Nontraditional transfer student fell in love with UC

Based on his experience as a transfer student, he says there was never a point where he was trying to figure it out on his own. “There was always someone to talk to me and tell me what I needed to do and what my options were,” he says. “They really understand the challenges of being a transfer student here,” adding, “They have a system of working with the students, so you’re not just a free agent.”

Vaglienti moved to Cincinnati in fall 2019 to finish the on-campus required coursework and says he knew immediately he made the right decision. His first semester on campus: “I found two or three professors in the political science department that I really liked and took multiple classes with them because I liked the classes and the way they were set up,” he says. 

While Vaglienti wasn’t in need of a social support system — he wasn’t fresh out of high school anymore and had hometown friends attending UC — he says the transfer office kept up with him and kept him informed of activities and social groups that might benefit a transfer student. Another benefit that he says he didn’t see coming was how much he enjoyed the Italian courses he took with Joyce Miller, an assistant professor in the Department of Romance and Arabic Languages and Literatures.

“The professors that I had here were probably the most positive experience I had at UC. Anywhere I went there were people I could count on to help me out.”

Vaglienti is currently preparing to take the Law School Admission Test and plans to apply to several law schools, including UC’s College of Law.

“I’ve loved Cincinnati in my time here. I can see myself living here for a long time.”

Featured image at top: Black and white headshot of Richard Vaglienti. Photo/Kelly/UC Creative + Brand