Melanie Rice didn’t start her college career as a Lumberjack, but that’s how she’s finishing it.
Rice, a nursing student who will graduate next December, is one of 1,500 transfer students at NAU. She earned an associate’s degree at Cochise College, then transferred to the Flagstaff mountain campus in Fall 2024 to continue her nursing education. She came to NAU in part because of the superior nursing education available here and in part because she loved Flagstaff—the weather, the scenery and the four seasons.
For National Transfer Student Week, hear from transfer students about their experiences coming to NAU and what makes the university, as Vice Provost of NAU Online Carmin Chan called it, a “transfer-friendly destination.”
Finding a support system, opportunities and home
Once here, Rice made friends and developed a support system, and she tried new hobbies like rock climbing.
“I have had such an amazing experience at NAU as a transfer student,” Rice said. “I have had a great opportunity to meet amazing people who have become my close friends and coworkers. As someone in the healthcare field, Flagstaff itself has also provided me with great working and clinical opportunities.”
During her first semester on campus, Rice was assigned a Transfer Jacks mentor who helped her acclimate to the new environment.
“She introduced me to helpful resources, activities that were happening on campus and transfer events where I was able to meet other transfer students,” she said. “She is also one of the main reasons that I applied to be a peer mentor for Transfer Jacks. I wanted to help students who have transferred to NAU have a smooth and successful transition through their first semester/year here at NAU, just as I did.”
Hear from the Transfer Jacks about their experiences and follow the Transfer Jacks on Instagram.
Balancing education, work and life
Olga Thomas, who graduates in December with a degree in criminal justice administration, started her education at Yavapai Community College and is finishing through NAU Online. She is a nontraditional student who found online education was the best way to balance finishing her degree with the rest of her life.
“This path has taught me discipline, resilience and the importance of time management,” she said. “Unlike many traditional students who are just beginning their professional journey, I bring years of real-world experience that shape how I approach my education.”
Thomas returned to school after 14 years; she said the lengthy hiatus initially made her nervous about enrolling at NAU. Once she did, her advisors, peer mentor and success coach have helped make her transition easier. She advised other transfer students to go to orientation and campus tours and keeping in contact with academic advisors early to make sure they stay on track to graduate. For other online students, she said, plan ahead and stay organized.
“Online courses require self-discipline and time management, but they also offer flexibility and access to diverse faculty and classmates,” Thomas said. “Stay proactive, ask questions and connect with instructors to make the most of your transition and ensure your academic success.”
Fulfilling a lifelong dream
For Teresa Marrufo, being a Lumberjack is a family affair. The heritage is going the other direction, though; one of her sons went to NAU. So when she decided to return to school when she was 60, NAU Online was a logical choice. She transferred 90 credits from Pima Community College and will graduate in the spring with a degree in applied human behavior.
She got a lot of help from both the NAU Online and Statewide office and the Veterans Success Center as she was transferring and in applying for scholarships, and her academic advisor, Liam McDougall, has helped her through her entire NAU experience. He’s also helped get her ready for her next step: grad school at NAU.
“I tell people like me who have lots of credits at junior colleges but no degree that NAU will help them like they helped me,” she said. “At NAU, I learned there is no age limit to finishing your education and getting a degree. I am grateful for NAU Online—it is changing my life!”
Taking advantage of NAU’s resources
NAU has enrollment counselors embedded in programs and academic advisors co-located throughout the state, so potential students have advocates close to home who can help them navigate the transfer process, figure out which of their previously earned credits will transfer (several programs accept up to 90 previous transfer credits) and which program or campus will best meet a student’s needs. Once enrolled, coaching and peer mentor programs help students make the transition and feel a sense of belonging.
“Many transfer students are the first in their family to go to college, paying their way through school with work and family commitments happening alongside their academics, or returning to college after some time away,” Chan said. “Helping them to maximize their previous college credits and experiences toward achieving their education goals offers a transformative impact for these individuals, their families and our local communities.”
Students can also use JacksPath to map out what credits they already have, what will transfer and which classes they’ll need once enrolled at NAU.
Did you know?
- Almost 800,000 Arizonans have some college, but no degree.
- NAU accepts 98% of transfer student applications.
- NAU offers rolling admissions for transfer students.
- About 5% of NAU students are transfer students.
- Nursing is the most popular program for transfer students, with psychological sciences being a close second.
Heidi Toth | NAU Communications
(928) 523-8737 | heidi.toth@nau.edu