Written by: Jeanine Horio, Transfer Jacks Peer Mentor
Another Fall semester has come and gone and once again, the Transfer Jacks team is saying goodbye to the team’s graduating seniors, both current and former mentors. Transfer Jacks is very lucky to have been able to work with these wonderful individuals during their time as a Lumberjack. Our seniors were recognized for all they have done for Transfer Jacks with a medallion to wear at graduation. We want to take the time to recognize our four graduating seniors for all of their hard work and dedication to their education and congratulate them on graduating!
Yendira Pineda is a Senior Peer Mentor on the Transfer Jacks team. She will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Management, and a minor in Psychology. Yendira transferred to NAU in Fall 2020 from Estrella Mountain Community College. She has been a part of the Transfer Jacks team since Fall 2021. Yendira became a peer mentor because she did not want others to feel alone like how she did. “When you transfer over to a new setting, it takes time to adjust, find your people, and where you fit. I wanted to make people feel welcomed and belong.” Being a peer mentor gave Yendira the opportunity to learn more about other’s stories and backgrounds and how she could better support them. “I wanted people to know that they could always count on me.” Her favorite memory working with Transfer Jacks is the Welcome Event hosted for new transfer students. “It’s the opportunity to meet with our mentees and become familiar with one another. We also get to have some fun and be carefree shortly before settling in for classes.” Since being at NAU, Yendira has joined the Disney Club, which has helped her cope with feeling lonely and gave her the chance to bond with other students that shared the interest of Disney with her. Yendira’s favorite memory of being a Lumberjack was experiencing snow when she first transferred. “I’ve seen snow before but way back when I was younger, so I had no recollection. Being able to experience it for the first time in a long time was just pure bliss. Not to mention the amount of fun I had in the snowball fight amongst other people in my apartment building.” Before signing out from the team, Yendira has some advice she would like to share with future Transfer Jacks: “You don’t have to face this transition alone. There are people and resources out there, especially the Transfer Jacks team, who go above and beyond to ensure you’re successful, happy, and having the best time while at NAU.”
Cat Campos is a former Transfer Jacks Peer Mentor. They will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education, Secondary Education, History, and a minor in Ethnic Studies. Cat transferred to NAU from Cal Poly Humboldt and was a part of the Transfer Jacks team from Summer 2020 to Spring 2022. They became a peer mentor because their transfer mentor made them feel more comfortable at a school they were completely alien to. “He was one of my first friends at NAU and would personally make sure I was okay emotionally as it was a rough transition. I wanted to give other transfer students the same positive experience that I had.” Cat’s favorite memory working with Transfer Jacks is participating in a community service event at Willow Bend, where they helped with gardening. The Transfer Jacks Welcome Event is another favorite memory for Cat. Originally being from Los Angeles, one of Cat’s favorite memories is experiencing snowfall for the first time. “It definitely took me a while to get used to the weather, but it ultimately made me fall in love with school.” Cat mentions that transferring to a new school when you aren’t a freshman can be scary and nerve-wracking since many students have already had a year to form their own identities and friend groups. They would like to share some advice about transferring to future Transfer Jacks: “Do not let this fear stop you from being yourself and finding your place at NAU because no matter what, you do have a place somewhere and you will have an impact on the people around you. Whether it’s by making friends on your own in classes and clubs or by joining a community like Transfer Jacks, you will be welcomed.” Cat would like to thank the friends and family they made at NAU. “I would not have been able to do this without y’all and I will never forget the home I have made here.”
We would also like to recognize former Transfer Jacks Peer Mentors Brynn Merz and Faith Novak. Brynn will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, Public Health, and a minor in Psychology. Faith will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice and minors in Psychology, Anthropology, and Social Science Forensics. Both Brynn and Faith joined the Transfer Jacks team in Fall 2021 and spent one year on the team. We are forever grateful for all that they have done for the Transfer Jacks Program.
Congratulations to all of our graduating seniors. We wish them nothing but the best on their future endeavors and we cannot wait to see what they will accomplish in the future.