Transfer Stars Shine At Allan Hancock College

MAY 18, 2023-- Allan Hancock College student Chelsie Eggers remembers exactly how she felt when she opened her acceptance letter from UC Berkeley. 

“I was overwhelmed with excitement. Speechless,” said Eggers, who is graduating from Hancock with an associate degree in English next week. “It felt like a validation of all the hard work that led up to that point.” 

Eggars is one of hundreds of Hancock 2023 graduates who are transferring to a four-year university to continue their education. She joined 150 of her fellow “transfer stars” at a special celebration at the college’s Santa Maria campus on May 17. Participating students, many wearing apparel from their respective universities, received a commemorative transfer medallion, took photos with their soon-to-be university peers, and listened to messages of support from Hancock staff and their fellow transfer peers.  

“We know that you will be successful,” said Maria Arvizu-Rodriguez, a transfer counselor with Hancock’s University Transfer Center (UTC). “Statistics show that transfer students have a very high rate of success. We are sending you off with our support and best wishes.” 

Hancock encourages students to think about transferring early in their student journey and provides resources and support through the UTC and other programs. This year, Hancock’s graduating class earned an estimated 1,040 degrees for transfer, making up more than 50 percent of all awarded degrees. In addition, the college maintained its streak of having the highest acceptance rate to Cal Poly, SLO, in 2023. Sixty-one percent of Hancock applicants were accepted to become Mustangs. 

Behind those impressive statistics are inspiring students who diligently worked to change their odds at Hancock and achieved their goal to transfer to a university. They include Anselmo Perez, who will be graduating from Hancock and transferring to Fresno State to study media communications and journalism. Perez came to the United States from Oaxaca, Mexico, and did not speak English. After taking noncredit ESL classes through Hancock’s Community Education program, Perez transitioned to credit classes and began working toward his associate degree. 

“In the beginning, it was very challenging, but I knew I had to move forward and go beyond the limits I thought I had for myself,” said Perez. “I thought just passing English 101 was my limit. But I was challenged to think beyond that. I realized that anything is possible and that if you work hard, you can achieve your dreams.” 

Both Perez and Eggers credited Hancock faculty, staff, and administrators for encouraging them to transfer and providing support throughout the process.  

“My professors encouraged me to shoot for the stars and that gave me the boost of confidence I needed to set my goals to transfer and earn a bachelor’s degree, and eventually, a Ph.D,” said Eggers. “I realized I could work to achieve something great.” 

Hancock will celebrate its 102nd graduating class at a commencement ceremony on May 26. To learn more about the UTC, visit  https://www.hancockcollege.edu/utc.