Indiana State University joins in the nationwide celebration of transfer students during National Transfer Student Week, October 16-20, 2023. Check out the daily events planned for transfer students during the week. Students can visit the transfer center on campus and enter to win gift cards and ISU swag! Students attending an online event will be entered. Winners will be selected on Friday afternoon.
A Transfer Student’s Story—Michael Repel
I have been an employee of the City of Chicago’s Department of Water Management since 1999. As a member of Local 1092, I was making prevailing wage and had not given much thought to continuing my education. However, I had always known that I was capable of a much larger role in my organization, and in 2017 I made a conscious decision to return to school in an effort to advance my career.
My pathway began by taking certification courses at LiUNA’s Chicagoland Laborers’ District Council Training Center, followed by a certification course in Project Management at the University of Chicago. Then in 2019, I enrolled at City Colleges of Chicago where I obtained an AAS in Construction Management in December of 2021.
Prior to graduating from City Colleges of Chicago, I had spoken to Academic Advisor Lisa Stein in detail about Indiana State University’s bachelor’s degree program for Construction Management. As an accredited institution offering an online program for distance students, ISU was a good fit for me. I transferred to Indiana State University’s Bailey College of Engineering & Technology in 2022, and am now a Junior-1 with a 3.95 GPA. I am very satisfied with the curriculum and the quality in which it is presented and have obtained a wealth of knowledge from this program.
Since returning to school, I have taken a deliberate approach to achieving my goals. I have been awarded scholarships from the Construction Industry Service Corporation, the American Water Works Association, and the Associated General Contractors of America. I have obtained multiple certifications related to my occupation outside of those previously mentioned, and most notably, have been appointed to the position of General Superintendent of Water Management within my organization.
Returning to school and enrolling in Indiana State University has proven to be one of the most advantageous decisions I have made thus far, and I have already selected a master’s degree program to enroll in once I have completed this phase of my education.
This has been an exciting and rewarding journey, and I enthusiastically look forward to where this road takes me.