Oh, the Places You’ll Go: Transfer Students Live Out Their Dreams

Oct. 15, 2025

When Yarumi Leon transferred to Texas Woman’s University this fall, she was in good company. More than half of TWU’s transfer students come from Dallas College.

After serving in the military, Leon enrolled at Dallas College Eastfield Campus and earned a degree in social work. Dallas College’s Transfer Services team helped her figure out where she would go next.

Leon is enrolled in a three-year social work program at TWU that has her simultaneously earning a master’s degree. She is pleased with her transfer choice. “We are in a cohort with the same 15 students in every class and that is really nice,” she said.

Eventually, Leon would like to open her own clinic, but currently she’s exploring various mental health specialties through coursework and volunteer opportunities at TWU.

“Right now, I have a specific class for children’s rights to help me see if that’s an area I want to focus on,” she said.

Later this semester, she will travel to a horse farm to learn about equine therapy as part of the school’s recreation and fitness activities.

SirMark Gentry decided to give college another try at age 30.

The first male in his family to graduate high school, Gentry had his share of difficulties as a youth. He began college after completing high school in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but ended up dropping out.

“It’s a struggle growing up in the inner city as an African American male. I didn’t want to get caught up in that cycle,” he said.

He moved to Dallas at age 24 for a fresh start in a booming economy with warmer weather and eventually landed a job in finance for Southwest Airlines. The job paid just enough to make ends meet. Gentry was determined to do more with his life, so he enrolled in Dallas College.

“I did not know what an engineer was until I was 29 years old,” said Gentry, who earned an associate degree in electrical engineering at age 33, while also working full time. “I’ve been an engineer my entire life — someone who uses knowledge to make the world a better place by creating new ideas and more efficient processes.”

He first learned about West Texas A&M University when Dallas College’s Career and Transfer Skills Development team brought representatives in for an information session. Their online electrical engineering program seemed like a dream come true because it would allow him to work in Dallas while he studied. Also, he qualified for scholarships that covered his tuition.

He was invited to travel to Thailand with WT in July. He and 11 other students provided hands-on aid to Thai farmers, helping them create new irrigation systems and incorporate technology into their operations.

He was unsure at first if he should go.

“I didn’t even have a passport,” he said. “Our work from proposal to implementation was something I’ve dreamed of. The trip was eye opening — the people and their politeness.”

He took part in every cultural experience he could and even picked up a few words in Thai. And then there’s the amazing food! “Thai is my favorite,” he said.

“We did a couple of engineering projects with children — about 80% of whom were refugees from Burma. They were so happy to learn, see us and talk with us. I feel like I had a life-changing impact just from showing up,” Gentry said.

In his job as a project manager for Cesco Dallas, Gentry designs building controls to fit different compliance and energy codes. He graduates from WT in May and is already doing what he set out to do — making a difference in the world in terms of energy and sustainability.

Ready to plan your bachelor-bound journey? Contact Transfer Services.

• Career and Transfer