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Bristol Community College valedictorian transfers to UMassD to complete her bachelor’s degree in communication
Lauren Wood '27 is familiar with overcoming adversity. "When I was a kid, I was told that I couldn't do certain things or that I would be waitressing tables for the rest of my life because I struggled in school," she said.
But Wood was determined to attend college and get her degree. It just took a bit of exploration to set her on the right path.
"I started my college career studying nursing at Rhode Island College. After a few weeks, I realized it wasn't for me. Then I began working as a medical assistant, which wasn't the right fit either.
"I knew I had to figure out what I wanted to do with my future. I decided to go back to school, so I applied to Bristol Community College. I remember being on my lunch break while working as a COVID-19 screener at a local hospital when I got accepted into their communication program, and I said, 'This is my next dream.'"
In December 2024, Wood graduated from Bristol as valedictorian with an associate degree in communication. From there, she transferred to UMass Dartmouth’s communication program and set her sights on her next goal: earning a bachelor's degree.
Transferring from Bristol Community College to UMassD
Wood is part of the MassTransfer program, a state program that offers streamlined pathways for students to start at a community college, get their associate degree, then transfer to a state school to complete their bachelor's.
"I chose to transfer to UMass Dartmouth because it was close to home and I knew that MassTransfer would make it a seamless transition. Through this program, all my credits from Bristol were guaranteed to transfer, so I didn't have to retake any of my classes.
"There weren't any hiccups at all. The transfer counselors were a big help, and I'm well taken care of here. There's a great partnership between UMassD and Bristol and I know they worked hard to develop the transfer agreement."
Adjusting to life at a four-year institution
There's a bit of an adjustment when moving from a local two-year college to a bigger four-year university, but Wood quickly adapted.
"It was challenging, especially during the first few weeks, because it's a bigger school and I had to find my way around. But after the first month, I felt like part of the community. I'm a social person, and it's very welcoming. I can be myself. If it fits, it fits, and UMass Dartmouth fits."
Advice for MassTransfer students
Wood's biggest advice is to put yourself out there and get informed. "Go to the transfer fairs, talk to the UMassD recruiters, and ask the transfer counselors questions to get information."
She also emphasized the importance of understanding what you want out of your education. "It's always good to keep considering your options, knowing who you are, and what you want. And if you don't know, that's okay too. You just have to go for it. Keep taking your education seriously, because it's going to lead you somewhere."
The English and communication department at UMassD
Wood credits the Department of English and Communication for welcoming her into the university and helping her find her stride.
"The professors make a world of difference. You can really rely on them, and they make you feel supported. Learning from them has been instrumental, and the English and communication department is very strong. I recognized what a close-knit community they are as soon as I got here."
A future in higher education
In the future, Wood hopes to work in the college communication field.
"I love higher education's mission to serve students. The world is changing, and more people are going to community college when they're a bit older, including myself. I think that aiding schools in maintaining their values and recruiting students is vital. It's good to keep showing people that higher education is a good path to a successful career and life," she said.