Spring University Fair offers resources for transfer students
Natural sciences, mathematics and engineering Outreach and Community College Coordinator Abel Nunez-Guerrero speaks with a student at the CSU Bakersfield desk on Thursday, March 23. (Eddy Cermeno | The Union) Photo credit: Eddy Cermeno
After a few days of rainy weather on campus, the 2023 Spring University Fair took place at the Student Services Plaza on Thursday, March 23.
Transfer Center Coordinator Rene Lozano said no matter the weather, he never wants to stop offering services to students on campus.
Lozano said the event brings the universities to the students as a “one-stop shop” where they can explore academic options and speak with university representatives to ask them questions related to their respective campuses.
Biology Major Leslie Ortiz is a first-generation college student who got accepted to California State University Long Beach. She came to the event to speak with a Long Beach representative to learn more about the transfer process and financial aid which she could not do from home.
“Having these opportunities helps me go check off my list without any distractions,” Ortiz said.
Outreach Coordinator for CSU Long Beach Erica Ifill-Dobbins said she goes to these events to help students get resources and information about the next steps.
“That’s why I do my job, [to] reassure them it’s going to be okay,” Ifill-Dobbins said. “There are more opportunities besides Long Beach at this event, so I tell students to not pigeonhole themselves.”
Outreach and Community College Coordinator Abel Nunez-Guerrero was at a desk representing natural sciences, mathematics and engineering for CSU Bakersfield.
Nunez-Guerrero said he is proud of Bakersfield’s small student population since it allows his department to be “more hands-on” and have a better academic relationship with professors.
“Students in these fields usually have to wait semesters to get in their classes,” Nunez-Guerrero said. “At Bakersfield, they can jump right in.”
After difficulties from the pandemic, Nunez-Guerrero said “students may be in their shell” and he and others at the event are there to help them.
Second-year business major Natalie Martinez attended the event to know more about the cost, student life and majors from multiple universities.
“After coming here I have a better idea of what I need to transfer,” Martinez said.
Lozano said he wants students to be “empowered to ask questions” at these events.
“Breaking that barrier is hard,” Lozano said. “But we hope that this event helps them.”
