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During National Transfer Student Week, BHC celebrates our students’ and alumni’s journeys. Stay tuned this week to meet BHC alumni attending four-year institutions and discover how BHC helped them pave the way to success.
Celine Suarez: University of Illinois Chicago
When Celine Suarez graduated from United Township High School in 2022, she wasn’t ready to move away from home.
The 2024 Associate in Arts graduate of Black Hawk College wanted an affordable option to help prepare her for the next chapter before transferring.
Suarez initially planned to come to Black Hawk College to pursue a music education degree; her interest in political science deepened after taking political theory her last year.
As a first-generation student, the TRIO program helped her move forward in her college journey.
“I had no idea how to navigate college, the different degree programs or where I should transfer,” Suarez said.
“They helped me in filling out applications, waivers, FAFSA, and offered many university trips to expand my horizons.”
With their help, she chose the University of Illinois Chicago because it is one of Illinois’ best public research institutions, has a diverse campus environment and offers multiple opportunities.
In her couple of years, she’s done several internships and has been offered jobs after graduation. There, she studies political science and hopes to become an immigration lawyer.
“Since transferring, I’ve been able to expand my horizons with new ideas shared by so many different kinds of people,” Suarez said.
Throughout the transfer process, Suarez said it’s vital to take your time.
“It feels like you need to rush and follow a timeline compared to everyone else, but trust me you don’t,” she said.
“You are on your own timeline and what is meant for you will come, so enjoy and utilize all the resources you can.”
Bella McDaniel: St. Ambrose University
Bella McDaniel earned her Associate in Arts degree after completing her coursework from Black Hawk College.
After struggling with mental health, she started her nonprofit, Delivered with Purpose, during her junior year of high school, which helps youth and athletes through workshops, resources and community events.
Since then, she’s worked with 20 teams and various organizations in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. One of them being Black Hawk College.
“Black Hawk College has supported Delivered by allowing athlete workshops and monthly events on campus for athletes,” McDaniel said.
Since graduating from Black Hawk College, McDaniel transferred to St. Ambrose University, where she’s double majoring in politics, law and leadership and psychology with a minor in sports and recreation management.
After graduation, she plans to continue her degree in mental health counseling, specializing in sports.
St. Ambrose University felt like the right fit because of its numerous transfer scholarships and a campus culture that encourages students to get involved beyond academics through clubs and organizations.
There, she is involved in Campus Ministry, the Model UN Team and the tennis team as manager.
In her short time on campus, she is leaving her mark with Delivered with Purpose.
“In the two months at St. Ambrose, it has already shown a lot of support from staff and student-athletes. We are currently adding Delivered as an organization on campus,” McDaniel said.
Nyzaria Robinson-Wyatt: Augustana College
Nyzaria Robinson-Wyatt’s participation in the Student Government Association, the Gray Matters Collective, a music program, TRIO and her work as a peer mentor at Black Hawk College helped her stay active in her hobbies while building relationships with her peers.
Black Hawk College offered a wide variety of psychology courses, which helped the Associate in Arts 2025 graduate develop a passion for working with families and diagnosing disorders.
Through transfer days, where she spoke with college representatives and toured four-year colleges with TRIO, she learned more about Augustana College, where she’s majoring in psychology and minoring in entrepreneurial studies.
She encourages students to tour campus, connect with current students at their desired transfer school, check which credits transfer over and look at financial options before enrolling.
These steps can make transitions easier, even when changing schools brings the nerves that come with it.
“I was pleased to learn that there are so many transfer students from BHC at Augustana who I have been able to connect with and share experiences with. There is also a transfer student course,” Robinson-Wyatt said.
Throughout the transfer process, she encourages students to never do it alone.
“If you are planning to transfer to another college, don’t overwork yourself by preparing alone,” she said.
“My transfer process was so much easier because I had BHC advisors and mentors who were able to help me speak with and meet my new advisor and mentors at Augustana before I transferred.”
Maria Gerardo: Knox College
Maria Gerardo graduated from Black Hawk College in 2025 with her Associate in Arts. On campus, she was involved in the Student Government Association, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Writers’ Guild and she worked as a TRIO peer mentor.
She initially planned to study criminal justice at Black Hawk College, but changed her path to teaching, which she had been passionate about since she was young.
Through the employees and advisors of clubs and programs she joined and the professors who taught her, she was guided to get more involved, become more social and build connections.
When choosing a school to transfer to, she was drawn to Knox College for its history and educational studies programs, as well as its flexibility with the 3-3 academic calendar, which let her get more involved with her sorority and InterVarsity.
Gerardo encourages students, no matter which school they transfer to, to get as involved as possible.
“Don’t think you don’t have enough time to make an impact on campus. You have two or three years to make a great impact,” she said.
“Run for that position, join Greek life, or join that team. Anything you do will leave a mark.”
Ma Ner Soe: Western Illinois University
Ma Ner Soe came to Black Hawk College to study music after playing trumpet four years in the Moline High School band and Marching Maroons during his senior year, but didn’t know exactly what he wanted to pursue for a career.
With help from instructors in the BHC music program, he refined his passion and decided to study music business.
At BHC, he served as president of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, a member of the Student Government Association and played trumpet in Music Makers.
In 2026, he graduated with an Associate in Arts.
Academics, campus life and expenses factored into his decision before transferring to Western Illinois University.
He encourages students to make strategic decisions and make the most of their last couple of years.
“In making a considerable decision, knowledge is your biggest tool and weapon,” Soe said.
“Research the school like a final exam and make main points on what matters the most to your decision.”
“It’s important to be well academically but also take time to enjoy the last couple of years and make connections with new people.”