At a Fairfield Bellarmine event on March 31, titled Bridging the Gap, a panel of Class of 2025 Bellarmine alumni shared their experiences of transitioning to Fairfield’s Main Campus and offered advice to current students.
Hosted in partnership with the Office of Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs (SDMA), the event brought Bellarmine alumni and current students together for a candid conversation about what comes next. Panelists spoke openly about the challenges and opportunities ahead, and pointed attendees to the many support systems available.
Pathway to Continued Success
Offering mentorship and peer connection, Bridging the Gap underscored Fairfield Bellarmine’s commitment to equipping current students with the resources, community, and confidence to succeed beyond Bellarmine Campus. The two-year associate’s degree program offers pathways to professional careers or continued study, with many graduates going on to complete bachelor’s degrees at Fairfield’s Main Campus.
Yolehema Felican, director of the Office of Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs at Fairfield, co-moderated the event with Joshua Dixon AS’25,’27. “We want to ensure that you have the most seamless transition possible,” said Felican in her opening remarks, noting that the alumni panel was designed to offer relatable, firsthand perspectives.
Guided by Peer Voices
The six Fairfield Bellarmine alumni panelists were:
- Ana Aguirre AA’25,’27, who studied liberal arts at Fairfield Bellarmine and is now majoring in psychology in the John Charles Meditz College of Arts and Sciences.
- Joshua Dixon AS’25,’27, who studied health studies at Fairfield Bellarmine is now a nursing major in the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing & Health Studies.
- Jaheim Mckie AS’25,’27, who studied business at Fairfield Bellarmine and is majoring in accounting and minoring in management in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business.
- Trinity Santiago AS’25,’27, who studied computer science at Fairfield Bellarmine and is a computer science major in the School of Engineering and Computing.
- Marissa Shanley AS’25,’27, who also studied computer science at Fairfield Bellarmine and is now majoring in computer science.
- Steven Simon AS’25,’27, who studied business at Fairfield Bellarmine and is pursuing a BA in accounting at Fairfield Dolan.
The conversation kept student voices at the center, with alumni addressing common concerns about moving from a smaller campus to a larger university setting. While acknowledging the challenges that come with that shift, many said those concerns were quickly replaced by a strong sense of belonging—thanks to positive interactions with peers, professors, and staff on the Main Campus.
Dixon pointed to the accessibility of faculty as a key factor. “The professors make themselves really available when it comes to office hours,” he said, noting that the personalized support students value at Bellarmine continues in Fairfield’s bachelor’s degree programs.
Community & Connection
A recurring theme was the importance of community. Panelists described how getting involved in clubs and activities helped them build meaningful connections. Simon highlighted his experience with SDMA, calling it “my hub—a place where I could study, connect, and feel supported.”
Others pointed to residential life as a defining part of their experience. “We’ve made lasting memories living together— late-night cooking, ‘Friendsgiving’”, said Mckie. “It’s been one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.”
