Transfer students regularly say Stonehill’s strong mentorship and welcoming community made their transition seamless.
As a transfer student, communication major Perry Shelbred ’24 knew that he not only wanted to keep himself on track academically but also hoped for a smooth transition culturally and socially.
The process had barely begun when he realized that fitting in at Stonehill College would be virtually effortless.
“I felt heard and valued and was able to work through the transfer process seamlessly,” says Shelbred, who is now senior project coordinator at Atlantic State Advisors.
From its first female graduate to its most recent President’s Cup winner, Stonehill has long recognized the importance and value of transfer students. As it joins the celebration of National Transfer Week, Oct. 20-24, the mutual benefits gained by the College and its transfer students are undeniable.
President John Denning, C.S.C. (left) and Michael Keiran Leary '25 (right)
“The faculty, staff and friends in the Stonehill community welcomed me with open arms to unlock opportunities I did not even realize were possible,” says marketing major Michael Keiran Leary ’25, who immersed himself in the Stonehill community after transferring here and was awarded the President’s Cup earlier this year. “I instantly felt at ease because of my peers’ willingness to see me thrive.”
That sense of ease begins with the application process.
“We’ve streamlined the admission process to make transferring as easy as possible,” says Scott Seseske, vice president of enrollment management at the College. “It’s a recognition of the valuable perspectives and meaningful contributions transfer students bring to the Stonehill community.”
We’ve streamlined the admission process to make transferring as easy as possible. It’s a recognition of the valuable perspectives and meaningful contributions transfer students bring to the Stonehill community.
For Isabella Therrien ’25, a neuroscience major and member of Stonehill’s softball team, the decision to transfer to Stonehill centered on the caliber of the College’s neuroscience program and the dedication of its faculty.
“I had such a strong relationship with my professors that they came to me and asked if I wanted to do research with them,” Therrien says. “Whatever type of career you want to go into, there are endless job possibilities, endless research possibilities and endless goals you can pursue.”
Biology Professor Rachel Hirst, who serves as the College’s science transfer coordinator, knows that research is particularly advantageous to the transfer students coming from community colleges. “Studies show that early exposure to research is an indicator for success in science,” she says.
Rachel Henshaw ’19 is a perfect example. After completing a two-year degree at Massasoit Community College, she transferred to Stonehill to study biology. She says she very much appreciated the ability to jump right in to professional-caliber research.
Professor Rachel Hirst and Rachel Henshaw ’19 conducting research in the lab
“I worked in the lab of Professor Magdalena Pederson,” Henshaw says. “I loved it. I got to do things I’d never done before, including working on protocols for gel purification, metagenomics and DNA testing.”
Faculty mentorship also was a key component of Shelbred’s transition to Stonehill.
“When I made the decision to transfer to Stonehill, it was a decision based on friendship, opportunity and trust,” the Ridgefield, Connecticut, native says. “This stemmed from the mentorship that I received from various members of the Stonehill College community, from my academic and athletic advisors to the football coaches and staff members.”
Shelbred also expects that his many leadership opportunities at Stonehill — from being a member of the Anchors Leadership Society to mentoring teammates on the football field — will serve him well in his professional life.
“In being a leader, I’ve learned to listen, empathize and communicate with teammates and people from all different kinds of backgrounds,” he says. “I’ve learned that it has everything to do with creating connections, listening and making others feel heard and part of an experience or common goal.”
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