Transferring colleges brought a mix of excitement and challenges as students adapted to new environments, classrooms and communities.
Eliana Posada, senior public relations major and volleyball player, knew firsthand what it meant to switch schools as a college athlete. Born and raised in Texas, Posada’s path took her from the University of Pittsburgh to California Baptist University, where she encountered both challenges and blessings.
“Transferring, in general, is an extremely unique experience for each individual,” Posada said. “I chose CBU because of its location in Southern California and the trust I’d built with the coaching staff at the time.”
Despite her excitement, Posada quickly realized the transition would be harder than expected.
“CBU provides a great foundation where I have been able to grow from a holistic perspective,” Posada said. “I value the interpersonal skills I’ve gained from transferring here.”
For many student-athletes, transferring felt like stepping into the unknown. Adjusting to a new school environment could be academically and socially overwhelming.
“Socially, it’s really hard to transfer to CBU. There are plenty of school events, but having a student-athlete’s schedule makes it hard to meet other athletes,” Posada said.
Balancing academics, practice and travel left little time for building new connections outside the team. Despite the hurdles, Posada’s time at CBU proved to be rewarding.
“Like any transfer story, there was plenty of culture shock, but now, after attending school here for two years, I can confirm that CBU has become a huge blessing in my life.”
Her experience reflected a reality that many student-athletes faced. According to the NCAA, transferring was a crucial decision requiring careful consideration of academic goals, athletic opportunities, and personal factors. While transferring could disrupt academic progression and eligibility to compete immediately, it also brought new opportunities. The NCAA reported that transfer students often took longer to graduate, but those who approached the transition with the right mindset gained a newfound opportunity to grow.
Posada’s experience aligned with this perspective.
“Transferring can be a critical turning point,” the NCAA guidelines suggest, “but when approached with the right mindset, it can also be a time for personal growth, new relationships, and a renewed sense of purpose.”
Posada found this to be true, experiencing academic growth and a stronger sense of community at CBU. Looking back, she reflected on how much she had grown throughout her college career.
“I’ve grown in ways I never thought possible,” she said.
Her journey from Texas to Pittsburgh and now to Southern California had been anything but easy. Yet, it shaped her into the person she was today—a dedicated student, an intentional friend and a driven athlete.
As Posada prepares to graduate from CBU, she embodied the resilience of many student-athletes. Her story attested to the challenges and rewards of transferring schools and served as a reminder of the strength and growth that came from stepping out of one’s comfort zone.
CBU’s Athletics Department, in line with its mission to “honor Christ through excellence in athletics” (Romans 12:1), remained committed to helping student-athletes thrive academically and athletically.
The department’s mission emphasized building a university that prepared athletes to compete for championships while also serving and growing as individuals. The support provided by CBU’s athletics program aligned with Posada’s experience, equipping her to excel both in her sport and academic journey.
