Written by Dom Moreno, Transfer Jacks Peer Mentor
Transferring from one school to another can be an incredibly overwhelming experience. From navigating campus to meeting new people, there’s a lot to learn! No one knows this better than our Transfer Peer Mentors! All having at least one year under their belt here at NAU, our team is well equipped to help you navigate this big change. We asked each of our mentors to answer a few questions to help you get to know them!
Brooke Hoeltge (she/her/hers)
What is your major?
Communications studies, with a minor in ethnic studies.
Where do you have transfer credits from?
University of Oregon.
What was the hardest part of transferring for you personally? What did you do to overcome this?
Navigating Louie, I was able to conquer it with the help of my mentor last year and my friends that I made at NAU.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I am a black belt in Mixed Martial Arts.
Megan Greenspan (she/her/hers)
What is your major?
Psychological Sciences with minors in Queer Studies, Women’s and Gender Studies, and Social Work.
Where do you have transfer credits from?
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
What was the hardest part of transferring for you personally? What did you do to overcome this?
Moving so far from home. I am originally from South Dakota and was only a 10 hour drive from my old school. NAU is 18 hours away from home, and I had only been to AZ once before transferring and never to campus, so taking that jump being so unfamiliar with it all was a little intimidating. I really overcame this by throwing myself into different activities. I was in the music program last year and having marching band there really helped me build a lot of friendships and social support so I didn’t feel so out of place. Having the transfer program available really helped me adjust to campus and NAU overall. I also found myself really trying to get to know outside of campus well and feel comfortable making Flagstaff my “home away from home”.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I love flowers and creating floral arrangements!
Lorissa Olson (she/her/hers)
What is your major?
Art Education.
Where do you have transfer credits from?
Estrella Mountain Community College
What was the hardest part of transferring for you personally? What did you do to overcome this?
The hardest part about transferring for me was making friends. I was really shy at first but I started to meet people in my cohort and now have some really amazing friends.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I love rock climbing in my free time! 🙂
Amina Prado (they/them/theirs)
What is your major?
Early Childhood Education & Special Education
Where do you have transfer credits from?
Mira Costa College – Oceanside, California
What was the hardest part of transferring for you personally? What did you do to overcome this?
The culture shock. NAU is predominantly white, so it was really interesting and hard to meet people that don’t look like me or identify themselves like me. I was able to meet a lot of people that I got along with when I started going to clubs and hanging out with people outside of those clubs.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I’ve been a vegetarian for 8 years!
Lydia Brown (she/her/hers)
What is your major?
Elementary Education
Where do you have transfer credits from?
Central Arizona College (Coolidge, AZ)
What was the hardest part of transferring for you personally? What did you do to overcome this?
I found it hard to adjust to the new environment. I was in a new place with people I didn’t know and I felt out of place for the longest time. I overcame these challenges by getting involved on campus. I pushed myself to go to events, join clubs and organizations like the marching band and honor societies, and talk to others in my classes to form connections. This ultimately helped me to feel more connected with the NAU community and gain the friendships I have today!
What’s a fun fact about you?
I was born at 12:34 PM (1,2,3,4!)
Jesus R. Moreno (he/him/his)
What is your major?
Philosophy.
Where do you have transfer credits from?
Cochise College.
What was the hardest part of transferring for you personally? What did you do to overcome this?
I guess the big challenge was coming from a small town where most people knew each other. Coming to Flagstaff, a bigger town by far, it felt a bit lonely and impersonal. It wasn’t till the end of the year that my partner and I decided to take some chances and make friends. I’d say that stepping outside your comfort zone even if its scary is healthy and leads to growth.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I played the trumpet from middle school up until my first year of high school, I was then put into choir by the same music teacher.
Arrajanee Rivera (she/her/hers)
What is your major?
Creative Media & Film Minor in Theater.
Where do you have transfer credits from?
Estrella Mountain Community College.
What was the hardest part of transferring for you personally? What did you do to overcome this?
I transferred to NAU in 2020 so the hardest part of transferring was having to transfer to a whole new city during a pandemic. I was severely isolated and home sick. I decided to go home to do school remotely. After my second semester of remote learning I decided to take a year off to reevaluate my goals. I ended up returning to NAU Fall 2022. This time around I made sure to get involved to avoid being isolated. At first I went to random events and club meetings that sounded interesting. Now I’m involved with over four clubs and organizations.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I love music and dancing.
Cara J. Popa (she/her/they/them)
What is your major?
Criminology/Parks & Recreation.
Where do you have transfer credits from?
Maricopa community college system, mostly Estrella Mountain!
What was the hardest part of transferring for you personally? What did you do to overcome this?
One of my biggest challenges during my transfer was figuring out how to put all my credits together in a way that both made sense and was easily accessible when I or my advisors needed it. Having come from the Maricopa Community College system, which is made up of half a dozen different schools, I had to get documentation from the four I attended in order to transfer as much as I could. It took a lot of appointments and visiting the various academic advisors at the different schools, which really made my schedule hectic! Thankfully, after I had gotten my associate degrees, everything fell into place and I got everything in order as it was easier to show the credits when they were tied to my degrees. After my various appointments, I was able to bring the documents (such as class lists and grades) to my home advisor at EMCC to condense into one single transcript that I could bring to NAU. In short, I couldn’t have done it alone!
What’s a fun fact about you?
I’m a curiosity collector and love all things strange and unique – from old medical supplies, bones, stones, bugs, pelts and more. Things from nature intrigue me and I enjoy displaying them in my home.
Dom Moreno (they/them/theirs)
What is your major?
Creative Writing with an emphasis on fiction, as well as a minor in Classics.
Where do you have transfer credits from?
Chandler Gilbert Community College.
What was the hardest part of transferring for you personally? What did you do to overcome this?
The hardest part of transferring for me was working up the courage to talk to the people around me and make new friends. I am a naturally shy person and it took me a while to really come out of my shell at first, but after meeting other people in my major I felt much more comfortable.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I have a metal plate and 7 screws in my right forearm!
Marinca Faimau (she/her/hers)
What is your major?
Biomedical Science.
Where do you have transfer credits from?
Eastern Oregon University.
What was the hardest part of transferring for you personally? What did you do to overcome this?
During my transition, the most challenging part was finding a community where I felt I belonged and forming new connections. It wasn’t easy to find the appropriate resources and individuals to confide in, especially given my unique background involving citizenship and eligibility status. Explaining my situation and seeking assistance was a challenge. However, I managed to overcome this situation by candidly discussing my status with authoritative figures, helping them understand my unique circumstances, and determining my eligibility accordingly which allowed others from other departments to know about my situation.
Moreover, I actively participated in various campus events, clubs, and SI sessions, which helped me to meet new people and make new friends. As a result, I was able to form a connection with my current best friend, who has been a great support for me.
Furthermore, I became a member of the Transfer and Online Connections program to provide support to fellow students facing comparable challenges. As an underrepresented minority, my goal is to serve as a spokesperson and a cheerleader for students, ensuring that their voices are not only heard but also valued.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I speak 3 languages (Native Palauan, Japanese, and English). I love spending my free time watching movies, playing board games, and going out to coffee shops to read a book/plan my week. My favorite Starbucks order is an iced matcha latte with oat milk and a shot of blonde espresso. I am also an undergraduate researcher.
Lauren Eisele-Yocum (they/them/theirs)
What is your major?
Environmental Science with a Biology emphasis and a minor in Studio Art.
Where do you have transfer credits from?
Willamette University
What was the hardest part of transferring for you personally? What did you do to overcome this?
The hardest part of transferring was leaving behind my swim team and the friends that I made at Willamette. That being said, I have found lifelong friends and an incredibly supportive community here in Flagstaff and at NAU.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I was a Wildland Firefighter stationed out of Montana and Northern Idaho for 3 years.
Sasha Lynette (she/her/hers)
What is your major?
Parks and Recreation Management.
Where do you have transfer credits from?
University of Portland.
What was the hardest part of transferring for you personally? What did you do to overcome this?
Moving to a new state and transitioning to a new academic environment can be a bit overwhelming. Personally, my initial challenges revolved around finding my way around campus and getting the hang of the various online tools my professors used. Fortunately, I had the ultimate wing-person in my Transfer Peer Mentor. Right from the beginning, my mentor made me feel super welcome and was a friendly guide who helped me ease into the virtual learning scene, especially with those online platforms like Top Hat and Blackboard Learn. What I appreciated most was that she was also there to just chat with or go to when I wasn’t quite sure whom to direct questions to. Attending different campus events as well as transfer events allowed me to explore more of campus and connect with some really fantastic people who remain close friends. Plus, with events happening regularly, they were a perfect excuse to get outside and engage with other people.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I recently learned how to make balloon animals!
Milford Begay (he/him/his)
What is your major?
Civil Engineering.
Where do you have transfer credits from?
Dine College.
What was the hardest part of transferring for you personally? What did you do to overcome this?
Moving from a rural area to Flagstaff. I went from having completely quiet nights to being woken up by traffic outside my window. It took some time to adjust but soon I was able to embrace the positives of being in a larger town than I was used to.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I have farmed and grown corn, potatoes, and other plants when I was a kid.
Cora Brown (she/her/hers)
What is your major?
Economics with a minor in political science.
Where do you have transfer credits from?
Truckee Meadow Community College.
What was the hardest part of transferring for you personally? What did you do to overcome this?
My hardest experience with coming here was showing up during COVID, which isolated me from resources or guidance. I ended up having to figure out a lot of stuff of my own but managed to make it work.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I have a cat named Dido.
Ashli Coston (she/her/hers)
What is your major?
Psychological sciences major and criminal justice minor.
Where do you have transfer credits from?
I have transfer credit from Bakersfield Community College ( I am not considered a transfer student but I did do community college).
What was the hardest part of transferring for you personally? What did you do to overcome this?
Homesickness hit me really hard because of moving from California to Arizona. The only way I overcame homesickness was really just reaching out to my family and calling them all the time. I didn’t have a car and couldn’t afford plane tickets so I was honestly stuck from ever going home which was probably good for me in the long run. Not being able to run home when things got difficult made me stronger and more resilient as I had to rely on myself and myself alone to get through those hard times. During my second semester with even less breaks for holidays where my family would come see me or take me home was even harder. Luckily, I had awesome parents who sent me care packages or letters with encouraging notes that I have kept ever since. It gets easier, but missing your family is definitely a shared experience and simply calling and texting and staying in contact was the best way for me to stay connected, and cherishing anytime I do get to see my family is super important to me 🙂
What’s a fun fact about you?
I used to breed pigs and learned how to deliver piglets. I delivered a litter of 14 piglets by myself!
Get in Touch!
Our Transfer Mentors have been working hard so far this semester to support you! Whether you have already met with your mentor or have yet to set up an appointment we would love to hear from you! Here are the links to schedule an appointment with your mentor as well as our event schedule on True Blue Connects: