From Niger to Neuroscience: Transfer Student Finds Mentorship and Belonging at LVC

Key Points:

• Farida Tassiou '26 transferred from HACC to Lebanon Valley College to pursue Neuroscience/Pre-Med.
• Her path to medicine was shaped early in Niger, where experiences with conflict inspired her commitment to healing and improving access to care.
• At LVC, she found strong academic and personal support from faculty, staff, and mentors, which helped her adjust and thrive despite an initially difficult transition.
• She was actively involved in campus life as Black Student Union President, a Mosaic Mentor, transfer mentor, and Biology lab teaching assistant.
• Tassiou credits LVC's mentorship-driven community for helping her build confidence, find belonging, and prepare for a future in medicine.

For Farida Tassiou '26, transferring to Lebanon Valley College from HACC was about finding a place that felt challenging in the classroom and supportive beyond it. After earning an associate degree in pre-health professions, she knew she needed a college that valued mentorship, personal connection, and hands-on learning, especially as a Neuroscience/Pre-Med student preparing for medical school.

Tassiou's journey toward medicine began long before college. Growing up in Niger, she witnessed conflict at a young age and saw "how deeply it affected innocent lives." Those early experiences shaped her understanding of suffering, healing, and the importance of access to care, planting "the first seed of my desire to pursue medicine."

Academically, the transition to LVC was demanding but empowering. Neuroscience challenged her to think deeply and critically, while strong academic support helped her adjust and succeed. Socially, the transition was more difficult at first. Leaving home and living on campus made her feel lonely, but that feeling didn't last. "The warmth, care, and attention of professors and staff quickly made LVC feel like home," she said.

What stood out most to Tassiou was the faculty and staff's investment in student success. She credits professors who went beyond scheduled office hours to support her emotionally and academically, and mentors who helped her transform her experiences into purpose. Support even came from unexpected places. In the Mund College Center, a dining services staff member made intentional efforts to help Tassiou feel welcomed. Her encouragement and kindness made it easier for Tassiou to eat in the dining hall, something that had initially been difficult for her.

Outside the classroom, Tassiou was deeply involved in campus life, serving as President of the Black Student Union, a transfer student mentor, a Mosaic Mentor, a Biology lab teaching assistant, and more. As she prepares for the next step in her journey, Tassiou says, "An LVC education offers academic excellence rooted in mentorship, compassion, and a deep sense of belonging."

Her story reflects how LVC continues to thrive by surrounding students with care, meeting them where they are, and helping them turn resilience into purpose.