Transfer Student Spotlight

Ariel Morales

What brought you to Cal State Ģ��Ƶ?
When I was researching about this university it was more about the diversity, events and networking. I’ve also made a lot friends and the faculty is very friendly. Any concerns I had when transferring or about the resources East Bay had to offer, the faculty was always there to help.

Are you involved with anything on campus? (IE: Student assistant positions, a part of a Recognized Student Organization, in a program, etc.) How have they contributed to your personal and professional growth?
Tau Kappa Epsilon gave me opportunity for scholarship and connection when I first transferred. They opened my mind to seeing more than just being a student. After participating in events I have been more involved in school activities, have more school spirit and supporting the people I meet.

What advice can you give someone transferring to Cal State Ģ��Ƶ?
Do not be scared to get out there and meet new people. Come in to school with a positive mind and make connections with people around you when you need help. Échale ganas a todo que tienes en la escuela.

Gabrielle Barnes

What brought you to Cal State Ģ��Ƶ?
It’s close to home has amazing diversity and my mom graduated from here back when it was still called Cal State Hayward

Are you involved with anything on campus? (IE: Student assistant positions, a part of a Recognized Student Organization, in a program, etc.) How have they contributed to your personal and professional growth?
I am on the Baydolls cheer team and I recently became a student assistant in the STEM Lab, and that really helped me with confidence and meeting new people. Being involved with campus events and helped me not just go to school and then leave. I have gotten to step outside my comfort zone and really make my experience at Ģ��Ƶ my own.

What advice can you give someone transferring to Cal State Ģ��Ƶ?
My advice is to go to on campus events if you have time, go to tabling join an RSO you never know what you might find. Talk to the people in your class they might be in a club or have a job on campus that you might like to join or be interested in and then you already have one person you know will go to the meetings with you.

Saim Waqas

What brought you to Cal State Ģ��Ƶ?

I was brought to Cal State Ģ��Ƶ because I needed somewhere that is both close by home and somewhere that can accommodate my needs for the goals that I have. I want to be the best MMA fighter on the planet but attending university is mandatory due to my housing situation so I figured I’d find a school that still offers great opportunities with a good campus and decent student life where I can still train daily and commute to with ease.

What are you involved in on campus (IE: Clubs, student organizations etc.)? How have they contributed to your personal and professional growth?

I’m involved in the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Meeting these brothers was an amazing experience because it lead me to meet even more amazing people along the way as well as pave the door for both on campus job opportunities and potential sponsorships for my amateur and professional MMA career. I’ve learned so much about myself and the others through the process of joining them and could not be more happy with my decision.

What advice can you give someone transferring to Cal State Ģ��Ƶ?

My advice would be to follow your goals and dreams no matter what life throws at you or what others expect of you. Go after what you want don’t let anyone stop you from achieving your individual goals don’t allow anyone to decide anything for you. You get to hold the reigns, it’s your life and yours alone.

Milton Rivera

What brought you to Cal State Ģ��Ƶ?

Other than the view of the bay from the campus, what brought me here was how the commute wasn’t too far from home and I could get a great education that is worth every penny.

What are you involved in on campus (IE: Clubs, student organizations etc.)? How have they contributed to your personal and professional growth?

A group I’m involved with is CSUEB’s Asian and Pacific Islander community, and they’ve helped me both personally and professionally by inspiring me to keep pushing toward my goal of graduating and earning my degree. It might sound simple to others, but transferring from Chabot meant stepping into the unknown for me and felt like I had to start over again after a long journey that was roller coaster of ups and downs, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. But thanks to my toko Pili encouraging me to join the group, and the support from my advisor I’m more determined than ever to reach my goal.

What advice can you give someone transferring to Cal State Ģ��Ƶ?

Keep faith that there is a plan for you so don’t feel the need to be rush. You’ve accomplished a lot already to get to this point just enjoy the journey and make as many memories and experiences that you can before it’s all over. Don’t let any mistakes or bad grade define your future learn from it, grow from it, and keep going.

Trinity Marshall

What brought you to Cal State Ģ��Ƶ?

What brought me to Cal State Ģ��Ƶ was the location being so near to me and, lots of other cities! And, additionally what they could offer for my major. Cal State Ģ��Ƶ has so many opportunities for business majors and so many events to try to elevate you and helping you get your foot in the door. Theres so many workshops, internships, pathways, and job fairs that are offered here for business majors especially for marketing!

What are you involved in on campus (IE: Clubs, student organizations etc.)? How have they contributed to your personal and professional growth?

I work with SLIC on the second floor of the South Union! When I transferred over from LMC to CSUEB, I initially knew no one and, it was like I was starting all over again. But, through working with SLIC I've gotten to meet so many people and, gained many friends that helped me adjust to being here. Additionally, working here has helped me professionally by helping me gain skills that will be a great addition to my career in business marketing!

What advice can you give someone transferring to Cal State Ģ��Ƶ?

I would tell someone else in my shoes to take advantage of every career event here on campus! you never know if you might find your calling in a different field and, even what people you might meet! I would also say to keep your head up and ask for help while you're here. I know it can be really nerve-wracking to be in a whole new school and, feel like your progress is restarting but, it does get better!

Casey Pangilinan

What brought you to Cal State Ģ��Ƶ?

My journey to Cal State Ģ��Ƶ honestly felt meant to be. During my transfer process, I originally only applied to UCs and even accepted my offer to UC Berkeley. Because of cost and logistics, my offer was rescinded after I delayed paying the enrollment fee. Midway through what was supposed to be my first semester at Berkeley in Fall 2024, I decided to apply again, this time looking at CSUs. When I opened the application portals hoping to start in Spring 2025, every single campus was closed except Ģ��Ƶ. Out of all 23 CSU campuses, only one was still open. That felt like more than coincidence. I didn’t expect to stay close to home for the second half of my college career, but choosing Ģ��Ƶ has been one of the biggest blessings. Everything I’ve experienced here has shaped me in ways I never anticipated, and I’m genuinely so grateful it worked out the way it did.

What are you involved in on campus (IE: Clubs, student organizations etc.)? How have they contributed to your personal and professional growth?

Although I was actively involved at Ohlone College, working in both the Basic Needs Resource Center and Student Life Department and serving as a Senator and Director for Associated Students of Ohlone College, I do not think I fully stepped into my leadership style until I came to Ģ��Ƶ. Being surrounded by genuinely welcoming departments and programs that prioritized self-development and exploration pushed me in the best way possible. I stepped into spaces that felt new and unfamiliar, but in an exciting, growth-filled way. I began hosting my own workshops, communicating directly with higher administration, and serving as a bridge between students and decision-makers.

Through my roles as the Student Leadership Involvement Center’s Leadership Initiatives Lead, ASI Senator for the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences, Vice President of the Society for Collegiate Leadership and Achievement, Alpha Phi’s Panhellenic Delegate, and Orientation Leader in training, I was able to experiment with my voice and define what leadership actually means to me. Ģ��Ƶ gave me the space to try, to fail, to speak up, to listen better and to build community intentionally. I learned am still exploring my goal: how I want to show up for people. That is something I will carry with me far beyond this campus.

What advice can you give someone transferring to Cal State Ģ��Ƶ?

Say yes! Look around. Try things. Go to that random meeting, apply for the position, introduce yourself.

You do not need to have your whole life planned out. Sometimes the right path finds you when you are brave enough to just step into the room.

Timon Nguyen

What brought you to Cal State Ģ��Ƶ?

I came to Ģ��Ƶ because it was local and I'm already familiar with Hayward because of Chabot College.

What are you involved in on campus (IE: Clubs, student organizations etc.)? How have they contributed to your personal and professional growth?

I am apart of Alpha Kappa Omega Fraternity. Joining a fraternity deficiently developed my character. My confidence as a person grew and I learned how to be a leader in my own way. It also gave me a community granted me opportunities that I never thought I'd get. I also work on campus at the Student Leadership and Involvement Center. SLIC allowed me to grow on a professional level, expanding my social and assistive skills.

What advice can you give someone transferring to Cal State Ģ��Ƶ?

Strive to be a newer and better person. Transferring is your chance to start over and build your character from the ground up. Make the most of college before it's over and take initiative.

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