ASU Barrett students help bridge gap for transfer students


portrait of ASU honors student Brett Nachman

Working as part of the Barrett SWAT (Supporting, Welcoming and Assisting Transfers) Team, a student organization at ASU, students Brett Nachman and Mirelle Wright assist transfer students new to the university who are making the transition to Barrett, the Honors College. The organization is based at Barrett's Downtown Phoenix campus location.

The duo hope to spread awareness of their group at the upcoming Clinton Global Initiative University, slated for March 21-23 at Arizona State University.

Nachman, director of the Barrett SWAT Team, and Wright, an active member, entered Barrett as transfer students themselves, and sought to extend awareness of the academic possibilities in store for fellow community college students. Andrian McGhee, director of community outreach for the Barrett SWAT Team, and Nachman founded the group in fall 2012, along with adviser Denise Minter.

The organization recruits prospective transfer students from the community colleges, holds presentations at the institutions and provides mentoring, social events and academic programming for incoming and current transfers at Barrett – specifically on the Downtown Phoenix campus.

In 2013 the Barrett SWAT Team spoke to more than 150 incoming and prospective transfer students at dinners, student panels, community college presentations and other events. Many have since chosen to extend their academic experiences at Barrett Honors College.

Wright selected Barrett, thanks to the Barrett SWAT Team’s presentations at two events she attended while finishing her community college experience.

Nachman and Wright say they hope to demonstrate at the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) how they, as part of the Barrett SWAT Team, serve an often overlooked population of students by easing the transition stage for fellow transfers. In the process they have exemplified how Barrett transfers can not only serve new Barrett students through educational events and opportunities, but also reach out to potential future Barrett students.

They will share these lessons with other students from around the world at CGI U.

In 2007 President Clinton launched CGI U to engage the next generation of leaders on college campuses around the world. The conference is built on the successful model of the Clinton Global Initiative, which brings together world leaders to take action on global challenges. Each year, CGI U hosts a meeting where students, youth organizations, topic experts and celebrities come together to discuss and develop innovative solutions to pressing global challenges.

More information about the Barrett SWAT Team.