Connect With a Transfer Mentor
Transfer Mentors are caring transfer students who will welcome and assist with your transition to Pepperdine. The Transfer Mentors, who have already successfully transitioned to Pepperdine, will share strategies and resources and will work on getting you connected so you can thrive in your new learning and living environment.
Check out what our Transfer Mentors have to say about their Pepperdine transfer experience and email them any questions that you may have!
Name: Brandon Kocz
Hometown: Westchester, NY
Major: Psychology
Transferred from: San Diego State University
Why I transferred to Pepperdine: I worked with Pepperdine students in high school and loved how personable they were.
Pepperdine Involvement: Transfer Mentor
Advice for prospective transfer students: Say yes to as many opportunities as you can!
Email: brandon.kocz@pepperdine.edu
Name: Brian Wagner
Hometown: Castle Rock, CO
Major: Sports Medicine
Transferred from: Arapahoe Community College & Santa Monica College
Why I transferred to Pepperdine: I have four other siblings who are also attending Pepperdine so I decided I would carry on the trend.
Pepperdine Involvement: Co-founder of Pepperdine Car club, Captain of an ESports team, & Entrepreneurship club
Advice for prospective transfer students: Be sure to put yourself out there and meet some new friends you never know just how much the relationships you build at college could change your life.
Email: brian.wagner@pepperdine.edu
Name: Catherine Reyes-Higueros
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Major: Communication
Transferred from: Santa Monica College
Why I transferred to Pepperdine: I chose to transfer to Pepperdine University because I noticed that it possessed an incredibly diverse community. As a Communications major and first-generation Latina college student, I highly prioritize the importance of diversity and inclusivity viewing it as an important component in this ongoing process of enculturation. I also must admit that the fact that Pepperdine’s campus is awfully close to the beach definitely made my decision to transfer here quite easier.
Pepperdine Involvement: Orientation Leader, Transfer Mentor
Advice for prospective transfer students: Don’t be afraid to ask questions! A lot of times we tend to make mistakes because we are afraid of asking for clarity in regards to classes among many other things. I would also recommend making your academic advisors your new best friend. Remember that they are ultimately there to help you choose the right classes and facilitate your transfer process. And lastly, as a transfer student myself I know how intimidating the transfer process can be but don’t let that fear impede you from applying to the schools you want to go to.
Name: Diamond Longs
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Major: Communication
Transferred from: College of the Canyons
Why I transferred to Pepperdine: I fell in love with the campus and the community.
Pepperdine Involvement: Transfer Mentor, Pepperdine Step Team, Assistant Director of Celebration Chapel / Seaver 200, Vice President of Worship, Word Up, The Well, Alpha Omega, Black Student Association
Advice for prospective transfer students: Put yourself out there! I met a lot of my friends by volunteering for events and through clubs. Also, being at a new school with all new people can feel lonely at times, if you begin to feel that way, your feelings are absolutely valid. Remember there are so many opportunities to meet some amazing people on campus who are just waiting to meet a person like you.
Email: diamond.longs@pepperdine.edu
Name: Josiah Swift
Hometown: Albany, NY
Major: Psychology / Industrial-organizational Psychology
Transferred from: Hudson Valley Community College (Troy, NY)
Why I transferred to Pepperdine: I transferred to Pepperdine because of the reputable psychology program and the location.
Pepperdine Involvement: Library Ambassador, Career Coaching Program Mentee, Transfer Student Mentor since Spring 2020
Advice for prospective transfer students: Be grateful and excited for all of the wonderful opportunities that God is bringing into your life!
Email: josiah.swift@pepperdine.edu
Name: Julianna Wagner
Hometown: Castle Rock, CO
Major: International Studies with an Asian focus and Fine Arts
Transferred from: Arapahoe Community College & Santa Monica College
Why I transferred to Pepperdine: I transferred to Pepperdine for the community, church, and connections.
Pepperdine Involvement: Esports Competitor, Art department Assistant Manager
Advice for prospective transfer students: Pepperdine is a wonderful place to transfer to and make connections with people from all over the world!
Name: Kiara (Kiki) Jackson
Hometown: Severn, MD
Major: Clinical Psychology (Master's program)
Graduated from: University Of Mount Olive
Why Pepperdine: I loved Pepperdine for not only its location but also its amazing clinical psych program and small classes.
Advice for prospective transfer students: Go to as many events as possible to make connections with people!
Email: kiara.jackson@pepperdine.edu
Name: Kristina Chavez
Hometown: Montebello, CA
Major: Economics
Transferred from: Pasadena City College
Why I transferred to Pepperdine: I transferred to Pepperdine because of the beautiful campus, the tight-knit community, and challenging academics.
Pepperdine Involvement: Japanese Student Union, Latinx Student Alliance, Intramural Volleyball, Transfer Alliance
Advice for prospective transfer students: Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there! Join clubs and intramural sports or help out with NSO to meet new people.
Name: Kylie Jones
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX
Major: International Studies (Global Politics), French minor
Transferred from: Tarrant County College (Fort Worth, TX)
Why I transferred to Pepperdine: I chose Pepperdine because it provided the small, close-knit, Christian community that I was seeking. Their robust study abroad program was also well-suited to my global interests.
Pepperdine Involvement: Director of Education for Model UN, Transfer Mentor, Sigma Iota Rho (international studies honor society), International Justice Mission, Les Petites Conversations, Black Student Association
Advice for prospective transfer students: Get involved! As a transfer, finding those clubs and communities on campus will help your transition feel seamless. Getting involved in clubs like Model UN and intramural sports was so important to my smooth acclimation to Pepperdine.
Email: kylie.jones@pepperdine.edu
Name: Samantha Ortega
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Major: International Business
Transferred from: University of Washington - Seattle
Why I transferred to Pepperdine: I wanted to switch majors to business and UW made it difficult to, so I transferred to Pepperdine.
Pepperdine Involvement: Transfer Mentor, Japanese Student Union, Resilience-Informed Skills Education (RISE)
Advice for prospective transfer students: Don't be afraid to go into office hours to just get to know your professors, because they are always willing to get to know you :) Goes the same way for reaching out to potential friends!