Meet Jacqueline Sastre, a first-year transfer student and the Mustang Mentee Ambassador whose journey to SMU began before she ever stepped on campus.
Not too long ago, Jacqueline was at Dallas College preparing her application to SMU when an email landed in her inbox. It featured a story of a Mustang Mentors transfer pair, and the story quickly caught her attention.
“When I got the email with the story highlighting a transfer Mustang Mentors pair, it really pulled me in. Just knowing the school was letting me know there was an organization willing to help me get accustomed to SMU, and that it would be a one-on-one experience, made it really easy to sign up (for Mustang Mentors).”
She knew that she was going to need support as she transitioned to a bigger school and she ended up being matched with a peer mentor who knew exactly what she needed. “Having a mentor that was pursuing the same marketing major as me was such a big help, because they themselves were also a transfer student from a community college,” she shared. “They knew about figuring out your community and what classes best suit you. She gave me tips not only socially, but academically.”
That early support not only made the transition feel more manageable but also sparked something in Jacqueline. The positive experience encouraged her to apply for the Mustang Mentee Ambassador role, eager to help other students feel the same sense of grounding and confidence. Stepping into this position has also allowed her to bring forward pieces of her Dallas College experience that she once thought she’d left behind.
“Back in community college, I wrote for the school paper and thought I would be letting that go,” she explained. “But now, being able to write for the blog and for Mustang Mentors allows me to really shape my writing skills as a marketer.”
Jacqueline’s commitment to supporting fellow transfer students extends beyond Mustang Mentors. As Vice President of the Mustang Transfer Student Organization, she hopes to create even more connection between the two communities. “I really want to plan something with Mustang Transfers and Mustang Mentors,” she said. “I do take being a transfer student personally, and it was a big effort to transition from community college to university, so I definitely want to do something for transfer students.”
For Jacqueline, Mustang Mentors wasn’t just a resource but a catalyst in her transition to the Hilltop. Now, as an ambassador of the Mustang Mentors program, she’s working to make sure every student, especially transfer students, feels that same sense of belonging from the moment they arrive.
When asked about why someone should join the Mustang Mentors peer-mentoring program, she said, “There’s really nothing to lose and so much to gain. You either gain a new friend, a new mentor, learn new things, or even learn soft skills just by conversing with someone about your life here. There’s always something to learn.”
Do you know a student transferring to SMU in January? Reach out to mustangmentors@smu.edu for questions about how they can get plugged in like Jacqueline did.
