Communications

USF's New Transfer Center Opens to Support Student Success

The University of South Florida (USF) is proud to announce the opening of its new Transfer Center, located in the Grace Allen building, ALN 271. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on October 23rd at 11 AM, followed by an Open House, as part of National Transfer Student Week. This nationwide celebration, which takes place from October 21st to 25th, will feature events across all USF campuses to support and provide resources to transfer students.

Transfer students make up a significant portion of USF’s undergraduate population, having transitioned from community colleges or other higher education institutions. Transferring to a new college is a major life adjustment, requiring students to learn a new campus layout, understand a new academic culture, locate resources, and forge new connections. Recognizing the unique challenges that come with transferring, USF has created this new Transfer Center to offer a welcoming space and dedicated support for students who didn’t start their academic journey at USF.

The Transfer Center is designed to help transfer students feel connected and engaged with campus life, as research shows that students who are actively involved in their campus community tend to graduate on time and achieve higher academic success. The center will offer several key resources, including study rooms for small groups, individual study spaces, lockers, and a central meeting spot for transfer student organizations. There will also be opportunities for students to engage in study sessions, meet with transfer advisors, and access support from academic advocates.

Traditionally, transfer advising at USF has focused on students who are in the process of transferring into the university. However, the new Transfer Center will extend that support throughout their entire academic journey, providing ongoing guidance and resources even after they have completed the transition. This includes hosting workshops on topics such as transitioning to university life, study skills, and career exploration. These workshops will be conducted in collaboration with the Academic Success Center, the Center for Career and Professional Development, and other key campus departments.

A unique feature of the Transfer Center is its proximity to the Office of Veterans Success, which serves USF’s military-connected students. Many veterans and military-affiliated students have also transferred from other institutions, meaning they will now have two key offices to draw support from as they navigate their academic path at USF.

In addition to providing physical spaces for students to study and gather, the Transfer Success team will be instrumental in identifying and addressing gaps in service for transfer students. By listening to the needs of this growing student population, the team will work proactively to close those gaps and enhance the overall transfer experience at USF.

USF’s new Transfer Center marks an important step in the university’s ongoing commitment to student success. By offering a dedicated space and resources tailored to the unique needs of transfer students, USF is ensuring that every student has the tools they need to thrive, no matter where their academic journey began.