Diana Barajas balanced multiple retail jobs while searching for a way to continue her education, always holding onto the goal of earning a college degree. To make that dream a reality, she needed a program that fit her life and a community that recognized the dedication and resilience it took to get there.
Now a thriving University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) transfer student, she’s on track to graduate in 2026 with a double major in applied psychology and criminal law and justice.
The University of Illinois System continually adds ways to make transfers even smoother for the next wave of students — ensuring they don’t just enroll but graduate and thrive.
To attract and welcome transfer students so they can shine, the U of I System offers programs such as its transfer guarantee for Illinois high school graduates attending any community college or university in the U.S. Those who meet criteria are guaranteed admission to UIC, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or the University of Illinois Springfield.
Breaking barriers for transfer students
Barajas’ experience reflects a broader reality: Talented students face barriers that delay or derail their college journey. While rising transfer rates signal progress, access alone isn’t enough — many students need structured support to ensure they cross the finish line.
Ensuring all students can achieve their academic and career goals also means acknowledging that financial resources remain a challenge. Across the U of I System, though:
- More than one-third of in-state undergraduate students pay no tuition or fees.
- More than half pay less than $3,000 per semester.
But affordability alone won’t guarantee success. Students need personalized guidance, mentorship and career preparation to navigate the transfer process effectively.
“What I benefitted the most from is being able to have a very streamlined process to higher education. If I had gone straight into a four-year institution, I would have struggled more with finding resources to help me,” Barajas said.
“I also benefitted because I completed most of my general eds at Harold Washington College, which took a lot of stress and time off my shoulders.”
The system and its universities focus on building strong relationships with community colleges statewide and pointing students and families to Transferology, a powerful tool that shows how credits transfer at 400-plus universities.
From community college to UIC: A journey of determination
After high school, Barajas’ gap year turned into several. Eventually, she applied to Harold Washington College — part of the City Colleges of Chicago — where she received the financial aid she needed.
“I was so excited to take notes in class again, to get back into the rhythm of learning new things,” she said.
As the youngest of four children, her studies resonated with her lived experience. The widespread challenges many communities face inspired her to pursue her double major at UIC, with a focus on mental health advocacy and criminal justice reform.
Her advisor told her about the U of I System transfer guarantee, which ensures that community college students who graduate from Illinois high schools can transfer with confidence.
Barajas didn’t just transfer — she thrived.
Getting involved and growing
Mitzi Ramos connected with Barajas early, inviting her to the Latin American Recruitment & Educational Services (LARES) Summer Institute. Ramos is Associate Director of Graduate Student Professional & Career Development for the LARES program at UIC. While LARES cultivates students’ leadership skills to help them become advocates for their community, the focus is recruiting Latino students and providing academic support to increase their chances for success.
“Diana is an ambitious student eager to take advantage of the gamut of student opportunities available on UIC’s campus,” Ramos said. “Diana is — without question — a rising star. In her short time at UIC, she has produced research, advocated for the university and excelled academically.”
Barajas’ journey highlights the importance of community, mentorship and opportunity. Through research, campus involvement and hands-on learning experiences, she’s proving that when transfer students have the right resources, they don’t just keep up — they rise to the top.
In fact, the average GPA of transfer students across the U of I System is 3.4 out of 4.
Looking ahead: New choices, new possibilities
Soon, Barajas will begin an internship focused on evaluating and improving suicide prevention programming, an experience she sees as a stepping stone to a career working with marginalized communities.
“It lines up perfectly with what I want to do, working with minority groups,” she said. “I am looking forward to seeing my education at work. It’s one thing to get an education in psychology and another thing entirely to see that education makes a difference in the world and in other people’s lives.
“I hope my work with my internship truly does help people get the quality patient care they need and deserve.”
Today, Barajas is weighing a decision she once thought was out of reach: whether to pursue a master’s degree or a PhD.
“It’s nice to have that kind of struggle,” she said. “It’s true — you get as much as you give.”
Driven to advocate for mental well-being
Barajas has a clear view of what she plans to do with her education.
“I hope that I can help contribute to research and promote policies that can help improve mental health systems and support marginalized communities,” she said. “I want to help ensure that my work and future career help reduce the stigma that comes with mental health issues.”
The stigma surrounding mental health challenges drives Barajas to advocate for others.
“Seeing my own community (Latinos) struggle to get these services and be shamed when asking for them makes me realize there is still a need for these marginalized communities to have a voice,” she said.
“Whether it’s through the normalization of these services and needs in society or through political advocacy to help get these services to be more accessible, I think it is all-important and necessary.”
Partnering with organizations like Hope Chicago and One Million Degrees, the U of I System is paving the way for more transfer students like Barajas to have the chance to achieve their goals, contribute to their communities and build the future they deserve.
Real Impact stories spotlight the real difference people, programs and partnerships — across the system — make on the state’s economic, social and cultural well-being. For more, meet advocate and alum Kayla Pilgrim.
