Baldwin Wallace transfer students make leap that pays dividends

First-year students in the summer orientation group led by confident Jordyn Rozek '22 would never guess she didn't begin her college career at Baldwin Wallace University.

The North Royalton, Ohio, native and middle childhood education major spent the 2018-19 academic year at a state school 230 miles away before seeking out a university that would be closer to home and offer a great education program.

In her first semester at BW in fall 2019, she plugged in and never looked back.

"Transferring is the best decision I have ever made," Rozek says. "I have truly found my favorite place and have had so many opportunities given to me since coming to BW."

Jumping in with both feet

As BW marks National Transfer Student Week (Oct. 18-22), celebrating some 435 transfer students in the current study body, Rozek says her best advice to others making the jump is to get involved right away.

"Transferring can be scary - it feels like you are starting college all over again - but once you take that first leap of getting involved, so many doors will open for you," Rozek explains. "I started by joining one organization at BW, and that led me to joining multiple others."

A regular on the BW Dean's List, Rozek is involved in the Delta Zeta Sorority-Gamma Alpha Chapter, the Fraternity Sorority Programming Board and the Baldwin Wallace Students Education Organization.

Asking for and offering help

As a campus tour guide and former new student orientation leader (serving as director this past summer), Rozek advises all students, "Don't be afraid to ask for help!"

In fact, Rozek found plenty of assistance as she prepared for her transition to BW.

"I felt very supported," she says. "BW counselors were in constant communication with me during my entire transfer process and even called me to help set up spring semester at the school I transferred from so credits would transfer over."

"These Transfer Shoes"

With the theme "These Transfer Shoes," BW is marking National Transfer Student Week with a month-long digital salute and a sock drive to "fill these transfer shoes." The drive aims to collect 435 pairs of new socks (one for every BW transfer student) for Shoes and Clothes for Kids.

"Transfer students bring so much to the BW community," says Nancy Jirousek, BW senior director of transfer and military services. "They are typically very successful in their transition to BW because they already have academic experience and clear plans for completing their degrees."

"Getting engaged on campus is a wonderful way to enrich their experience, and so many transfer students take advantage of every opportunity at BW," she adds.

And Jordyn Rozek took the first step that proves the point.