Texas A&M University-San Antonio will celebrate National Transfer Student Week Oct. 21-25 with events including Trunk or Treat, an outdoor movie and a painting activity to awaken one’s inner Frida Kahlo.
Developed by the National Institute for The Study of Transfer Students, the week celebrates transfer students and helps them feel comfortable and welcomed at their new university. It also aims to tailor resources to their needs, said Juan Espinoza, Transfer Student Engagement coordinator.
The events are primarily hosted by the Office of Transfer Student Engagement with help from the Campus Activities Board. This is the first time A&M-San Antonio will mark the occasion with weeklong events.
As A&M-San Antonio grows and welcomes more freshmen, the university wants to ensure transfer students are still recognized in that journey, said Alyssa Lilly, CAB’s event coordinator.
“We don’t want to lose sight of our transfer students,” Lilly said.
‘Painting with a Transfer’ to inspire transfer students Oct. 23
The Office of Transfer Student Engagement will host an evening of painting and socializing exclusively for transfer students, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 in the auditorium.
The office has partnered with Painting with a Twist, a business where customers can paint alongside friends and family while guided by an instructor, to bring the free activity to transfer students.
Since Painting with a Twist’s locations are mainly on the Northside of San Antonio, Espinoza said he thought it would be great to bring it to campus.
“Painting is very therapeutic,” Espinoza said. “The excitement of a new semester is starting to fade away; students are starting to get assignment after assignment and tests are starting to build up so we wanted to provide a little bit of escape from all that.”
Several students who have signed up have never been to Painting with a Twist, so being able to provide that experience is great, Espinoza said.
His office will serve sparkling cider and mocktails to give the full experience of Painting with a Twist, where painters usually sip on alcoholic drinks while painting. Students will paint a customizable rustic Texas image, with the silhouette of Texas that has a banner across it where they can write whatever they please.
The event is capped at 40 students; 32 have already reserved their spots.
For more information, visit https://tamusa.campuslabs.com/engage/event/4960936 or email juan.espinoza@tamusa.edu.
Campus to enjoy Trunk or Treat and ‘Hocus Pocus’ Oct. 25
Student clubs and campus departments will hand out snacks to trick-or-treaters at Trunk or Treat 7-8 p.m. Oct. 25 in front of Patriots’ Casa, followed by a screening of “Hocus Pocus” on the East Lawn.
“It’s a great way to just go get some free snacks and enjoy a movie without having to go off campus,” Lilly said.
Each student organization or department will park a vehicle in front of Patriots’ Casa and decorate the trunk.
They will hand out pretzels, chips, water, sodas, popcorn balls, trail mix and other snacks “that are a little more substantial” since the event occurs around dinnertime, Espinoza said, adding that free hot dogs will be available during the movie.
To participate in Trunk or Treat, organizations and offices must sign up on JagSync by Oct. 22, Espinoza said. There is room for 14 vehicles.
“There’s also going to be a winner for the best trunk,” Lilly said.
CAB is asking organizations to cover their food cost if they have enough funds for it.
“We don’t want to discourage smaller groups from being part of it, so we are willing to work with them,” Lilly said.
The movie will begin shortly after Trunk or Treat ends. “Hocus Pocus,” released in 1993, stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy. It tells the story of three 17th-century witches who are brought back to life in modern times.
“It’s something that is family friendly, and it’s kind of nostalgic for a lot of us,” Lilly said. “Even some of the (freshmen) … watched it when they were younger.”
For more information, visit the event’s JagSync page or email transfer@tamusa.edu.
Other National Transfer Student Week events include:
- National Transfer Week Kickoff 10 a.m.- noon Oct. 21 in the Madla Lobby, first floor.
- Graduate & Professional School Fair 2-4 p.m. Oct. 22 in the Vista Room of the Central Academic Building.
- Breakfast Bonanza 8:30-10:30 a.m., or until supplies last, Oct. 24 campuswide.
