NTSW - Student Stories
Are you a UNM transfer student or transition student to UNM-Albuquerque from a different UNM campus? Would you like to share your story here on this website? If so, please fill out this form: https://goto.unm.edu/transferstories and we'll highlight your story on this website as an inspiration to future transfer students.
Dante Olivas (he/him)
Hometown: Albuquerque, NM
Major: Sociology & Xicanx Studies
School/College: Arts & Sciences
Transfer Institution: CNM
Graduation: Fall 2022
What helped in making your transfer or transition successful?
How did you overcome any challenges during your transfer or transition?
Words of wisdom for future transfer students:
Don't be afraid to ask questions. No one does this alone and there are many people who are more than willing to help you get where you need and want to be.
Arwen Lynch-Poe (she/her)

Hometown: Monroe, LA
Major: History
School/College: Arts & Sciences
Transfer Institution: Centenary College of Louisiana
Graduation: Spring 2025
What helped in making your transfer or transition successful?
I found the orientation very useful. Also, the students here at UNM are amazingly kind to me. I tend to get lost very easily due to a cognitive issue. I've been asked if I need help and if I ask, I always get a positive response.
How did you overcome any challenges during your transfer or transition?
Words of wisdom for future transfer students:
Never doubt yourself. You are enough and you can do this. Seek joy, y'all!
Alexander Pulido

Hometown: Big Sur, CA
Major: Political Science
School/College: Arts & Sciences
Transfer Institution: Portland Community College
Graduation: Spring 2023
What helped in making your transfer or transition successful?
A generous scholarship offer from the University of New Mexico was crucial in helping to make my transfer successful. Supporting a low-income student such as myself is best done through financial assistance. With that covered, I was able to focus on academics.
How did you overcome any challenges during your transfer or transition?
There were plenty of helpful staff at the University of New Mexico who pointed me in the right direction no matter the topic or issue.
Words of wisdom for future transfer students:
Unless you are dead-set on a specific school or program (or if you are well off financially), I recommend seeking out and taking the best scholarship offer wherever that might be. At this stage in your life, you are flexible, adaptable, and have more time than money. Focus on the financials. This means research cost of living in the different areas you are looking to go to school. This will be immensely helpful.
Yessenia Perez Garcia (she/her/hers)
Hometown: Albuquerque
Major: Psychology
School/College: Arts & Sciences
Transfer Institution: CNM
Graduation: Spring 2024
What helped in making your transfer or transition successful?
Attending an orientation, and going to student-led events.
How did you overcome any challenges during your transfer or transition?
I overcame it by talking about them to other transfer students.
Words of wisdom for future transfer students:
Go to the events that UNM holds in order to make special friends and have a great time!
Tous Young (he/him/his)
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Major: Business Administration
School/College: Anderson Schools of Management
Transfer Institution: Harvard U & Nova Southeastern Univ
Graduation: Spring 2023
What helped in making your transfer or transition successful?
How did you overcome any challenges during your transfer or transition?
Words of wisdom for future transfer students:
It all starts with transfer orientation. The group that facilitates that needs special recognition for laying out almost everything that a student needs or will need while attending UNM. Don't be afraid to reach out and ask for help. The administration and faculty, as well as the student body can help you with whatever the need or answer whatever the question. It's just like research, you have to dig sometimes but it's worth it in the end.
Shawna Filfred (she/her/hers)

Hometown: Pine Hill, NM
Major: Biology
School/College: Arts & Sciences
Transfer Institution: Central New Mexico Community College (CNM)
Graduation: Spring 2024
What helped in making your transfer or transition successful?
The relationship between CNM and UNM made my transition successful. I received emails through CNM about UNM transfer day events and workshops. It was just a matter of reaching out and attending. The UNM admissions office was also very clear on documents needed and deadlines.
How did you overcome any challenges during your transfer or transition?
Words of wisdom for future transfer students:
Familiarize yourself with all of the resources available at UNM, everyone is here to help you.
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What helped in making your transfer or transition successful?
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How did you overcome any challenges during your transfer or transition?
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Words of wisdom for future transfer students:
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Name of Student
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What helped in making your transfer or transition successful?
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How did you overcome any challenges during your transfer or transition?
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Words of wisdom for future transfer students:
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