Transfer Nation 2026 hosted an event on February 4 aimed at helping transfer and contemporary students connect with one another and access support systems at George Mason University. The gathering was part of the university’s First-Year Connection programming, which seeks to foster engagement, academic achievement, and personal growth for students who are new to the institution.
Caroline Simpson, assistant director of New Student and Family Programs (NSFP), explained the purpose of the event. “This particular event is really a chance for transfer students to meet each other and learn that they are not alone in their experience here,” Simpson said. “They’re not the only ones going through different challenges or struggles. They have community.”
Simpson also pointed out that setting goals early in the semester is important for transfer students, who often face a shorter timeline to adjust to their new environment.
Richard Tenia, a recent transfer from Northern Virginia Community College, described his initial difficulties adapting to a larger campus but credited resident advisors (RAs) and Mason360 events with helping him establish connections quickly.
Another student, Zell Preston from Laurel Ridge Community College, emphasized how the university’s diversity and opportunities for involvement were central to her experience. She noted that her success coach played a key role in her transition from forensic science to criminology and that services like Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provided additional support.
The event also addressed the needs of working adults managing professional and family responsibilities while attending school. Jennifer Rogel, who works two full-time jobs while studying full time, said transfer-focused programs made her transition easier. After attending previous transfer events in November, she found course registration less confusing and gained access to follow-up resources. A free laptop provided by the Student Support and Advocacy Center was particularly helpful.
Rogel highlighted the importance of awareness when it comes to campus resources: “I believe there are resources for everybody,” she said. “The thing is, are we taking advantage of them? Do we know those resources exist?”
By making available services more visible and accessible through Transfer Nation 2026, organizers sought to ensure students felt confident using them rather than viewing them as just information online.
The event underscored George Mason University’s commitment to supporting all students—including those transferring from other institutions—by fostering community connections early in their academic journey.