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Freshman Transition Coordinators
In addition to the professional staff in the Freshman Dean's Office, eight Freshman Transition Coordinators (FTCs) work throughout the spring and summer to ensure a smooth transition to Stanford for the Class of 2012 and new transfers.
Debbie Chen '10
Birthday: May 9
Hometown: Cerritos, CA
Major: Human Biology
Since coming to Stanford, I have learned: The value of balance.
My favorite class: Humbio core.
My favorite memory from freshman year: Winning US Nationals.
The craziest thing I have done at Stanford: Fountain hopping in the rain.
My advice to freshmen: Do what you do best, and approach all things with an open mind.
Anne Cherniss '11
Birthday: December 17
Hometown: Los Gatos, CA
Major: Undeclared, likely Economics
Since coming to Stanford, I have learned: To work hard and be passionate but not to take everything so seriously.
My favorite class: Brainstorming India.
My favorite place on campus: There is courtyard right next to MemChu with some circular benches. It is incredibly serene and beautiful and if you stand in the center your voice will echo!
The craziest thing I have done at Stanford: Hit golf balls in Frost Amphitheater.
The best advice I ever received: Find friends who love and challenge you and who let you love and challenge them.
Sarah Johnson '09
Birthday: February 16
Hometown: Siler City, NC
Major: Urban Studies, Concentration in Urban Planning and Design
Since coming to Stanford, I have learned: Time management skills, and that not everything is worth stressing about.
My favorite class: Any Urban Studies course.
My favorite memory from freshman year: 5:00 a.m. gatherings in Ujamaa’s Crossroad.
The people who have had the greatest influence on my life: My family.
My advice to freshmen: Relish every day of freshman year because one day, you’re going to look back and wonder where it went…and budget your Cardinal Dollars because they WILL disappear.
Chris Khavarian '10
Birthday: April 21
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Major: Management Science and Engineering
Since coming to Stanford, I have learned: To value every moment. You will be surprised how fast time flies.
My favorite class: PWR (I had amazing professors) and my Introductory Seminars.
My favorite memory from freshman year: My Alternative Spring Break trip to New Orleans! Make sure you do an ASB trip before you graduate.
The best advice I ever received: Be yourself!
My advice to freshmen: Enjoy all 23,414,400 seconds of your freshman year!
Victoria Kennedy '10
Birthday: July 29
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Major: Undecided
My favorite class: Congalese dance class.
My favorite place on campus: The Black Community Services Center (it’s really comfortable).
The craziest thing I have done at Stanford: Danced for 24 hours straight at Dance Marathon.
The best advice I ever received: Life’s tough. Get a helmet.
If I could bring anything from my hometown to Stanford, it would be: The sheer energy of Atlanta. It’s just so amazing.
Ben Lauing '11
Birthday: February 5
Hometown: Palo Alto, CA
Major: Human Biology, hopefully with a minor or concentration in Psychology
Since coming to Stanford, I have learned: How many opportunities Stanford provides. I have learned to branch out and try new things but to be careful not to overcommit myself and wear myself out. I have also learned the importance of sleep!
My favorite class: Sorry, I can’t pick just one. Introduction to Nutrition, Energy Issues in the Modern World, and Early Social Cognitive Development.
If I had to cook all of my meals, I'd probably survive on: Cereal. Frosted Mini-Wheats, Honey Bunches of Oats (WITH almonds), and Honey Nut Cheerios.
The craziest thing I have done at Stanford: A cappella auditions
My advice to freshmen: You will undoubtedly confront something here at Stanford—likely within your first few weeks—that will confuse you, upset you, or make you want to give up. Push through it—you can do it! Rely on the incredible resources here—from RAs and advisors to friends and classmates. If you need help, it is there for you—you just have to seek it out. Be proactive! Get out of bed. Go to that 9:00 a.m. class that really interests you. Walk the Dish with a friend. Go to office hours. Jump in the Claw. And come visit us in the Freshman Dean’s Office—we love frosh!
Liz Parissenti '11
Birthday: May 7
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Major: Human Biology/ Geological & Environmental Science
Since coming to Stanford, I have learned: To never underestimate myself, to embrace individuality, to wear sweatpants to class (I had a dress code in high-school), and to wear sandals in the shower.
My favorite class: Wagner’s Ring Cycle and J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings
My favorite memory from freshman year: Going to Taiwan over Spring Break for a program at National Taiwan University.
The best advice I ever received: Never forget who you are, where you are, and how you got there.
My advice to freshmen: Be open-minded about people, classes, and activities. Stanford holds so much more than high school – take advantage of it!
Max Sosna-Spear '11
Birthday: November 7
Hometown: Santa Barbara, CA
Major: Comparative Literature
Since coming to Stanford, I have learned: How short and long ten weeks can be .
My favorite class: Around the World in Seventeen Syllables: Haiku in Japan, the U.S., and the (Digital) World.
My favorite memory from freshman year: Performing on the MemAud stage during Admit Weekend.
The craziest thing I have done at Stanford: Went out on Lake Lag in a leaky raft while it was raining.
The best advice I ever received: Go to bed.