Transfer students can gather to discuss career and academic development, share snacks and meet new friends through Binghamton University’s new Transfer Cafe.

The Transfer Cafe, an initiative that began this semester, is a joint effort between Transfer Student Services, the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development and Residential Life to accelerate the integration of transfer students into BU. It features 15-20 minute presentations, talks about academic and career development topics and offers access to University resources, helping transfers gain a sense of belonging in the new environment. The Transfer Cafe is held every other Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Susquehanna Coffeehouse in Susquehanna Community’s Brandywine Hall. The community, where many transfer students live, provides the events a space for networking and gathering.

Michael Henningsen, the new assistant director for transfer year success and programming, and Laura O’Neill, an in-residence career and professional development consultant, spearheaded the Transfer Cafe initiative.

“It is very essential for transfer students’ social, emotional and academic success to feel a sense of belonging when they are just starting out their very first semester,” O’Neill said. “The Transfer Cafe offers a consistent message of important opportunities, friendly faces, as well as a chance to meet other new transfers. Michael Henningsen and I share the same goal in making sure transfers feel that connection.”

Gillian Mathews, a graduate assistant in the Transfer Student Services and first-year graduate student pursuing a master’s of public administration (MPA), said the Transfer Cafe offered support for transfer students.

“Oftentimes, transfer students may face obstacles when they first arrive that are hard to navigate and knowing that you have a strong support system can be extremely helpful,” Mathews said.

With his new position, Henningsen said he hopes to develop new programs for the transfer student body that provide more opportunities to meet and socialize in a relaxed environment.

“We wanted to make sure that transfers were getting information that would truly benefit them during their time at BU,” Henningsen said.

The Transfer Cafe kick-off event was held on the first day of classes, Jan. 25, 2022, with Kelli Smith, assistant vice president for student success presenting “Top Tips for Success.”

“Due to changes in the BU calendar and move-in procedures, we had to push the event back a week, as the original concept was a way to welcome the brand new spring transfer students to campus,” Henningsen said.

The first Transfer Cafe, held Feb. 8, 2022, centered on resumes and cover letters. According to Mathews, most Transfer Cafe presentations focus on academic and career development and provide students with a wide range of available resources, also preparing them for the incoming internships and job fairs hosted by the University. Henningsen said the first event was a success.

“The first Transfer Cafe, or the kickoff event, was really a really positive experience,” Henningsen said. “The students that came really seemed to enjoy the talk and spent a lot of time getting to know one another and socialize. Of course, the students enjoyed the free coffee, tea, hot chocolate and the snacks as well.”

The first Transfer Cafe also attracted a number of returning students, according to Mathews.

Ruihan Jiang, a senior majoring in statistics, came to BU from China two years ago as a transfer student. Jiang attended the first Transfer Cafe.

“I used to attend social events at the Susquehanna Community Coffeehouse which helped me get through the insecurity of being in a new environment,” Jiang said. “Transfer Cafe solves the anxiety of transfer students trying to fit in at a new school but not knowing what to do. The resume and cover letter tips shared at the first Transfer Cafe prepared me for my first career fair at BU.”

Although Transfer Student Services is currently working with the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development and Residential Life, they have partnered with other campus offices and groups as well. Some of these agencies include the Department of Student Transition and Success, Tau Sigma National Honor Society and the Office of International Education and Global Initiatives.

“Moving forward, we are going to advertise the events differently, in hopes of being able to reach more students,” Henningsen said. “As any new initiative, it takes time for the word to spread about events such as this.”

Transfer Cafe will continue planning events for the remainder of the spring 2022 semester and will conclude the semester series with a graduation celebration for transfer students.

“We encourage all new and former transfer students to stop by and grab a hot beverage and a snack,” Henningsen said. “Who knows, you may get a chance to meet someone new [or] learn something that you might not have known before.”

Editor’s note: Gillian Matthews was a Pipe Dream assistant news editor from 2020-2021.