FAMU Program Focuses on Transfer Student Success

Stephanie Peters:“The program has great resources and works with them by motivating, connecting them, inspiring them. We can help them to engage.”

Senior transfer student Stephanie Peters strides across the Florida A&M University (FAMU) campus with her mind and eyes focused on her big day: December 10.

That’s when Peters will earn a FAMU undergraduate degree in business administration, with a minor in music industry. She will reach that milestone a decade after completing her associate degree at Tallahassee Community College while she working at the Florida Department of Revenue.

The working mother of two daughters is the beneficiary of an arsenal of resources designed for students like her. Shortly after entering FAMU in 2019, she became part of the Transfer Academic Student Program (TASP), a program, she says, helped her along the way at FAMU.

“I did not feel like I had a community when I came in,” she recalled, after slowing down for an interview this summer. Peters soon was heavily involved with TASP and became a member of its invitation-only national honor society, Tau Sigma, for which she serves as president. While she now looks forward to attending FAMU’s College of Law after her graduation, she has a few other priorities.

“I am looking forward to working with other students when they come,” she said. “The program has great resources and works with them by motivating, connecting them, inspiring them. We can help them to engage.”

Peters is one of 1,818 FAMU transfer students celebrating National Transfer Student Week Oct. 18-22. TASP was developed in 2013 by Brenda Spencer, Ph.D., who serves as director.

“I saw a need,” Spencer said. “As a transfer student, you already have had some college experiences, but you are still new to FAMU. Our program is designed to help students make a smooth transition.”

Spencer said the University’s transfer services, under two divisions, now has several key components:  Ignite Transfer Program, Specialized Transfer Articulation Agreements and Curriculum Maps, Transfer Orientation, Transfer Academic Resources, and leadership and networking opportunities for transfer students from universities and colleges statewide, nationwide, and other countries. 

“A lot of times, with transfer students coming in,” said Sheila Martin, program coordinator, “they feel they’re being shuffled in. They feel like they’re alone. With the program, they can build relationships right off. Sometimes, they need academic tutors, sometimes they need help making sure their transfer hours are properly recorded. Sometimes, they just need to talk.”

Martin works closely with faculty, staff, and university student support services to advocate and support transfer students in enhancing their academic journey and social experience. They offer Transfer workshops, the Transfer Peer Mentoring Program, Transfer Student Association, Tau Sigma National Honor Society and other great opportunities within the Transfer Academic Success Program, Martin added. 

“We take pride in providing academic support and guidance to newly admitted and current transfer students by directing them to appropriate resources and campus services,” Martin said.

“The program works with our newest transfer Rattlers in transitioning into FAMU, retention and overall academic success here at Florida A&M University – with the ultimate goal of graduation. It strives to foster a sense of community among the transfer student population.”  

For more information: Call the Transfer Academic Students Program, 850-412-5910. Gore Building C-14 or visit  the website.