About Us

Who We Are

Our History

Too often students – especially those from historically disadvantaged backgrounds, become frustrated with the process of navigating the higher education journey — resulting in confusion, lack of engagement, and eventually — that dreaded give-up point.

The California Transfer Support Network was created to help ease the transfer process for students. Our founder, Matthew Bagdasar, experienced firsthand the frustration of trying to transfer from a community college to a four-year university. From the complicated articulation agreements to the preferred path of transferring, it appeared that every avenue for resources ultimately led to more questions. And with community college counselors stretched thin, who else is more capable of answering you community college transfer questions than a network of students who have gone through the process themselves

Our goal is to stress the benefits of attending a California Community College and answer the questions that largely stand in the way of making the decision. Community Colleges are often associated with intense stigma, and overcoming this barrier is a significant challenge. However, it is our hope that by generating a curated plan to the students specific request, we can demonstrate that transferring can open up a wide range of opportunities, while also benefiting yourself in the long-run by never walking into a loan office.

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What We Do

Why Work With Us

Advocates for a more transparent transfer process

It's Free

Our organization runs off the donations we receive, making our student support services 100% free of charge

Improve Employability

The opportunities for economic mobility increase with the completion of a Bachelors Degree.

Graduate

Think about yourself graduating from the University of your dream, now lets make it a reality!

Save Money

Community College is a cost-effective way to finish your GE’s and save money at the same time.

Network of transfer students

Work with a network of transfer students who can benefit you in a number of ways. For one, they can provide support and advice throughout the transfer process. They can also offer guidance on which classes to take and how to improve grades and test scores.

Additionally, transfer students have a wealth of knowledge and experience that can be beneficial to others in the network. They understand the challenges and frustrations that come with transferring and can offer helpful advice and support. So if you’re looking for help with your college education, a network of transfer students is a great place to start.

Comprehensive Credit Evaluation Techniques

The ideal student for our comprehensive credit evaluation techniques is somebody who wants to make the most of their community college education.

Our team will work with you one-on-one to create a customized plan that meets your unique needs and goals. Whether you’re interested in science, the arts, or business, we can find the correct path and transfer agreements to make it happen.

Simply tell us the institution you want to transfer to (preferably in the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) system) and the major, and we will tell you the exact classes you need to take.

Personalized Transfer Plans

A personalized transfer plan is essential for any student looking to transfer to a university.

A well-crafted transfer plan will ensure that students take the correct classes and fulfill all degree requirements. Additionally, a transfer plan can help students improve their grades and test scores. Students can create a plan that meets their unique needs and goals by working one-on-one with an expert. This ensures they make the most of their community college education and achieve their academic goals.

Services are Free of Charge

One of the benefits of our services is that they are free of charge. This allows students to focus on their education without having to worry about additional expenses. By providing this service, we are able to help students achieve their academic goals and prepare for a successful transfer to a 4-year university.

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Our Mission

The California Transfer Support Network (CTSN) is a nonprofit organization that provides community college transfer support services to students in California. We offer resources and information about the transfer process, financial aid, and scholarships.

We also offer advising and counseling services to help students succeed in their transition from community college to 4-year universities.

Our goal is to ensure that every student has the opportunity to achieve their academic goals.

Meet Our Team

Matthew Bagdasar

President & Executive Director

Matthew Bagdasar is the Founder of California Transfer Support Network. He is a post-graduate student from the University of Southern California (USC) with a bachelor's degree in Political Science and an associate's degree in Behavioral Sciences from San Diego City College. Matthew successfully transferred in two years and knows the challenges students face when transitioning to a four-year institution. As an avid Table Tennis player, Buffalo Bills fan, and someone motivated to change the narrative surrounding California Community Colleges, Matthew hopes to be an asset to students as they navigate their academic journey.

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Jimmy Bisharat

Secretary

Jimmy Bisharat graduated from San Diego State University (SDSU) with a degree in Business Finance. He began his journey at Grossmont/Cuyamaca Community College before successfully transferring to SDSU. Jimmy is driven to find opportunities, learn new skills, and build strong business relationships. During his time in college, Jimmy contributed broadly to the school community through different investment societies, clubs, and social events. His goal was to help others learn from his experiences and maintain a solid academic record while working in paid, unpaid, and principal positions. Jimmy sees himself perfectly aligned with the California Transfer Support Network Organization.

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Austin Garmo

Chief Financial Officer

Austin Garmo is our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. A post-graduate student from the University of California San Diego, Austin was born and raised in San Diego, California. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in both mathematics and economics, and he enjoys activities that are highly quantitative. Austin is currently working in the mortgage industry at RateRabbit and is keen on utilizing his management and due diligence skills. With position comes responsibility, and with responsibility comes motive and drive - something Austin carries with him as he indulges in this new commitment to furthering the college experience for those who seek the path of education.

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