From Uncertainty to Prospect: Elaina Saladino’s Transfer Journey to UNHโ Manchester
Elaina Saladino began pursuing โคher bachelor’s degree at UNH Manchester in 2024, choosing โฃto major in ASL/English Interpreting with an anticipated graduation year of 2028.Her โdecision to transferโค was driven by a combination of personalโ interest adnโข accessible support systems.
“I chose UNH Manchester โfor the small and intimate classes, easy connection to faculty and resources, in-state tuitionโฃ as well asโค grantsโข and scholarships, and โof course the ASL/English Interpreting โprogram,” Elaina explained. A meeting โwith the program directorโ in fall 2024โ solidified her choice. “Between [the director’s] welcoming and encouraging demeanor about the program and my financial aid offer I had no โฃchoice but toโ switch.”
Financial assistance โฃplayed a key role in making the transition possible. Elaina was awardedโฃ the Merrimack valley Scholarship, the Wildcat Family Award, โandโฃ an additional tuition grant, โคensuring both affordability and empowerment in her educational โpursuit.
UNH Manchester’s ASL/Englishโ Interpretingโฃ program fosters a close-knit community focused on practical experience. Elaina emphasized the program’sโ encouragement of engagement โwith the Deaf community. “Thru โthe ASL/English Interpreting program, we โคdo have required hoursโ to spend with the community, butโข you’reโ also encouraged to go above that and spend as muchโ time โas you canโ using and observing ASL especially withโ the Deafโข community. โฃThese interactions and events are such great opportunities to grow, learn, and create new relationships.”
Despite changing โฃher majorโ from marketing, Elaina continuesโข to utilize โคher previous skillset.She currently works as a peer advisor in the academic advising office, assisting fellow students and applying her marketing knowledge to outreach efforts.
“This is a very rewarding job because in addition to being there for studentsโข and helping shape some elements โof their first-year experience, you also get to explore theโฃ marketing and social media side of advising. I get to see my work go out on social media, bulletin boards, and TVโค slides whichโ asโ a previous marketing major is very rewarding.”
UNH Manchester actively supports transfer students, offering the ability to transfer up to 72 credits from communityโ colleges or 96 credits โข from โfour-year schools. Additional resourcesโ includeโ dedicated โacademic advising, transfer-specificโ scholarships โand financial aid, the Millyard Advantage – providing internships, research,โ and career connections within Manchester’s โinnovation district – and supportiveโ programs like the transfer Seminarโ and peer advising.
Forโค students considering a โtransfer, UNHโข Manchester providesโค a streamlinedโค and supportive pathway to a career-focused degree. Further information about transfer opportunities andโข resources can be found at https://manchester.unh.edu/admissions/transfer-students, and details aboutโฃ the ASL/Englishโ Interpreting program are available at https://manchester.unh.edu/.