The picture-perfect college experience invites us to imagine hallowed halls of academic excellence, lazy days on the quad, close relationships with faculty, and groups of friends laughing in decked-out dorms that serve as their home for four years.
For commuter and transfer students, this vision may look a little different.
Making up an unexpectedly large proportion of the student population, commuter and transfer students at Le Moyne have to seek other ways to get to know our campus, primarily through joining clubs and taking part in social events that allow us access to new friendships and connections.
However, commuter and transfer students can be at a disadvantage when it comes to taking part in such activities. Club events are often held late at night when commuters are no longer on campus, and transfer students sometimes struggle to find their footing when they feel friend groups have already been established.
Phins Alliance, a new program sponsored by Le Moyne’s Wellness Ambassadors and the Tau Sigma Transfer Honor Society, aims to quell those fears of being left out.
Founded by Megan Dwyer, a senior sociology major as well as a commuter and transfer student, Phins Alliance has already held two meetings, one of which was a S’Mores and More event held in the Drescher Community Room of the Panasci Family Chapel. Students enjoyed pizza from Mario & Salvo’s, s’mores over an open fire, and great conversations.
“They loved connecting with staff and meeting more students,” Megan said of the event. “I wanted to give transfer and commuter students a space to connect with one another. They both share similar experiences and I felt it would be beneficial to have a community between the two.”
I’ve been fortunate enough to know Megan since high school, where her leadership and passion for the mental health and wellbeing of others was already shining through. After graduating in 2021, Megan went on to attend Cazenovia College, but due to financial struggles, the college closed just two years into her undergraduate. Fortunately, through a partnership with Cazenovia, Le Moyne welcomed students like Megan to continue their education as Dolphins.
“When I arrived at [Le Moyne] I really struggled with still feeling like a Caz Wildcat while taking on this new identity as a Dolphin,” Megan said. “I didn’t feel like I fit in anywhere due to this dual identity. Plus, being a commuter brings its own challenges.”
Megan found solace in Dolphins Changing Minds, a one credit course with the option to be accredited as a Le Moyne College Wellness Ambassador upon completion. Once she took this opportunity, Megan says, “Things took off for me…and it’s been history ever since!”
Now a Wellness Ambassador for the college and a Wellness Coordinator for the Tau Sigma Transfer Honor Society, Megan hopes to give students the ability to steer meeting agendas and decide what they’d like to talk about or see done through Phins Alliance.
“If they want resources, I can provide that. [Maybe] a place to talk about what they need, a distraction from the stressors that come with being a student, opportunities to meet new friends, etc.”
The next meeting of Phins Alliance will take place on November 20 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Reilly Hall 338, with the final meeting of the semester being held on December 4. Meetings are open to any and all commuter and transfer students at Le Moyne.
“I hope to help these two populations feel a sense of belonging at Le Moyne that they may not already have,” Megan said. “To connect with people who understand the commuter and/or transfer student experience firsthand.”
With students like Megan striving to make campus a better place for others, commuters and transfers are sure to feel a new sense of belonging at Le Moyne. We should all try to insert ourselves in efforts such as these, and with any hope staff and fellow students will welcome this new program with open arms and help spread the word. The more people who know about it, the more inclusive and enjoyable campus will be for all.
Thank you, Megan—we appreciate your passion for wanting to help the commuter and transfer population!
