University of Advancing Technology's Official Technology Blog

It’s National Transfer Student Week, and at University of Advancing Technology (UAT), we’re celebrating students who took the leap to find the right fit for their future. One of those students is Marcus Frazier, a Robotics Engineering major who discovered that hands-on, project-based learning was exactly what he needed to succeed.

Marcus’s journey to UAT began after realizing that his first college experience wasn’t the right match for his learning style. “I actually started out at ASU,” Marcus said. “But it just didn’t work out too well there. The classes were huge — hundreds of students in a lecture hall — and it was hard to get any personal help. I’m a tactile learner, and I need to get my hands on something in order to really learn it.”

After taking a break from school, Marcus wasn’t sure when he’d go back. But fate stepped in one summer while he was — of all places — at Disney World.

“UAT reached out to me that summer,” he recalled. “I was tired of where I was working and wanted to advance my career. It felt like a second chance to go back and pursue my dream of robotics, so I took it. I had actually talked to UAT back in high school and didn’t take the chance then — so this time, I decided to go for it.”

Now in his seventh semester, Marcus has found exactly what he was looking for: a university that emphasizes hands-on, project-based learning and direct interaction with professors. “For me, transferring to UAT was the best decision because it gave me what I needed for my learning style,” Marcus explained. “Being project-based means I’m actually putting what I learn into practice right away. That’s something I didn’t get before.”

At UAT, every class involves creating, testing, and building — helping students apply lessons in real time. “We have projects due every week,” Marcus said. “You learn something new, and then you immediately use it. So by the time final projects come around, you already have the skills you need.”

He also appreciates UAT’s small class sizes and supportive faculty. “If I ever have a question, my professors take the time to explain it until I understand — without derailing the whole lesson. That’s something you don’t get in a huge lecture hall.”

As a 100% STEM university, UAT provides a learning environment tailored for students who think, build, and innovate differently. “Being a STEM school means they know what STEM students need,” Marcus said. “Technology is always changing, and we’re constantly learning about the newest advancements. UAT keeps us right on top of it.”

When asked what he would tell other students thinking about transferring, Marcus didn’t hesitate. “Go for it. Take a tour, check out what UAT has to offer, and take that chance. If you’re not happy where you are, or you’re passionate about technology and want to apply what you learn — this is the place to do it.”

From his first outreach call to thriving at a university built around innovation, Marcus’s story is proof that sometimes the best opportunities come when you least expect them.

Thinking about transferring to UAT?
Join a university built for makers, builders, and innovators. Learn more about how to transfer at uat.edu.