The University of Toledo is celebrating transfer students as part of National Transfer Student Week.
Sahvaan Price spends her time at The University of Toledo connecting with the next generation of college students.
After an extended gap year and time at Owens Community College, Sahvaan Price became a Rocket and found a campus community committed to her success.
“I want to be that voice for kids that encourages them to seek higher education and do great things for themselves,” said Price, a senior studying information systems.
Price’s education, though, didn’t start on the traditional path.
After graduating from Bowsher High School, she planned to take a gap year, but that ultimately ended up being two years that included setbacks from COVID-19 and unforeseen debts.
Price said that she worked hard and paid off her remaining debt and began at Owens Community College in summer 2023 and then transferred to UToledo to join the John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation.
“I just think that the community at UToledo is really good,” she said. “People want to see the best out of you.”
Price said she felt supported upon her arrival at UToledo, finding value in groups like Women in Business Leadership and Minority Professionals in Business (MPIB), where she holds the role of treasurer. She currently works in the Business Career Programs Office where she assists students gain internships and helps at the annual job fair.
“The one thing that I really learned from the job fair is to relax for interviews. Employers are not only learning about you, but you also want to learn if they are a good fit for you.”
The Business Career Programs Office assists business students to secure internships during their undergraduate and graduate careers and full-time placement upon graduation.
Craig Turner, program manager of the office, said that Price has been a tremendous asset.
“She has been helpful in coordinating our department events, such as mock interview day and the job fair — and she has taken an active role in assisting me with the Young Executive Scholars (Y.E.S.) Program,” Turner said. “She and some of the members of MPIB will be partnering with me to facilitate a career development workshop through mock interviews, resume writing, elevator pitch and more for the students in the Y.E.S. Program. This will be a valuable experience for them to connect with college students who can mentor and support them.”
The Y.E.S. Program is a collaboration between Neff College of Business and Jones Leadership Academy of Business that aims to cultivate the academic potential of underrepresented students, preparing them for success in higher education.
“MPIB and I attended the Y.E.S. retreat where we talked about our journey as college students,” Price said. “Then we have an upcoming retreat where we plan to do mock interviews with the high school students and give advice on their resumes. This has been a great opportunity to connect and help the next generation, which has been something I enjoy.”
In addition to her work in the Business Career Programs Office and the Y.E.S. Program, Price also has completed two internships: Spartan Chemical Co. in fall 2024 and Marathon Petroleum last summer.
“A lot of people talk about business value, but I wasn’t sure what it meant until my internships. I learned if it saves money and time and increases safety, you are creating business value,” Price said. “During my internship at Marathon, I took on a pretty big project that provided business value and the organization considered it to be a priority after that.”
Price said that she learned a lot about her future career path during her internship, information she learned through being empowered at UToledo.
Price plans to continue mentoring youth while she starts her career in information systems.
“After graduation I want to give back and help the younger kids,” said Price. “That’s why I like to take up any opportunity I can that involves helping the youth.”
Price said she is grateful for all the opportunities that UToledo has given her. She has a bright future ahead of her thanks to the support she’s received from the Business Career Programs Office and the hands-on skills she learned from her internships.
“I never would have imagined being in this position a few years ago.”
For more information about UToledo’s campus events for National Transfer Student Week, read the UToledo News story.