STEP: Student Transfer Excellence Program

Transferring to a new university can bring on new emotions including excitement, motivation, apprehension, and uncertainty. Transferring can also come with a whole set of new adventures as well as new challenges. Listed below are some resources that you might find useful as you transition into Mines. These are only some of the resources available, but it is a great starting point to help direct questions you may have. You will also always have a home away from home at MEP House, so if you want to connect with someone on campus, feel free to stop by our office and say hi!

 

2024-2025 Transfer Events

Fall 2024

  • Transfer Student Week Engineering Panel- Monday, October 21
  • Career Center- How to Market Yourself as a Transfer Student- Tuesday, October 22
  • Happy Hour Social with Transfer Student Association- Wednesday, October 23
  • Transfer Student Dinner & Bingo Night- Thursday, October 24
  •  Career Center- Resume & Cover Letter Workshop- Monday, November 11

Spring 2025

  • Check back soon for Spring events.
General Resources for Transfer Students

Here is a list of campus resources for transfer students:

STEP: Hearst Scholars

The STEP: Hearst Scholars Program is a scholarship opportunity for transfer students made possible through the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. Transfer students awarded the Hearst Scholarship are provided with a renewable scholarship to support their studies, and will join a transfer scholar’s community within the Multicultural Engineering Program (MEP) focused on academic success and pathways into workforce. In addition, through the Hearst Foundation and a generous donation from Chevron, Hearst Scholars have access to peer mentors and transfer-specific programming throughout the year. 

MISSION
Through peer mentoring, support Hearst Scholars in the Student Transfer Excellence Program (STEP) who have transferred to Mines with encouragement, community, motivation, and resources to aid in degree completion and workforce attainment.

GOALS

  • Support STEP scholars in successfully completing their first semester at Mines and working to reduce “transfer shock”.
  • Support STEP scholars in successfully persisting beyond first semester and through degree completion.
  • Connect STEP scholars with their peers, staff, resources and programs on campus, and industry opportunities.
  • Provide guidance to STEP scholars in navigating Mines and Mines culture.

ELIGIBILITY

  • Transfer student from a community college, transferring into Mines.
  • Enrolled at Mines in an undergraduate STEM major.
  • Expressed interest in pursuing a STEM baccalaureate degree.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Complete Fall Transfer Launch Orientation
  • Register for CSM 201 (Course is free to students, paid for through MEP)
  • Attend various academic, career, and community events/activities throughout the semester
  • Engage in check-ins with the Multicultural Engineering Program (MEP), Center for Academic Services and Advising (CASA), and the Career Center

MEET YOUR PEER MENTORS!
All STEP Scholars are paired with a peer mentor to check-in with throughout their time at Mines. Check-ins are meant to support incoming transfer students with questions about Mines, how to get involved, and build general community.

Shelby Gilson

Esteban Gubbins

Transfer Student Association

The Transfer Student Association (TSA) at Mines intends to provide a community for transfer students that promotes a supporting and uplifting environment and connects students to other transfer students. As well as informing them of resources available to them and any general information about Mines that might have missed being a transfer student. Through this club transfer students can meet other transfer students and come together to share their experiences and knowledge in a safe place.

Meetings and events will be posted on OreConnect please follow our group to stay up to date. 

If you have any questions please reach out to Zoe Brouillet, zoe_brouillet@mines.edu or Shelby Gilson, shelby_gilson@mines.edu

Resources for Faculty and Staff

Check back for updates soon! 

I transferred from Bluegrass Community & Technical College in Lexington, Kentucky. I chose Mines because of the small campus and great community aspect that it provides. My transfer experience was a rollercoaster of emotions. Everything from excitement to stress, and even imposter syndrome that came along with being a transfer and a non-traditional student. At times I felt out of place, or as if I didn’t belong; especially when I failed my first class. With the help of my professors and classmates I managed to get back on track and propel myself forward. I also became involved in numerous clubs and organizations around campus. I am now a Lead Peer Mentor for New Student & Transition Services, a mentor for the Student Transfer Excellence Program through MEP, a member of SHPE, SWE and AIChE. Our journey as transfer students should be celebrated. We have learned numerous skills, experiences, and varying perspectives that make us unique, both personally and professionally.

Elizabeth Sandoval

Chemical Engineering, May 2025

I transferred from Red Rocks Community College in 2022. The most challenging aspects of transferring were class registration and connecting with department advisors. At Mines, it’s crucial to be proactive in reaching out to the advisement department (CASA) and the registrar to ensure a smooth transition. Additionally, introduce yourself to the professor or admin handling degree audits in your department early on, and schedule a meeting by the midpoint of your first semester to plan your course schedule for the next term. Be prepared for registration inconveniences and potential prerequisites that need to be waived (Blue Slips). Lastly, seek out a department-specific advisor to guide your career preparations for industry or academia. Remember, everyone at the school is genuinely committed to your success! Welcome to Mines, and enjoy the vibrant club and research community! I’ve had a fantastic experience doing summer research and sussing out Golden’s community. I also found my way onto the exec board for my major’s professional society. Our talents as nontraditional students got us here and we deserve to let it rip!

Gregorio Zavala-Carney

Metallurgical & Materials Engineering, December 2024