Cadey Ryce ‘24, a marine science and biology major with a minor in educational studies, did not start her education at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. “I originally went off to school thinking I wanted to go to a ‘big’ school, have that experience, but then COVID hit,” she says. “It just didn’t go the way I’d planned.” The Southern Maryland resident decided to come home, and, some might may serendipitously received a flyer in the mail from SMCM for the new marine science program. “I sent admissions an email saying I was interested, and they got me paired up with a transfer counselor,” Cadey explains. “She was very easy to reach and answered all my questions.” Although the tight-knit community she found at SMCM was at first a little daunting coming out of the isolation she had felt during COVID, Cadey soon found her place. “I think that’s just what I needed, to get involved in things and help me come out of my shell.” And get involved she did. She currently serves as orientation coordinator, secretary for the programs board, and a Student Government Association (SGA) senator. She manages those activities on top of a challenging course schedule with a double major and a minor . “I thought that because I was going to a smaller school I’d have to give up a lot of those cool electives, but it was actually the opposite,” she relates. “[There’s] more one-on-one time with the professor and more understanding of the content overall because of that.” “I would say definitely if you’re looking for a close-knit community of people and you’re looking to get assistance and that one-on-one with your professors, overall I just think that St. Mary’s [College] is a great choice,” says Cadey. “Not one day do I regret transferring. [It’s] definitely been the greatest decision so far.”