The Decision: Close to Home, Close to the Future
After studying at the University of New Mexico, Edmi decided she needed a change. She was searching for a school with the right degree program and the professional credibility that would open doors in her field.
“I was looking for a school closer to home that offered the degree I wanted to pursue,” she explains. “HCU provided that opportunity with a strong academic reputation and a supportive environment.”
Finding Belonging: When HCU Started Feeling Like Home
Transfer student experiences often differ from freshmen or returning students, and walking onto a new campus can carry its own kind of uncertainty. They’re a unique population where students at other institutions often struggle to initially find their footing in a community that’s already in motion.
At HCU, this came easily through her professors, her peers and something she hadn’t fully anticipated: spiritual growth alongside professional growth.
“At the beginning, I didn’t fully know what to expect,” she recalls. “But as I began attending classes and building relationships with my professors, I realized how much I was growing — not only in my field of study, but also spiritually. HCU helped me understand how my creative career and my faith could connect in meaningful ways.”
“HCU helped me understand how my creative career and my faith could connect in meaningful ways.”
Edmi, HCU Graduate and Graphic Designer
The community welcomed her as a transfer student in ways that surprised her.
“HCU was something I didn’t expect in the best way,” she says. “Everyone was welcoming, kind and genuinely supportive. That environment made the transition much easier.”
Awards, Internships and Real-World Preparation
Two defining moments stand out when Edmi reflects on her time as an HCU student.
The first was receiving the Outstanding Digital Student award — a recognition that affirmed she was exactly where she was supposed to be while producing the kind of work God had called her to do.
The second was earning not one, but two internships: one at HCU itself, and another at The George Theater.
“Receiving the Outstanding Digital Student award was incredibly affirming,” she says. “Earning two internships — one at HCU and another at The George Theater — gave me real-world experience and practical skills that prepared me for my career. Both experiences equipped me with tools and confidence for the future.”
These dynamic opportunities weren’t your typical college student “resume builders”, they were proof that her education was translating directly into professional readiness through the learning experiences offered at HCU.
Financial Support: The Foundation That Made It All Possible
For many transfer students, the financial picture is one of the most stressful parts of the transition. Scholarships don’t always transfer and aid packages can change.
Edmi received a scholarship and a TEACH Grant as a transfer student. This support significantly reduced her monthly costs and changed what was possible for her academic career.
“The funding made it financially possible for me to continue my education without overwhelming stress,” she says.
“It meant I could focus on my studies without constantly worrying about finances. For my family, it meant I wasn’t placing a heavy financial burden on them. That peace of mind meant everything.”
An Animation Degree That Did More Than Expected
Edmi came to HCU to study Animation. She received a learning experience that helped her cultivate a versatile creative skill set and lock in a job in highly competitive field.
The Fine Arts department didn’t just teach her animation — it exposed her to graphic design, 3D printing and a range of adjacent disciplines that expanded both what she could do and who she could be professionally.
“Majoring in Animation opened many doors for me,” she explains. “The Fine Arts department offered a variety of classes beyond animation, including graphic design and 3D printing. Those additional skills became essential in helping me secure a graphic design position, while still maintaining a strong foundation in animation and motion graphics.”
As an institution known for leveraging CORE courses and electives to enhance student degree plans, every class taken at HCU was an accelerator to prepare her for the multi-faceted demands of her career. Transfer students benefit from our comprehensive and integrated curriculum to ensure every credit hour offers a return on investment.
“Learning both animation and graphic design made me more versatile and competitive in the job market directly contributed to my current career path.”
Edmi Salazar
The Full-Circle Moment
Edmi graduated from HCU with her Animation degree, a portfolio shaped by years of intentional work and a skill set that bridged animation, motion graphics and graphic design. What came next is the kind of outcome that makes a story feel complete. 
She now works as a full-time graphic designer at Houston Christian University.
The campus she arrived at as a hopeful transfer student and the community that helped her grow are now her coworkers and peers. She helps shape the University’s visual identity while pouring her creativity back into the institution that poured into her.
Her Advice to Transfer Students Considering HCU
For transfer students sitting with uncertainty — wondering whether to make the move, Edmi has a clear, direct message.
“I would encourage transfer students to choose HCU because of its strong academic programs, small class sizes and supportive community,” she says. “The variety of skills I gained here prepared me not just academically, but professionally and personally as well.”
For students still on the fence, she has advice too. “I would encourage them to visit campus and speak with an admissions counselor,” she says. “Seeing the environment firsthand and understanding how their degree plan would look at HCU can bring clarity and confidence to the decision.”
From UNM transfer student to HCU graduate, Edmi’s story isn’t just inspiring — it’s a blueprint for what’s possible when a transfer students take a leap of faith.