With fervent pursuit of celebrating student success, the Center for Transfer and Adult Students (CTAS) launched its inaugural initiative of Rise and Roar on April 4. The event is a reaffirmation of the program’s commitment to serving as a catalyst of academic and professional support for non-traditional students.
Conceptualized in fall 2024, the event has long been in the works by Janice Bankert-Countryman, assistant director of student services in CTAS. In her role, Bankert-Countryman has maintained the program’s efforts in designing and implementing activities, events, and programming opportunities related to campus resources and social connections.
Bankert-Countryman’s development of the event was centered on aiding students in feeling recognized for their academic grit and first year on campus, followed by an opportunity to explore a fair of resources.
It makes sense for them to have the opportunity to not only celebrate themselves, but also feel celebrated, understand what the next steps could be, and leveraging the resources that are available to them on campus.
Janice Bankert-Countryman
In alignment with IU’s 2030 plan, the event underlines a strong connection to embodying collective campus inclusion. Bankert-Countryman acknowledges the diverse makeup of transfer students which can often include adult students, returning students, students of color, and students from historically under-resourced communities.
“A lot of our transfer students may not know what questions to ask or who to go to ask them or that there’s people all around them who are interested in the same sorts of hobbies that aren’t just academic and career,” Bankert-Countryman said. “So, for me, this [Rise and Roar] is inclusion, because it’s about building and sustaining community.”
Seeing the exceptional in the ordinary
The national retention rate for transfer students sits at 68 percent, indicating the reality of over a third of transfer students choosing not to return to campus. Kim Priesmeyer, managing director for CTAS, opened the event and praised students for their unwavering dedication despite distinct differences.
“Being here today is something to celebrate because you are all on track to celebrate your degrees,” Priesmeyer said. “There are a lot of transfer students, who for their own reasons or challenges, are not able to do that.”
Among the attendees included alumna speaker Rachel Turner who has experienced the grace and fervent support of CTAS staff and university faculty first-hand.
Like many transfer students, Turner began her undergraduate journey at an unexpected time in her life—in her mid-thirties as a mother of three middle school children. After making honor roll during her first semester at Ivy Tech, Turner realized her dream of wanting to further her education but felt held back from internal doubts about her abilities. She continued to pursue her academic journey, leading to her enrollment at IU Indianapolis and the perception that successful progress begins with self-understanding.
“I felt this sense of shame, and I thought ‘Why am I feeling ashamed for being vulnerable?’” Turner said. “I realized it was because I never really gave myself that time to be quiet and learn about what I really wanted, which can be a struggle depending on your background.”
Turner also praised Bankert-Countryman’s initiative, encouraging students to focus on getting in touch with people who want to hear them “roar.”
A panel of demonstrated success
Program individuals who display exceptional persistence were present to share their experiences and advice with attendees. Though uniquely varied, all panelists enthusiastically concurred in practicing to foster self-empowerment.
Emily Shipman
English major
“Even if sometimes you don’t think you can or don’t have the resources to do it in that moment, if you tell yourself you can, you’ll get there.”
Clay Kobayashi
Sociology major
“For me, addressing a challenge is doing something and allowing myself to see that agency.”
Lance Varnell
Sustainability practice and policy major
“I can’t think my way into acting right, but I can act my way into thinking right.”
Natasha Dennison
General studies major, concentration in social and behavioral sciences
“With great power comes great responsibility, and you’ve got to be ready to own these things that you want that take great courage and power.”
Responses from other attendees through a post-event survey further shed the grand impact weaved by the event’s functions.
"One thing I really found interesting from all the panelists was to keep pushing forward, showing up, and continue to be who we are. I found everyone’s stories really encouraging. One of the affirmations I got when listening to all of the panelists was that it is important to have a sense of belonging and community and college. Without that, it is hard for people to thrive, and they lose their sense of self."
“What I took away from this event was allowing myself to feel awesome or letting the awesome sink in, especially living in a society that doesn't allow it or not seen too commonly even though we pursue big accomplishments. As someone who's not used to receiving compliments, this was something that resonated with me.”
Moving forward in a community of encouragement
As students progress towards completing their degrees, Bankert-Countryman hopes that the event will instill a deep sense of satisfaction in being part of the IU Indianapolis community and a growing anticipation for the next steps.
“A function of this event is that, when we make a decision like going to a new campus and returning to school, that first couple of semesters is all about adjustment and getting into the groove,” Bankert-Countryman said. “What I hope the event does is bring up to students: What could I do next for my academic success, for my career development, and for my whole person wellness?”
While the event is the first of its kind, Bankert-Countryman is excited at the prospect of it returning regularly in the years to come.
For more information, contact the Division of Undergraduate Education Office of Communications at duecomm@iu.edu.