CSUMB welcomes 1,500 for Admitted Transfer Day

By Mark Muckenfuss

Tracy Hall feels like she is finally getting a member of her family to become an Otter.

“I so wish I could have come here,” said the special education teacher from Covina. “It would have been my first choice. Instead, I went to Fullerton.”

Hall was sitting in Cal State Monterey Bay’s Otter Student Union with her daughter, Alexis Norman, waiting for the start of Admitted Transfer Day on Saturday, April 25. The event, which drew about 1,500 students and their supporters, is an opportunity for students transferring to the university to tour the campus, meet with faculty and advisors and, generally, get more information about CSUMB.

Two years ago, Hall said, she was in the same place, but couldn’t convince her son that this was the school for him. Things were different this time. While her daughter is also looking at CSU San Marcos, she’s leaning toward CSUMB.

Norman has been studying kinesiology at Citrus College in Azusa. 

“If I come here, I might change my major,” Norman said. “Just being near the ocean, I know I’ll be very interested. I heard about the scuba. That would be an awesome class to be in.

“I want to be a physical therapist,” she added, “but I want to try new classes too. I’m definitely open to things.”

Exploring such opportunities was a big part of what the event is about. Representatives from all five of the university’s colleges were available at tables that lined the walkways of the main quad. There were also tables for the campus’s clubs, affinity centers and administrative offices, such as admissions and OtterCare. 

The day’s events included some fun touches, such as a DJ spinning energetic music, a buffet lunch on the lawn, giveaways and games and a live singer/guitarist. 

President Vanya Quiñones kicked off the event by welcoming the visiting students and their supporters. 

“This is a big deal,” Quiñones said. “You are one more step closer to graduation and realizing your dreams.”

She shared with the crowd the national accolades CSUMB has received, reminding the audience of the beautiful environment surrounding the university and some of the campus traditions. Mostly, however, she emphasized the supportive community students would find here. 

“The most exceptional thing about this university is the people that live and work here,” she said. “We want you to have the support of mentors and faculty. You have strength, but ‘The Strength of Us’ relies on all of us working together.”

Because of that, she said, students could expect “a hands-on education that will empower you and allow you to have a meaningful life after graduation.” 

Kaiven Bugwadia, of San Jose, said he knows the importance of that support. He is coming back to CSUMB to complete his computer science studies after a few years in the working world.

“The job market is getting a lot more tough,” Bugwadie said. “I need as much support as I can get.”

CSUMB offers the kind of program he thinks will help him after graduation, he said. 

“They’re talking about integrating AI into the curriculum,” he said, “which I’m really excited about.”

Yeralidine Morante, of Bakersfield, said CSUMB feels comfortable to her. A transfer student from Bakersfield Community College, she plans to study psychology.

“I visited this campus before and I really like it. I like the weather,” she said, despite the day’s heavy cloud cover and occasional drizzle. “I like that it’s not hot.”

She was also excited about learning beyond the classroom. 

“I’ve heard there are internships and hands-on opportunities,” she said. “And I like how lively it is here. The community, I really like that.”