sports my whole life.”
