by Layah Hodges

In the summer of 2024, I started at my fourth college in 5 years and didn’t know what to expect. Transferring to Bellarmine meant starting over again and trying to figure out who I am and how I fit in here. Not to mention, I was 23 coming in as a junior, knowing no one.  I did the typical things new students do – I went to the involvement fair, joined a few RSOs, went to a few events, but something felt off. In my life, I’ve never fit into one mold or group and at Bellarmine, it seemed to be no different. But what was different was Bellarmine's mission of prioritizing every student's education, inclusive of their mind, body, and spirit. This phrase sparked something inside of me, empowering me to change and grow into a person I had never been before. 

I realized that I made the word “transfer” a part of my identity. In every room I entered, I made sure to include this word, unconsciously othering instead of including myself. Merriam Webster defines transfer as “the carryover or generalization of learned responses from one type of situation to another”. Does that sound familiar? It is difficult to unlearn patterns used to protect us from uncomfortable situations and potential rejections. But what happens if we keep that guard up? We lose out on developing close friendships, pursuing rewarding opportunities, forging meaningful connections, and providing ourselves with the utmost pride through our lived experiences. 

Throughout my senior year at Bellarmine, I served as a member on Bellarmine Society, the nontraditional student representative on SGA, and as the Vice President of the Tau Rho Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. These three roles solidified the decision I made to transfer to Bellarmine. Bellarmine Society empowered me to advocate for additional transfer student services and resources such as the revitalization of an in-depth orientation for incoming transfer students. My position on SGA provided a space to learn from my peers, foster collaborative relationships, and highlight the interconnectedness of the student experience as a Bellarmine Knight. As the Vice President of my sorority chapter on campus, I developed deeper connections my fellow sisters, developed professional development skills through tabling and hosting events on campus, and educate our new members about the impact our organization has in our local and global community. Transferring to Bellarmine allowed me to combine my skills and talents, while acquiring new ones, in ways I couldn't do anywhere else. 

I'm rewriting my narrative to highlight that no matter where I came from or have been, I have made a home here. For incoming students, I would share that once you pass through the Bellarmine arch, never limit yourself to what you think you can and cannot do. If you have multiple distinct passions, there are so many opportunities for innovation and creation across campus. I have been fortunate enough to continue my education at Bellarmine in the Master of Science in Digital Media while working as a Graduate Assistant in the Student Success Center. In our advising department, I am creating transfer pathways that will allow students from 2-year colleges to transfer to Bellarmine to complete their bachelor's degree. This position captures a full circle moment for me as I am a graduate of Jefferson Community and Technical college and used a transfer pathway to reach my educational goals. It is such rewarding work to serve incoming students by providing them with the resources and guidance I discovered throughout my undergraduate experiences. Through our Study Abroad Office, I am expanding our reach on campus through social media posts to ensure any – and everyone – can take full advantage of the wholistic experiences and opportunities around the world offered to Bellarmine students through our programs. Even though the journey hasn't been easy, Bellarmine is the best decision I have made to enter the next phase of my life.