PSU Transfer and Returning Student Resource Center

Time for our Friday Spotlight!
Sophia (she/her) is a returning student at PSU, majoring in Liberal Studies and planning to graduate this Winter 🎉

Tell us about our returning student journey.
💚 I attended Linfield college 1995-1998. In 2012, I decided to return to school and transfer to PSU. During my final year, my financial aid ran out due to exceeding the credit limit. In December 2022, I decided to contact PSU and see how many credits I needed to graduate and look at my financial options.

I spoke with a returning student advisor and was absolutely thrilled with the news I received, and it just kept getting better from there. Everyone I contacted at PSU was so helpful and informative. Shayna, a returning student advisor, ran a few scenarios through DARS with my completed courses and helped me figure out I only had one class to finish my degree. They gave me a detailed list of what to do from there on out. I contacted April from the Financial Wellness Center, who helped me with the Last Mile Fund application. Meanwhile, I contacted a Language, Culture, & Meaning Advisor, Jon, who not only was quick to respond, but told me that due to all my prior coursework he would request to have my final class waived; all I needed to do was apply to graduate!

What are you looking forward to?
💚 I am excited for new adventures, possibly moving on to get a Master’s Degree, and seeing what opportunities this has opened up for me.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
🥘 ⚾ 💎 I like keeping life simple. I love cooking, hanging out with my family and pets, hiking on a nice sunny day. Beading and making jewelry when I'm feeling creative. I’m also a huge Portland Pickles Baseball fan, hence the "dill city" hat.

Do you have any advice to share with students thinking of transferring to PSU or returning to higher ed?
💚 Reach out to the PSU staff-- there is always someone to help, that is exactly what they are there for. It may be hard to ask for help, but it is much easier with help and guidance.

Thank you, Sophia, for sharing your valuable experience with us 🎉✨🎉
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✍️ Got a story to share? Complete our Student Story form: bit.ly/trsrc-transfer-story

Happy Friday! The Transfer & Returning Student Resource Center (TRSRC) continues to introduce members of our team! This week we are spotlighting the Finish Line Coordinator, Noah Spencer!

Noah Spencer (he/him/his) is the Finish Line Coordinator in the TRSRC. He started as a student employee at PSU where he got to do several different jobs from front desk work to peer advising.

What do you like about the work that you do?
💚 The TRSRC team is enthusiastic and kind, and I am lucky to be able to work with such a great group of people.

What are you looking forward to this academic year?
💚 I’m looking forward to helping as many students as possible return to PSU in the coming year.

What do you like to do outside of work?
🎲 In my free time, I like to play Dungeons and Dragons with my family and collect Funko pops. (Noah also loves shoes... see Image 2!)

Do you have any advice for new transfer students starting at PSU?
💚 If I could offer one piece of advice to students It would be to find a place on campus where you feel the most comfortable and try to find and build community in those places.

We are very fortunate to have Noah on our team of advisors. Thank you, Noah, for being a value to the TRSRC and PSU community 🎉

✍️ Got a story to share? Complete our Student Story form: bit.ly/trsrc-transfer-story
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Happy Friday! Introducing the many pets of the Transfer & Returning Student Resource Center (TRSRC)!

🐈 🐕 🦥

Do you have a pet or fun photo that brings you joy? Please send it to [email protected] with your name, photo name/caption, and anything else you would like to share! 🎉🎉🎉

Yesterday was a beautiful day on campus! 🍁 (taken by TRSRC Advisor Shayna)

Enjoy today’s gorgeous weather!

📸 Have a photo you wish to be featured? Send it to [email protected]!

Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week is next week!

From Monday, November 14 - Saturday, November 19th, join PSU’s Student Community Engagement Center (SCEC) for a variety of educational events and opportunities of collaboration between student and resource centers to draw attention to the issues of hunger, houselessness, and basic needs insecurity on the PSU campus.

To learn more about all the events, visit: https://bit.let/HHAW2022, or screenshot the QR code, and tap and hold on it to open the webpage!

Swipe to see all the events!

Happy Friday! Each week during Fall term the Transfer & Returning Student Resource Center (TRSRC) would like to introduce each member of our team! This week we are spotlighting Jay, part of the TRSRC Student Staff Team!

Jay (He/Him) is a student experience support specialist at the TRSRC. Originally from the Bay Area in California, Jay moved to Portland to attend Portland State University and is a Civil Engineering major with a minor in Mathematics.

What other roles on campus/off campus or student clubs/organizations are you involved in?
💚 Currently, I am involved in the Student Community Engagement Center (SCEC) as a shift lead for Blanchet House, as well as a volunteer for the PSU Food Pantry here on campus.

Why do you enjoy working at the TRSRC, or the work that you do?
💚 Working at the TRSRC is a fun experience as I get to benefit myself while also working in a healthy work environment surrounded by other fun and respectable people.

What do you like to do in your spare time, outside of work?
🗺️ I play video games and explore around Portland!

What advice would you give to current or incoming transfer students?
💚 The best advice I could give is to just focus on yourself in order to become the best person you are.

We are very fortunate to have Jay on our team of student workers! Thank you, Jay, for being a value to the TRSRC and PSU community 🎉 🎉 🎉

✍️ Got a story to share?
📲 Complete our Student Story form: bit.ly/trsrc-transfer-story

Happy Halloween from the Monochromatic Party People of the Transfer & Returning Student Resource Center (TRSRC)!

👻 🎃 🧙‍♀️ 🧹 🕷 🌈

Meet Matt (he/him), a new transfer student to Portland State University (PSU), majoring in Social Science!

Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
💚 I was born in St. Louis, grew up in Iowa City, went to college in California, and moved to Portland in 1994!

Are there any experiences you've had prior to coming to PSU that were particularly significant to your student journey?
💚 I have wanted to be a professional musician for as long as I can remember. It's part of why I didn't finish college the first time. I spent 10 years as a children's entertainer and stay-at-home dad to my daughter until March 2020. When COVID hit, and live music disappeared, my world turned upside down. I came to the realization that as a single parent in Portland, I was going to need a more reliable income than playing music could provide. That's what led me to wanting to finish my degree at PSU!

What are you looking forward to this year?
💚 Everything! I'm transferring in as a senior, and hoping to get into the graduate teaching program when I'm done. Honestly, the idea of my mom being able to see me graduate is really exciting to me.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
🎸 I've had an awesome career playing music for kids and families in Portland! I love doing things with my daughter, whether walking around in nature or watching goofy TV shows. I also love riding my bike around our beautiful city!

Anything else you would like to share?
💚 This is my first term at PSU, but I was fortunate enough to take the Summer Bridge Scholars class at the end of this summer. Working with my fellow students and amazing teacher Randi, I was able to build confidence in my ability to succeed in school. I have always assumed that I'm not a "good" student, but with some help and guidance, I reframed my thinking and accomplished some truly transformative growth.

I am so grateful for all the amazing support and opportunities at PSU. Coming back to school after such a long break is a big change, and a little scary sometimes. Thanks to this community, I know I'm on the right path!

Shout out to Matt for being a truly engaged transfer student and an all-around fabulous addition to PSU! 🎉

Last week the Transfer & Returning Student Resource Center (TRSRC) held our first Peer Connection Community Hours with our Peer Connection Specialist and current transfer student, Kieran!

This Fall, join us on Wednesdays for virtual community hour and Thursdays for in-person community hour!

Virtual Peer Connection Community Hour
🗓️ Wednesdays, 11am - 12pm
📲 Join via Zoom: https://bit.ly/pcn-community-hour

Peer Connection Community Hour (in-person)
🗓️ Thursdays, 12-1pm
🗺️ Location: In-person; Fariborz Maseeh Hall (FMH) 342- TRSRC Office

Attend Peer Connection Community Hour to:
🎉 Meet other transfer students!
🎉 Learn about PSU resources and navigational tips!
🎉 Find space to relax and unwind in a safe and social environment!
🎉 Bring your questions, or come chat about your classes and college life!
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💻 Sign up to get the full schedule: https://bit.ly/tsrc-newsletter
📲https://pdx.edu/transfer-center/events

Just a few snapshots from an amazing National Transfer Student Week 🎊🎈🎉🪩

Want an opportunity to win some fun swag from departments and resource centers across campus??

Come to the Transfer & Returning Student Resource Center (TRSRC) Wrap-up Party today!!

🗓 10/21: 12:30-1pm
📲 https://bit.ly/celebrate-ntsw22
🎉 Tell us your wins of the week, share stories, and win prizes!!!

Happy National Transfer Student Week! All week long 10/17 - 10/21, we are hosting a variety of events with departments and resource centers across campus!

We can’t believe it’s almost Friday! There is still time to attend events for National Transfer Student Week!

🗓 Friday 10/21:

🎉 10-11am: Transfer Student Weight Room Orientation at Campus Rec (in-person)
🎉 12:30-1pm: National Transfer Student Week Wrap-up Party (virtual) *Giveaways & more!
🎉 2-3pm: Tabletop Gaming Social Hour with the TRSRC! (in-person)
🎉 3-4:30pm: Tabletop Gaming Stay and Play with the TRSRC! (in-person)

💻 View all National Transfer Student Week Events (Mon 10/17 - Fri 10/21): https://pdx.edu/transfer-center/events/ntsw

Happy National Transfer Student Week! All week long 10/17 - 10/21, we are hosting a variety of events with departments and resource centers across campus!

We’ve got your Thursday events covered for National Transfer Student Week!

🗓 Thursday 10/20:

🎉 11am- 12pm: Education Abroad 101 (virtual)
🎉 12-1pm: Drop-in Pickleball with Campus Rec Center (in-person)
🎉 12-1pm: Peer Connection Community Hour with TRSRC (in-person)
🎉 12-5pm: Open House at the Basic Needs Hub (in-person, anytime)
🎉 1-2pm: Stress Management & Life Transitions with the Wellness and Health Action Team (WHAT) (virtual)
🎉 2-3pm: Academic Coaching Q&A for Transfer Students with the Learning Center (virtual)
🎉 3-4pm: Quick Questions Advising Drop-ins with the TRSRC (virtual)
🎉 4:30 - 6pm: National Transfer Student Week Happy Hour at Rogue Hall (in-person)

💻 View all National Transfer Student Week Events (Mon 10/17 - Fri 10/21): https://pdx.edu/transfer-center/events/ntsw