For many transfer students, the decision to continue their education at a new university can feel overwhelming. At Carlow, that experience is shaped by people who truly care about student success. One of them is Jenna DelMonte, an enrollment counselor who joined Carlow less than a year ago and quickly became an advocate for students making this important transition.
Drawing from her own transfer experience, Jenna understands the mix of excitement and hesitation many students feel when considering a new start. For her, the most rewarding part of the job is showing them that Carlow is more than just a place to continue their studies. It’s a community that wants them to succeed.
We sat down with Jenna to learn more about how her work reflects the heart of Carlow’s Mercy mission of meeting students where they are and helping them see what’s possible at a university devoted to their future.
Can you tell us about your role at Carlow?
I’ve been at Carlow for about eight months now. I’m an enrollment counselor in our admissions office, working primarily with transfer and graduate education programs. A special part of my role is also working with all international students, from traditional first-years up to the doctorate level.
Why is working with transfer students meaningful to you?
I always say you’re not starting over at Carlow. You’re building on what you’ve already achieved with people who want to see you succeed. Our team really tries to take that feeling of uncertainty and make the process easy. We’re with you every step of the way, and you’ll never feel silly for reaching out, even with the smallest questions.
Do you have a story that shows how Carlow supports transfer students?
I worked with a transfer student who had a really bad experience at her previous school. She was nervous about trying again. After connecting her with some of our offices and services, she emailed me a few weeks later saying how nice everyone had been and how it completely changed her mind about coming back to higher education. That moment really stuck with me. It reminded me I’m in the right spot and doing what I’m meant to do.
How does the transfer experience at Carlow compare to traditional first-year students?
First-years are often just excited to start college, but transfers usually know what they’re looking for. They’ve made a choice to come here, and even if they’re on the fence, we have a great way of showing them this is more than just a school. It’s a community that will support you and help you thrive.
What makes Carlow’s approach to transfer students stand out?
We have a very personalized approach. For example, we have a student success coordinator whose whole job is to work with transfer students and make the process as smooth as possible. Students also get transfer evaluations that clearly show what credits will carry over. You’ll have multiple points of contact—your enrollment counselor, our transfer coordinator, anyone on the admissions team—and everyone responds quickly and with care.
How do graduate transfers experience that same level of support?
With graduate transfers, the stakes are even higher. The students I’ve worked with have really appreciated Carlow’s hands-on approach. They hear from me, from their program coordinator, and often from faculty. Even in online or hybrid programs, professors go out of their way to make sure students feel connected, not just like “someone on a screen.”
What do you hope to bring to your role in the future?
I’d like to keep building on the strong transfer experience we already offer while adding my own perspective. I’m a little younger than some of our team and have been a transfer student myself, so I know firsthand how overwhelming it can feel. I want students to know they’re not alone—there are people here who’ve been through exactly what they’re going through, and we’re here to make it easier.