"Being a student at Transform meant having a space and community that believed in my success, my development, and my well-being. Transform truly furthered my journey at The University of Utah where I could study what mattered to me, make connections that cared for me, and grow into who I am. In a time where it is harder and harder to find people that are willing & ready to fight and resist for you and all oppressed communities, it was all the faculty, staff, and peers at Transform that kept my fire burning (in a good way)! If I can give any advice, it would be to have trust in your journey, do your best to find amazing friends that support you, and build up your community! ¡Con Amor y Cariño!"

"With each passing year, I've looked back at the previous year and thought, "Wow, past me would've never predicted where current me is now." Never did conservative cis-woman freshman me ever expect to become a radically-liberal trans-masc 5th-year-senior.

"I think the greatest lessons I've learned from my university experience are to be adaptive and learn from mistakes, and move forward even (especially?) when it feels like you're a disaster. I've also learned a great deal about love, especially self-love.

"If I were to give any wisdom, I think it would be to stay in-touch with your past (e.g. my being raised Mormon instilled in me a deep drive to keep archives, which I now use to preserve queer stories). You don't need to reject everything you once were; you can adapt the pieces of you to better serve you in the present."

"My experience here was life changing. I was able to combine my passion for drag and education so incredibly because of Transform. I had an internship all about putting on drag shows (on campus) and I taught a class about drag (in drag) during my teaching assistantship. Truly my dreams became reality and I’m forever grateful. To current/future students: Do the hard work to make your dreams come true and know that there are places (like Transform) that will support you. There is no other place on campus like this and I’m so proud to be graduating from this program."

"Being a part of Transform during my time at the University has been an irreplaceable experience that I'm beyond thankful for and wouldn't change in any way. I have met the most passionate people who I look up to and who I feel so inspired by. Transform has brought so many opportunities and so much growth into my life, it has helped me to expand on my own passions and be my truest self. I LOVE TRANSFORM!"

"The College of Transform has truly offered me a transformational learning experience. Thank you to the faculty and staff that has created such a welcoming space and experience within the College of Transform."

"As an undocumented Latina woman, I understand the adversities and challenges marginalized communities have to navigate. When I decided to become an Ethnic Studies major it was to better understand the challenges other marginalized communities face. I want to leave this world better for my children and although we can't change the world by ourselves, small changes do indeed change the world. When you are feeling like you want to give up or don't see progress quickly remember that, in the words of Karol G, "manana sera bonito." (tomorrow will be beautiful) and in the words of Carla Morrison, "piensa en el sol, porque vuelve a amanecer siempre." (think about the sun because it always comes back the next morning."

"My experience at the University of Utah, and more specifically Transform, has changed my life and career trajectory. I came into college with a lot of anger at oppressive systems, and my professors and classes within Transform, helped guide and show me how to put my anger and frustration to good use by working with communities to tear down structural barriers. The College of Transform has really provided me with a direction, and the Professors who have supported my dreams have been instrumental in helping me graduating this Spring. I plan to attend law school, and hopefully, become an international human rights lawyer."

Wisdom I'd like to impart as I graduate: "Take the classes you're curious about! I will be forever grateful that I took a Gender Studies class just because it seemed interesting. I learned so much and I wish I could have taken all the classes in Transform. I am also grateful for just trying out different things and saying yes to opportunities that scared me. A lot of my skills improved, I got to meet more people and make more friends, and realized that I could accomplish more than I thought I could."

"When I was little, I loved dressing up and going on adventures. I always imagined I was on some perilous journey that only the fiercest knight could complete. Getting an education isn't easy. It's been 5 years, 2 universities, 15 jobs, 6 moves, 12 scholarships, 3 loans, and 2 majors. I thought I couldn't do it, but I did. I’m grateful to the little me who always imagined herself to be braver and stronger than anything else; I finally feel like she was right."

"The College of Transform is such a special haven within the University, I hope and expect the wisdom from faculty and students within Transform will penetrate beyond our college, and beyond our campus."

"I’ve loved my time at the U and Transform. Transform helped me understand how my studies relate to social issues and what I can do to be a change maker. Some of my biggest supporters, mentors, and advocates are from Transform! I feel so lucky to have learned from such genuinely thoughtful faculty!"

Wisdom I'd like to impart as I graduate: "Get involved as much as you can! I've held a lot of different student positions and have gotten involved among many different areas on campus, which has introduced me to some of my favorite people. Furthermore, becoming a Student Ambassador for Transform helped me feel like I had a community on campus!"