For transfer students, the first weeks on a new campus offer a host of opportunities but can feel a little unsettling too. Some find balance through supportive classmates and campus activities; others look to academic departments and clubs that match their passions.
Junior Class Dean Francine Bonneville is part of the broad network of individuals who help guide transfer students during their time at Pomona.
“Working with transfer students is one of the greatest privileges I have as a class dean,” says Bonneville. “They are resilient, resourceful individuals who may face unique challenges, yet continue to show up, do their best and persevere from the moment they arrive.”
Transfers begin their time as Sagehens with an orientation designed to help them adjust academically and socially. Throughout the year, class deans create opportunities for connection and provide ongoing guidance. Students are connected to campus resources, faculty mentorship, research opportunities and peer networks so they can integrate quickly and confidently into the community.
Kobe Leonor ’27 and Téa Samia ’27 share their experiences of navigating their first semester at Pomona.
Kobe Leonor ’27
Moving from New York City to the opposite coast was a leap Leonor was eager to take. Coming from the Bronx and studying at the Borough of Manhattan Community College, he had long dreamed of seeing something completely different. “I wanted to go as far as I could from New York,” he says. But distance alone was not enough; affordability mattered just as much.
When Pomona admissions staff visited his community college, his honors program advisor encouraged him to consider the school. Leonor had never been to California, but he sensed he would love it. And when he realized attending Pomona could be financially possible, the decision fell into place.
Since arriving this fall, Leonor has been exploring his academic interests. Though he studied English in community college, being at Pomona has opened new possibilities. “I’ve been changing it up every two weeks,” he says. Having explored the connection between literature and history, Leonor is now leaning toward majoring in history and perhaps double majoring in English.
His experience as a transfer student has been positive but not without challenges. Coming in as a transfer made him feel slightly out of step at first, especially since most people in his class had already formed friendships. The academic environment was also initially daunting.
But within a month, Pomona started to feel like home. The Orientation Adventure camping trip, all the welcoming students he met, and the general openness of the community helped him feel at home. A few months in, he feels comfortable, connected and genuinely happy, he says.
Campus resources have played a big role, too, including one he didn’t expect: the Green Bikes program. Through a free bike rental, he could get around more easily, explore campus and feel confident navigating his new environment. “I’m never late to anything now,” he says. Beyond that, his professors across The Claremont Colleges have been supportive and engaging.
For future transfer students, his advice is simple: “Show up.”
“There’s a ton of events all the time, and honestly, a lot of us didn’t want to go at first because we were so tired after orientation,” Leonor says. “But I’d say, ‘Just go.’ You meet so many people that way.”
Téa Samia ’27
Growing up in California in San Clemente and Culver City, Samia began her college journey at Santa Monica College before deciding to transfer to Pomona. With an interest in art, she was drawn to Pomona’s approach to connecting disciplines. “I loved the way Pomona embraced the intersectionality of all fields of study,” she says. Using the arts to explore and elevate topics she cares about was a priority, and Pomona offered opportunities to do that.
Adjusting to campus life, however, came with its own learning curve. After being at a commuter school, living on campus for the first time was a new experience. At Pomona, she could linger after class without worrying about traffic, spend extra hours in the art studio and focus on her education—not logistics. “It’s all still very fresh, but I genuinely walk around campus feeling so grateful that I am here,” she says.
Much of her sense of belonging has come from the communities she has joined. The Art Department quickly became a home base, surrounding her with creative peers and collaborative energy. She has already helped organize projects—from a pop-up art show in the gym to the junior class art show—that strengthened her relationships and made her feel part of something bigger. The transfer cohort has also been meaningful, offering support during the transition and helping her form some of her closest friendships.
She has found purpose through involvement in End Overdose, a club that aligns with her passion for promoting substance abuse awareness and harm reduction. Being part of a group driven by the same mission has grounded her and given her space to contribute to something she cares deeply about.
One of her favorite moments so far at Pomona was returning to campus after the Orientation Adventure trip and exploring campus with her new friends. They barely slept out of excitement, she says.
For students considering transferring to Pomona, her guidance is, “Trust yourself.”
“Every day I find a new reason why it was the perfect fit for me,” she says. “But it’s really about what you want for yourself—and there are so many possibilities.”