Not your typical transfer student

FRESNO, Calif. — Kelly Aoki transferred from Fresno City College in the Fall of 2015 and didn’t expect to meet many people. She became involved in more activities than a typical student. She wasn’t just involved in one on-campus activity, but five. She works as the student photographer for University Communications, is a member of the TALK PR agency, sells advertising for the Collegian, works on non-profit projects and is President of the Alpha Delta Sigma Advertising club.

“It just seemed like something natural to do, all the Fresno State students seem to be doing something,” Aoki says.

On top of all of that, she started her own photography business called Mizue Photography two years ago when she was 20-years-old. She captures engagement, wedding, graduation, portraits photos, and much more.

Her boyfriend Ryan Toloy says he can only think of one word to describe Kelly: “Passionate.”

Matt Broughton, also a transfer student, says he understands why it’s important for transfer students to get involved and wants to relay the message to future trasnsfers.

“The best way to describe it is it’s kind of like you’re a freshman sometimes, only you’re not a freshman,” Broughton says.