Transfer and Commuter Services House Opens Fall
Lee University recently opened the Transfer and Commuter Services House, a unit within the Student Life and Success sector, for the purpose of helping transfer and commuting students connect and engage with the on-campus community. The office is located on the corner of Paul Conn Parkway and 11th Street.
The office was created with the purpose of providing Lee’s commuter and transfer students with a supportive environment in which to rest, do homework, and get involved and connected with Lee’s on-campus facilities, programs, and activities.
“We found out that many of our commuters were sleeping, eating, and studying in their cars because they didn’t have anywhere to go between classes,” said Genesis Itzep, coordinator of commuter and transfer services. “Knowing this created the need to set aside a place for these students to build a community.”
With 40% of Lee’s student population being commuter and transfer students, Transfer and Commuter Services provides a place where students can gather on campus to study and provide support to each other academically, socially, and spiritually.
“The Commuter and Transfer House is an answer to prayer that goes beyond what I asked for or could have imagined,” said Noah Miller, a junior transfer and commuter student, “It’s such an organic environment for community and fun, and it serves as a space to decompress in the midst of busyness.”
Since opening, 208 students have visited the office, with an average of 45 students coming by daily to study or connect with one another. The office has hosted several events for its students, including a pre-Convocation dinner, a commuter and transfer cook-off, discussions on spiritual integration, and workshops for class selection.
“We’re thrilled to be able provide a space that is specifically designated for transfer and commuter students; more importantly, these students love it, and the House is buzzing with activities!” said Dr. Suzanne Holt, vice president for Student Life and Success.
Itzep says they also plan to partner with Global Perspectives, Racial and Ethnic Relations, and The Hub (Lee’s Student Success Center) to provide more opportunities for students to connect, grow and become successful during their time at Lee.
“We want to see the students feel supported and successful,” said Itzep. “Being able to provide that support and resources for these students has been a wonderful opportunity for me.”
Itzep graduated from Lee in 2021 and was named coordinator of Transfer and Commuter Services after serving on staff in the records office and School of Business.
For more information about Transfer and Commuter Services, contact Itzep at [email protected].
