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Maranda Stricklin

Major: Microbiology

  • Where did you transfer from? Ohio University
  • What do you enjoy most about VT or your major? I enjoy the wide course range and dedicated professors doing active research in the course subject they teach.
  • What is one piece of advice you would give to a potential transfer student? Get involved fast. There's a lot to do at VT and not a lot of time to do it as a transfer, always make the most of every event even if its tiny.
  • What do you hope to be doing in ten years? I hope to have completed a Ph.D. program and working in the Army as a virologist.
  • Do you have any campus involvements and/or achievements you want to highlight? I do undergraduate research in both a Arbovirology Lab (Auguste Lab) and with the Paleobiology research group.

John Cole

Major: Psychology

  • Where did you transfer from? Mountain Gateway Community College
  • What do you enjoy most about VT or your major? What I enjoy most about Virginia Tech is the welcoming campus community, the strong sense of culture, and the incredible support from faculty and staff. During my first semester, the Psychology Transfer Student Course helped me fully embrace Hokie life and introduced me to the Teen Lab at the Child Study Center. That experience ultimately led to my current position as a Teaching Assistant, where I now have the opportunity to support and connect with newly transferred Hokies, just as others once supported me.
  • What is one piece of advice you would give to a potential transfer student? Congrats, you're now a Hokie! Embrace it and don't think because you didn't spend all four years in Blacksburg that you aren't part of the culture. Jump into completing as much of the Hokie Bucket List as you can! 
  • What do you hope to be doing in ten years? In ten years, I plan to work as a school counselor in a public school, helping students navigate challenges, discover their strengths, and maximize every opportunity. My goal is to support and inspire them to become the best versions of themselves, both academically and personally.
  • Do you have any campus involvements and/or achievements you want to highlight? 
    • Teen Lab Undergraduate Research Assistant - Child Study Center
    • Teaching Assistant - Psychology Transfer Student Course
    • Intramural Sports - Softball, Volleyball, Pickleball, and Dodgeball
    • Fralin Undergraduate Research Fellow
    • Mary Nolen Blackwood Scholarship Awardee, Fall 2025

Jasmine Floyd

Major: Geoscience

  • Where did you transfer from? Roanoke College
  • What do you enjoy most about VT or your major? As a Geosciences major with the Geophysics option, I love that our program combines hands-on field experiences with a broad scientific foundation. I love how many field trips we have! Plus the interdisciplinary focus and abundance of research opportunities at Virginia Tech make learning both exciting and super rewarding.
  • What is one piece of advice you would give to a potential transfer student? Don't be afraid to try again! Whether it's joining a club, getting involved in research, or going to events around town, there's a home for everyone in Blacksburg. You'll find your place before you know it.
  • What do you hope to be doing in ten years? In ten years, I hope to be a professor conducting research in geophysics and mentoring students after completing a Ph.D.!
  • Do you have any campus involvements and/or achievements you want to highlight? I work as an undergraduate researcher in the Geodesy and Tectonophysics Lab (GTL), where I help study how Earth's surface moves using GNSS data. It's been such a great way to learn real research skills and get involved in the geoscience community!

Gabriel Ferrin

Major: Biological Sciences

  • Where did you transfer from? Germanna Community College
  • What do you enjoy most about VT or your major? I enjoy the vast landscape that Virginia Tech proudly sits on. I love the surrounding areas, the mountains, the trails, the rivers. Most people here are very kind and welcoming and I don't have many complaints.
  • What is one piece of advice you would give to a potential transfer student? For the love of everything please choose a good roommate, it will affect you more than you think.
  • What do you hope to be doing in ten years? In ten years, I will be an orthopedic surgical resident at a hospital in an urban city. This has been a goal of mine ever since I began my journey nearly 3 years ago. Despite all my hardships (multiple broken bones, joints, and multiple surgeries), I will overcome.
  • Do you have any campus involvements and/or achievements you want to highlight? Not at the moment but I hope to be more involved next Spring!

Kaitlyn Clark

Major: Criminology and Psychology

  • Where did you transfer from? Bridgewater College
  • What do you enjoy most about VT or your major? They have my major, criminology and the community is great and everyone looks out of each other
  • What is one piece of advice you would give to a potential transfer student? Living in the Transfer LLC and join different clubs in order to find your friends
  • What do you hope to be doing in ten years? I hope to be working full time in Law enforcement and be married
  • Do you have any campus involvements and/or achievements you want to highlight? I am a member of the VT Women's Rugby Club where I am the Match Secretary! I am also in the transfer honor society, and the criminal justice honor society! I am also a sweetheart for the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity.

Daniel Stark

Major: Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience

  • Where did you transfer from? Northern Virginia Community College
  • What do you enjoy most about VT or your major? I love the community here. It's very easily become a second home for me, and as a transfer student that means a lot. I'm continually learning about new opportunities, such as the underrated Blacksburg Farmers Market!
  • Do you have any campus involvements and/or achievements you want to highlight? I'm proud to be part of the exec for NeuroClub, bringing informative guest speakers,  volunteer outreach and social events to our members. Our goal is to create a welcoming community for neuro majors and equip students entering into the major with resources and knowledge about research opportunities, potential career paths and so forth.

Megan Gardner

Major: Biomedical Science

  • Where did you transfer from? Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC)
  • What do you enjoy most about VT or your major? Something I love about VT is that there are so many opportunities to do research on campus! Being in the lab is my favorite, and I aspire to be apart of something that can make a huge impact in the science world. I'm applying to partake in cancer research this spring!
  • What is one piece of advice you would give to a potential transfer student? Last winter, I had a virtual meeting with a transfer advisor on which classes would be best to take if I wanted to come to Tech, and that was really helpful to me. They gave general application advice, too. I highly recommend looking into it!
  • What do you hope to be doing in ten years? Either working in the lab doing cancer research, or working in the cardiovascular OR as a perfusionist!
  • Do you have any campus involvements and/or achievements you want to highlight? I love being a part of the Catholic Campus Ministry! I've met some of the nicest people there, and it is such a great environment. From bible study to volleyball games, there's so much fun to be had while also deepening my connection with God. I'm proud to be a Catholic Hokie!