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This fall, Christopher Newport has welcomed a near record number of transfer students, thanks to increased efforts to streamline the transfer process and help new Captains quickly find their place on campus.
At the beginning of the semester, 191 transfer students had enrolled at CNU, the most since the fall of 2013 and the second highest number in 15 years.
“We are very transfer friendly,” said Dr. Evanne Raible, Senior Director of Transfer and Student Success Services. “We really work hard to make the students feel welcome.”
And those efforts are working, according to Maddie Collier, ‘25 Biology. When she “wasn’t enjoying” the first college she attended, Collier set out in search of the right school. When she stepped onto Christopher Newport’s campus, she knew she was right where she needed to be.
“I chose CNU because I researched student life and involvement. The campus felt much brighter and I found there was a lot more to do. I made so many friends coming in and continue to make friends in classes and clubs, and I even joined the chemistry fraternity on campus,” she said.
Collier immersed herself and felt right at home when she arrived.
“My experience was really nice. The welcoming traditions were very fun. I learned so much about resources on campus, and felt like faculty really wanted to be here,” she said.
CNU has put a renewed focus on attracting transfer students like Collier, hoping they discover a warm campus community where they can thrive, Raible said.
“We want them to know that they belong here,” she said.
To make transferring a smooth process, the Transfer Center has been created on campus to work with students both before and during their time at Christopher Newport. Raible said the Center is “a place a student can come with any questions about the entire transfer process.”
“We offer hands-on, personalized support. From selecting the right courses that transfer to CNU and walking with them through the admission process to registering for their first semester of classes at CNU and sharing and referring to campus resources,” she said. “We want them to know that they can come to us, that we will help them figure it all out here.”
Transfer students form a key component of the CNU community, adding texture to the University's overall fabric with their different life experiences and perspectives.
For Collier, and others who made the decision to become a Captain after starting their educational journey at different schools, the efforts made by Christopher Newport have gone a long way toward easing their worries. Transfer students are provided lots of guidance and orientation opportunities. In addition, new financial assistance is available to them.
“We love our transfer students,” Raible said. “We love showing them that we care, that they matter, and that they belong here. They contribute greatly to our campus culture and community and it’s important to us that they are successful.”
Students transfer to CNU for many reasons, and from many different colleges and universities. This year, 57 percent transferred from schools within the Virginia Community College System. The average transfer GPA was 3.30 and the number one intended major among the transfer students was psychology and the second was business.
Christopher Newport this year has worked to strengthen the relationship with both Virginia Peninsula Community College (VPCC) and Tidewater Community College (TCC) by forging agreements that make the transfer process easier for students interested in seeking a four-year degree. Additional transfer opportunities for students at other VCCS are underway.
Joshua Cutright, ‘25 Psychology, made the leap from VPCC to CNU. He quickly felt comfortable in his new academic home.
“After hearing so many great things about CNU, visiting the campus, and being familiar with the area, it was truly a no brainer,” he said.
Making the move to CNU from VPCC also set Estefany Reyes, ‘26 Economics, on a successful academic and career course. She chose CNU because of the Pre-Law Program. What she discovered was a campus brimming with engaging professors, opportunities for fun, and a vibrant student body.
“People looking to transfer should know that although it may feel odd coming into a new school as a junior, you can still find your people through group projects and clubs. Transferring has more or less moved me one step closer to my goal within my collegiate career,” she said.
For Luis Maldonado, ‘25 Biology, the experience of coming to CNU was equally favorable. After deciding to transfer from VPCC, he set out to find the right school. He visited CNU, and was drawn to its beauty, small class sizes, and engaging professors.
“All of that made CNU the obvious choice for me. From the first interaction with a CNU employee to my last year at the University, I have had no regret on my decision to transfer to CNU,” he said. “Prospective transfer students should know CNU takes a well-rounded approach to student life. It’s not just about academics - there are resources for almost every part of your life.”
Maldonado’s journey to college took a path with important stops along the way. He attended community college and then left school to enlist in the U.S. Navy. After leaving the Navy, he opted to return his focus to obtaining his college degree. And CNU, he decided, was the best place to do it.
Not only did Christopher Newport have the academic field he wanted to pursue, it also was enticing to him because it offered an ROTC program, under which he could minor in Military Science and then serve in the military again, this time as an officer in the Army. He has already been accepted to the commission on active duty once he graduates.
“I returned to school to finish something I didn’t succeed in the first time. Dropping out during my first attempt always felt like unfinished business. After spending nine years in the Navy, I knew I had gained a lot of real world experience, but I also wanted to be more well-rounded,” he said. “Getting my degree was necessary for that, and it was something I knew I needed to prove to myself. Going back to school was about getting it done and opening doors for the future.”