LMU Celebrates National Transfer Student Week

Alexis Nagler ‘26, a double major in psychology and political science with a minor in Jewish studies, from Los Angeles, came to LMU initially by taking a campus tour with her dad. After seeing the campus, she describes the experience as “mind-blowing.” “Even being from Los Angeles, I wasn’t completely aware of LMU before coming to campus to take a tour,” said Nagler. “As a first-generation student, my family and I were really new to the whole process. During the campus tour, we had a really awesome tour guide who really seemed to know everyone on campus walking by. I didn’t know what college was supposed to look like, but seeing those interactions I knew this is the place I wanted to be. It’s so friendly and I want to know everyone, just like my tour guide.”

 

Nagler began her college journey with the Accelerating Transfer and Low-income Access and Success (ATLAS) program by spending a year at Santa Monica Community College, after which she transferred to LMU. While at Santa Monica Community College, her access to a OneCard allowed her and other students to come onto campus for events and eased feelings of isolation.

 

Nagler now serves as the vice president of the Residence Hall Association and a research assistant in the psychological science department, with a focus on cross-cultural and neuro psychology. She also co-founded EurAsian Lions, a registered student organization that she now leads as president, serving as a cultural club that celebrates Central Asian, Middle Eastern, and Central European students to explore their shared cultural heritage. As Nagler looks toward graduation in the spring, her plan is to attend law school and pursue a career as an immigration attorney.

 

Jacob Navarro ‘26, a journalism major and economics minor from Monterey Park, also transferred to LMU through the ATLAS Program. The ATLAS Program partners with select community colleges to support eligible students through resources, mentorship, and engagement during their transfer process. Navarro previously attended East Los Angeles College and now serves as an ATLAS Peer Advisor. “Honestly, what made me fully commit to LMU was the sense of acceptance the school gave to me,” said Navarro. “As an ATLAS student, I was given the opportunity to attend different events with alumni or other pathway students, and for every one that I went to, my relationship with LMU continued to grow. Those events made me feel like I was a student before I was officially a student.”

 

One of those events was a social gathering with other students and alumni hosted at someone’s home in Pasadena, which gave Navarro a sense of community even before taking classes at LMU. “In my first year at LMU, I got set up with roommates who were all transfer students, so we got to experience our first year at LMU together as sophomores,” said Navarro. “Even though we had all come from different locations and different schools, we had the opportunity to learn what it was like to be an LMU student together, and it went really well. Now two years later, I still share a room with my roommate, and we’ve just continued to grow at LMU.”

 

Navarro works as a student assistant in LMU’s Financial Aid office, helping students connect with financial aid counselors so they can have their questions answered. He also has served as a peer advisor for the ATLAS program for the past two years, speaking with students one-on-one over Zoom or talking to students or parents on the phone who have been accepted into the ATLAS program. Navarro also helps invite students to events on campus, like the men’s basketball game this past weekend or various theatre productions.

 

Mikaela Corella ‘25, a health and human sciences major from Long Beach, came to LMU from El Camino College through the ATLAS program after completing one year. “I was drawn to LMU because it was a smaller community. Coming from smaller schools previously, I felt like the smaller size would allow me to have more one-on-one conversations and more support from faculty and staff,” said Corella. “LMU was also not super far from home. I’m very close with my family, so I didn’t want to be too far from them.”

 

The ATLAS program helped Corella transition to LMU and provided her with advisors at both El Camino College and LMU. “I was able to navigate the process in a way that worked for me,” said Corella. “Having advisors at both schools made things much easier.” Her advice to future transfer students is to reach out and not be afraid to connect with others. “Coming in during COVID, I was hesitant at first, but the more I reached out, the more opportunities and involvement at LMU I found.”

 

Corella participated in the McNair Scholars program and completed a research project on “Food and Mood” with Professor Hawley Almstedt from the Health and Human Sciences department. In 2022, Corella was able to present at the McNair Scholars Conference at UCLA to present the research. Outside of academics, she’s a member of the Lions for Medicine Club, various book clubs, and is a big fan of music festivals. Upon completing her time at LMU, Corella plans to pursue a doctorate degree in naturopathic medicine, with the ultimate goal of establishing her own private practice, where she can offer a more holistic approach to medicine.

 

Frank Captanis ‘26, a management and leadership major from Torrance, transferred to LMU from El Camino College due to the smaller class sizes and the close connections with professors. In middle school, he had come on a tour that really opened his eyes to what his college experience could look like. “The community aspect of being more than just a number was really important for me,” said Captannis. “My advice to students, especially local students, would be getting outside of campus and exploring the local area, it’s something I’m looking to do before graduation.”

 

Captannis works in Enrollment Management as a peer advisor for the ATLAS program, helping connect incoming transfer students with useful resources. He also works with LMU Athletics’ facilities team to support basketball and volleyball game operations. He also serves as the president of the Sports Business Association. “The club was founded the same year I transferred to LMU, and I went to the first meeting and got more involved in the second year,” said Captannis. “That’s been a really cool full-circle moment for me, especially because what I want to do after LMU is working in sports management. Recently, we hosted a panel of LMU alumni who have used their skills to work in the sport management industry.” For the past two summers, Captannis has also worked at the Los Angeles Rams Training Camp on campus at LMU. “Having access to learn from all of the Rams professionals was a really cool experience, each morning they would bring in different guest speakers to come speak with us on campus,” said Captannis.

 

Kendra Luis ‘26, a business marketing major from Los Angeles who transferred from Santa Monica College, came to LMU because of the number of opportunities available to get involved with the campus community. In her second semester at LMU, Luis served as a fall orientation leader and thoroughly enjoyed the experience of learning from the resources she was teaching to other students. Luis is also a first-generation student and spent a lot of time with the former Ignacio Student Support Services program and the Academic Resource Center. “My advice to incoming transfer students or first-generation students is to get involved, put yourself out there, and do it even if it scares you,” said Luis. “Be open and connect with people because you never know when it will turn into an opportunity.” For Luis, one of those opportunities was Monica Gamez, who worked with Ignacio Student Support Services and helped connect her with Karen Arizmendi, who works in the Student Transitions and Success office. After connecting with Arizmendi, she secured a job as a transfer student engagement specialist, supporting other transfer students and planning events.

 

Luis describes her experience at LMU as transformative: “I feel like I really have changed during my time here at LMU, even my sister says she’s noticed a change in me and how involved with the campus I have become,” said Luis. “I’m willing to seek new experiences, and I became more motivated by coming to LMU. I realized I could do more than I was giving myself credit for, and everyone here at LMU wants you to do your best.”

 

Kendra Pantino ‘28, a health and human sciences major, from New Jersey transferred to LMU from a community college in New Jersey following in the footsteps of her brother who had also gone to school at LMU. “I came here because of my brother, he just graduated this past spring in 2025, and LMU feels like it just became part of my family,” said Pantino. “This campus is beautiful and peaceful, it’s smaller, and I feel like I prefer a smaller campus environment.”

 

Pantino works in the Student Transitions and Success office as a transfer engagement specialist and has also recently joined the Astronomy Club on campus. In her work at the office, she is involved in programs such as Wellness Wednesday, where she helps organize events and provides information for transfer students, as well as assists with events like LMU Family Weekend. Her advice to incoming transfer students is to find a schedule that works best for both working on or off campus and keeping up with your academics. “Never be afraid to reach out and meet new people, that’s how I’ve been able to make friends here at LMU,” said Pantino. “I stepped outside of my comfort zone and we’re really good friends now.” As Pantino looks to the future, she’s interested in pursuing a career that falls somewhere between working in nutrition and dietary support or working as a kindergarten teacher.

 

National Transfer Student Week is more than just a celebration at LMU. The campus community strives to ensure that every transfer student feels supported and equipped to succeed and thrive. Join us as we recognize their stories, amplify their voices, and strengthen the LMU transfer experience. View the full week of events here:

 

Monday, Oct. 20, Palm South Quad, 5-7 p.m.
Transfermation: A Haunted Welcome
Kick things off with a spooky social just for transfers! Join the Transfer Living Learning Community (TRLLC) and Transfer Programs for Transfermation: A Haunted Welcome – a Halloween-themed night filled with treats, costumes, and good vibes.

Expect free food, fun activities, pumpkin painting, and plenty of chances to meet new friends and celebrate your transfer journey. Costumes are encouraged (but not required) — come as you are or as your spookiest self.

 

Wednesday, Oct. 22, Alumni Mall, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Celebrate Transfers at Wellness Wednesday
It’s a chill, feel-good event to keep you grounded and grateful. Take a midweek break with us! Swing by Wellness Wednesday to:

Thursday, Oct. 30, Bowlero, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Transfer and Veteran Bowling Night
All transfer and veteran students are invited to a free bowling night – shoes, games, food, and good times are all on us.

Whether you’re here to show off your bowling skills, meet new people, or just hang out and relax, this night’s for you.