PRIMER Program to Promote Transfer Student Success

Dymon Blango, A.A.S. Biotechnology, Biology Major, Forensic Science Minor, EC Scholar | ECU Honors College ‘23

We are committed to helping incoming Biology transfer students have the smoothest transition possible into our department. Nationally, transfer students in STEM fields drop out at higher rates, and have lower GPAs, than traditional university students.  The reasons for this lower success rate have been determined to include both academic and social factors. In response to this challenge, ECU Biology has created the PRIMER program to provide academic and social supports for incoming transfer students.

If you are a transfer student, we encourage you to be part of the PRIMER program! Among other perks, this program offers you access to prior transfer students who can serve as peer mentors, access to reserved research opportunities, special advising, and the opportunity to gain 2 biology elective credits while making friends and gaining skills to help you be successful at ECU. Our department appreciates our transfer students and wants to help you feel like part of ECU Biology and meet your academic and career goals. Be sure to click the form below to sign up!

Contact PRIMER  PRIMER 

Dymon Blango

“Thanks to the PRIMER program I have familiarized myself with ECU’s classes, been equipped with tips to tackle exams, and provided with support academically and socially. The PRIMER Program at ECU sets you up for success!”

Rachel Byrum

“PRIMER allowed me many opportunities in the Biology department at ECU, from taking a cell culture lab (I probably never would have known about) to getting to know the program faculty and making lifelong friendships with other transfer biology majors.”

Jasmine Coleman

“As a mentor I empower my mentees to reach their highest potential and believe it can be obtained. If you cannot see where you are going, ask your PRIMER mentor who has been there before”

This work is being funded by NSF’s Directorate for Education and Human Resources, Division of Undergraduate Education, to Heather Vance-Chalcraft (ECU), Thomas Gould (Pitt Community College), Jean-Luc Scemama (ECU), and John Stiller (ECU).