Transfer Stories

Karen Campos Pacheco

Meet Karen Campos Pacheco, a fourth-year child adolescent studies student who transferred from Fullerton College to Cal State Fullerton.

Like many educators, child adolescent studies student Karen Campos Pacheco loves to help people.

From a young age, she displayed a natural inclination toward caring for others, especially her cousins at home. “My mom always told me that I would be a great teacher,” she said. “I always liked working around kids, so I thought being a teacher would suit me very well.”

At school, however, she often felt isolated in a learning environment that lacked belonging, creativity, and collaboration. Seeing the impact on herself and her peers, these experiences cultivated her passion for building empowering spaces where students could thrive.

Today, as a fourth-year transfer student at Cal State Fullerton, Karen is passionate about making the world a better place, one classroom at a time.

The Start of Something New

As the first in her family to attend college, Karen was unsure if college was the right path for her. “I was very lost,” she recalled. “I didn’t know what I was going to do, but I just knew I had to do something.”

Everything changed when a Fullerton College outreach counselor introduced her to the Teacher Pathway Program, a cohort-based experience that prepares students for careers in education. The Promise Program’s two years of free tuition for first-time college students also caught her attention, providing peace of mind to pursue her college education at no cost.

At Fullerton College, Karen had the opportunity to explore her passion in education by building faculty connections and serving as a peer mentor to fellow students in the Teacher Pathway Program.

But it wasn’t always easy. She credits her counselor, Rosemary Vilchis, with giving her the confidence and courage to overcome initial feelings of self-doubt. “She uplifted my spirits a lot and told me that I am capable,” she said.

The Transfer Center was also instrumental in helping her navigate the transfer process from Fullerton College to Cal State Fullerton, saying, “They helped make sure I was on track to graduate and take the correct classes for my major to transfer.”

Karen graduated from Fullerton College in 2025 with an associate’s degree in child and adolescent development, placing on the president’s honor list and receiving several scholarships for her academic achievements.

“Fullerton College really showed me that I am capable,” she said.

Two young people wearing school apparel smile for the camera outdoors in front of a modern building.

Karen Campos Pacheco celebrating her commitment to Cal State Fullerton with a pennant at the 2025 Transfer Celebration.

The Titan Experience

As an incoming transfer student to Cal State Fullerton, Karen was determined to get involved on campus right away.

Within the first week, she discovered a lively campus community filled with thousands of students and a variety of fun events, including the ASI Farmers Market, Concerts at the Becker, and Fall and Spring Concert.

She also jumped headfirst into student life within her major, joining Titan Future Teachers, Student California Teachers Association and Project Propel.

To Karen, “Being a Titan is making the most out of my experience.”

Karen Campos Pacheco with fellow classmates and Chef Motokichi Yukimura, owner of the viral Kichi Kichi Omurice restaurant in Japan. (Courtesy of Karen Campos Pacheco)

Karen Campos Pacheco with CAS 394 cohort in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Courtesy of CSUF Study Abroad)

Global Perspectives

Early on, Karen knew she wanted to experience the world by studying abroad. She began her global studies at Fullerton College, where she took an international business course in Japan alongside other community college students.

“Not only was visiting Japan a dream of mine, but it was exciting to have the opportunity to take a course abroad and learn through firsthand experiences,” she said.

At Cal State Fullerton’s Experience CSUF event, Karen came across a study abroad program offered through the Department of Child and Adolescent Studies. Eager to expand her global learning, she enrolled in CAS 394 to study in Buenos Aires, Argentina. There, she completed a practicum focused on intimate partner and family violence prevention and reconciliation, proving to be an impactful experience.

“I learned from local organizations that support children and families, strengthened my passion for working in education and realized the profound impact educators have, not only on their students but also on families, communities and the world around them,” she said. “They have reminded me that some of the most meaningful learning happens when we are willing to step beyond what is familiar.”

This January, Karen is heading to Costa Rica for her next practicum, eager to learn about education, culture and community engagement.

Shaping the Next Generation

At Cal State Fullerton, Karen has found professional opportunities related to her major through the Upward Bound program, where she served as a summer residential advisor and now as a pre-college advisor. Living in the residence halls gave her the unique opportunity to experience campus life firsthand as a transfer student.

Reflecting on her experience working with high school students, she said, “I related to them since they were Latino, first-generation students. I was trying to help as much as I could so they could have all the support I wish I had at their age.”

Karen will graduate from Cal State Fullerton this spring with a bachelor’s degree in child and adolescent studies with an elementary education concentration. Up next, she will focus on obtaining her master’s degree and multiple subject teaching credential, with plans to attend UC Berkeley. She is also exploring the possibility of teaching English in Japan, where she hopes to share her passion for education abroad.

Transfer Success Starts Here

These students successfully transferred from Fullerton College to CSUF. With the Future Titan Center, so can you!