Honorable Mentions for the Transfer Student Award recognizes their outstanding academic achievements and engagement in research activities.

Jose Gutierrez (left)

“As a transfer student coming from East Los Angeles College, I didn’t know what to expect once getting to UCSB. Though, I came to enjoy the beautiful campus, the local beaches, and the vibrant environment that UCSB offers. One thing in particular that I loved about UCSB was the transfer student community and the way that transfer students supported each other. I also really enjoyed bike rides across campus and sunsets at Sands Beach. In class, I loved learning the variety of theoretical perspectives in sociology, with some of my favorite courses focusing on race and ethnicity, critical theory, the sociology of immigration, and the sociology of education. I will be starting a Ph.D. program in Sociology at the University of California, Irvine this upcoming fall, and plan to study Latinas/os in the US, immigrant incorporation, education, and social inequality. After earning my Ph.D., I hope to become a sociology professor.”

Nicole Ramirez (middle)

“My name is Nicole Ramirez and I am graduating with a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology and a minor in Applied Psychology. I also took some feminist studies courses for fun and education that I believe necessary in light of our current world. I loved my 2 years here for many reasons including our beautiful campus and all of the resources available to aid student success. Some of my fondest memories are in rich classroom discussions, late night finals studying in a packed library, and participation in a research lab. I am currently preparing for grad school, continuing my clinical work, and research as a part-time research assistant at UCSB. I am honored to receive this award and to be graduating from UCSB! “

Dylan Schmerer (right)

“I was two different mustangs and a seahawk before I became a Gaucho. UCSB is the fourth college that I attended on my transfer path, but it is the one that I belonged at. My six quarters here seemed to drag on with midterms, papers, and projects week by week, but now I look back and can’t believe my time here is up. 

I may not be a student at UCSB anymore, but I will always be a Gaucho. I will always cherish my time on campus and in Isla Vista. And I will always remember freeb!rds’ nachos. 

I don’t know what my next few years will bring, especially given these circumstances, but I hope to teach economics at a community college one day. I want to let students know that they can succeed as transfers.”