Troy Howard transferred to NC State from Central Carolina Community College to earn his degree in Civil Engineering. In this Q&A, he breaks down why he chose community college first, how the Goodnight Transfer Scholarship helped him succeed, and the key lessons he learned about transferring credits and adjusting to campus life.

What made you decide to start at another college before transferring? 

“I was home-schooled, and I thought that starting at a community college was a great way for me to get adjusted into college life before joining a much larger institution. It was partly a financial decision, but I also wasn’t initially sure if I wanted to go to college at all. My great uncle really encouraged me to pursue a higher education, and I’m thankful for his advice. I believe it was the right decision because I have grown so much as a person since I’ve transferred here.”

What did you wish you had known about the transfer process before you started?

“I wish I had waited to take some of my general education requirements at NC State, so I wouldn’t be taking only major-specific classes. It can be challenging at times only having an engineering-specific courseload with no variety with other subjects. While at Central Carolina Community College, I earned 2 Associate degrees (Associate’s in Engineering and Science), but if I had waited to take some of that courseload here, I might have had an easier transition.”

How did you decide which college to attend?

“When deciding which college to attend, I knew I wanted to stay closer to home to be able to take care of my family and to keep in-state tuition. There are only a few schools in North Carolina that offer my degree of Civil Engineering, and I ultimately chose NC State for the location and because the College of Engineering has an excellent reputation for producing high-achieving graduates.”

How did the Goodnight scholarship factor into your decision to attend NC State, and how did the program allow you to give back to your community?

“When considering the opportunities that the Goodnight Transfer Scholarship Program provides, I was able to solidify my decision to attend NC State. Not only did it ease the financial burden, it also provided me with a community focused on supporting my transition to university and my success while here. It’s been thoroughly rewarding to give back to the Goodnight community by serving as ‘Program Ambassador’ who facilitates a welcoming environment for Goodnight events.”

What’s the hardest part about adjusting to college during your first semester, and how did you find friends/get involved on campus?

“Getting used to the increased pacing and requirements of courses was one of the first things that struck me as difficult when I started here. Also, living away from home for the first time was challenging as I learned to balance taking care of myself with my school and extracurricular responsibilities. As I started making an effort to get involved on campus, I began to find it easier to adapt to student life. That’s when I realized the importance of building a community around me and started being more active in organizations, such as Goodnight and Cru Campus Ministries.”

If you could go back to the beginning of your transfer journey, what would you do differently? 

“I would do more research into what classes I would need to take for my major and make sure they will transfer. I would also make sure that the classes I am taking are beneficial towards my degree program at the university I am looking at attending. For example, I took a conceptual physics class my first semester at community college that didn’t count towards the ‘engineering physics’ requirement at NC State.”

What advice would you give a student who has decided to transfer but doesn’t know where to start?

“Look for universities with a culture that you want to be a part of; I think it is crucial to your success and your college journey to be in a place where you want to belong. For me, that place was NC State because I felt like they do an exceptional job at welcoming students of all backgrounds into the pack. As a homeschooler from rural North Carolina who has experienced financial hardships growing up, I was afraid that I would not fit in at university. However, with the communities I am involved with and the opportunities for professional development here, I was able to find the place that I felt at home. For me, that was joining a Cru bible study and making friends with shared values.”

What’s your favorite memory at NC State/in GTSP that you’ve made so far?

“My favorite memory was being a Retreat Leader for the incoming cohort of the Goodnight Transfer Scholarship Program of 2029. I loved being able to meet some of the new scholars and help lead activities for them as they got introduced to the program. For a team-building competition, my team and I built a cardboard boat for the race in the pool on SAS Campus in Cary, NC. Although our boat sank 2 seconds into the race, I will always keep the memories from that day.”