Fayrouz Mishak
I am running for Transfer Student Representative to make UC Davis a place where transfer students are not just admitted, but fully supported in building stable, successful, and connected lives on campus. Transfer students arrive with limited time, and too often we are expected to figure everything out on our own. My platform focuses on three areas that directly shape whether transfer students can actually thrive: basic needs, graduate school readiness, and building real community.
First, I want to strengthen access to basic needs. Academic success is impossible when students are worried about housing, food, or balancing caregiving responsibilities. Transfer students disproportionately include reentry students, student parents, veterans, and other non-traditional students. I will advocate for expanding affordable and accessible child care options by working with campus administration to assess demand, identify gaps, and push for increased funding or partnerships with local providers. I also want to create a one-stop-shop for basic needs, specifically tailored for transfer students that clearly outlines housing support, food resources, emergency grants, and childcare options in one place. In addition, I will push for extended service hours and a designated point of contact within basic needs services for non-traditional students who require more flexible support.
Second, I want to improve graduate school readiness for transfer students. Many transfer students lack early access to research and mentorship, which puts them at a disadvantage when applying to graduate programs. I will work with advising offices and departments to establish transfer-specific academic pathways that connect students to research opportunities within their first quarter. I also plan to organize workshops focused on graduate applications, including how to secure strong letters of recommendation, apply for funding, and prepare competitive statements. In addition, I want to develop a mentorship initiative that pairs transfer students with graduate students or faculty in their field, so they have consistent guidance throughout their time at UC Davis rather than having to seek it out on their own.
Finally, I want to help transfer students find their community in a meaningful and lasting way. Orientation is not enough to build real connections. I will advocate for a structured transfer mentorship program that pairs incoming students with continuing transfers to provide guidance during their transition. I also want to expand transfer-specific events throughout the year—such as small-group mixers, academic cohort meetups, and interest-based gatherings—so students can build relationships beyond their classes. Additionally, I will work to strengthen collaboration between transfer organizations and broader campus groups to ensure transfer students are fully integrated into campus life rather than siloed from it.