Transfer Success Stories - July 2021
Roldolfo (Rudy) Medina
Transfer School:
University of California, Irvine
Transfer Major:
Psychology
What term/year did you transfer?
Spring 2015
What kinds of activities and/or programs did you participate in at Cerritos College?
I was part of the psychology and philosophy clubs on campus. In addition, I also completed the Mental Health Worker program while attending Cerritos College. After I transferred to UCI, I had the great pleasure of being one of Dr. Kimberly Duff's teaching assistants for two semesters.
What activities and/or programs did you participate in at the university?
While at UCI, I was part of the ACCESS program (currently ACE Social Ecology); first as a mentee, and then I had the honor to serve as a mentor. ACE Social Ecology is a retention and peer mentoring program in the School of Social Ecology at UC Irvine. The program promotes academic excellence, leadership development, and community engagement to serve the school’s diverse, first-year and transfer student population. I was also part of three different research labs and I volunteered at UCI's Dream Center (which serves undocumented students).
Words of wisdom for future transfer students:
Make connections from the start by getting involved in campus programs. Reach out to your university's transfer center or admissions office for information regarding peer mentoring programs and/or mentoring programs in general. By getting involved in campus programs, you will be able to meet faculty members and form new social relationships; which will help increase your chances of academic success, and sense of belonging to the university.
Career and future goals:
Currently, I am a graduate student in the Psychological Science PhD program at UCI, and I am about to complete my first year in the program. I am currently investigating first-generation college students' motivations in academia, intergenerational transmission of cultural values, and social mobility. My long-term goal is to continue my career in academia, and teach at a university or community college.
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