Academic Advising and Transfer Center Blog

Transfer Advocate Blog, Issue 39

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Missouri State News

Curtis P. Lawrence Excellence in Advising Award Recipients Announced

Dr. Elizabeth King, Dr. Sarah Murray, and Jacob Clark will be recognized as the recipients of the 2026 Curtis P. Lawrence Excellence in Advising Awards at the Kathy J. Davis Master Advisor Reception on April 6, 2026, from 4-5 p.m. in the Union Club in Plaster Student Union. Each will be presented with a plaque and a $1500 award.

King is an associate professor in the School of Teaching, Learning, and Developmental Sciences.

Murray is an assistant professor in the School of Health Sciences.

Clark serves as an academic advisor I in the Education Advisement Center.

Each year, the university presents this award to one undergraduate faculty advisor, one undergraduate staff advisor, and one graduate advisor. The recipients of this award have demonstrated excellent advising to Missouri State students. Advisors are nominated by students, faculty, and staff. All nominees are given a chance to submit an application packet. A committee of past award recipients review and select the winners.

2026 Curtis P. Lawrence Excellence in Advising Awards Recipients

 

Transfer News

Spring 2026 Transfer Census Data

The Spring 2026 census arrived on February 17. Our top transfer institutions and top transfer programs for our Spring 2026 first-time transfer students are listed below.

Top Transfer Institutions for Spring 2026 First-Time Transfer Students: 1) Ozarks Technical Community College, 2) Missouri State University – West Plains, 3) Crowder College, 4) Evangel University, and 5) Saint Louis Community College.

Top Departments/Schools for Spring 2026 First-Time Transfer Students: 1) Nursing, 2) Psychology, 3) Finance, Economics, & Risk Management, 4) Childhood Education & Family Studies, and 5) the Pendleton Family School of Accountancy.

 

Transfer Resources

New Transfer Advising Committee Website

The Transfer Advising Committee is excited to announce that our website has been upgraded! The new website now features an updated committee charge and committee membership. We have also created a link to a Sharepoint site which features an archive of meeting minutes (linked in the section below) and a YouTube playlist of previously-recorded advisor forums related to transfer advising. You can visit the new website via the link below.

Transfer Advising Committee Website

 

Transfer Advising Committee

The Transfer Advising Committee has representation from each academic college and works collaboratively to develop best practices for transfer advising, facilitate communication regarding transfer student issues, and offer professional development for transfer advisors. The minutes from the Transfer Advising Committee’s latest meeting can be found below. (This information is only available to Missouri State faculty, staff, and students.)

February 2026 Transfer Advising Committee Meeting Minutes

2026 Curtis P. Lawrence Excellence in Advising Award Winners Announced

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Dr. Elizabeth King, Dr. Sarah Murray, and Jacob Clark will receive the 2026 Curtis P. Lawrence Excellence in Advising Award at the Kathy J. Davis Master Advisor Reception on April 6, 2026, from 4-5 p.m. in the Union Club in Plaster Student Union. Each recipient will receive a plaque and $1,500 award.

King is an associate professor in the School of Teaching, Learning, and Developmental Sciences.

Murray is an assistant professor in the School of Health Sciences.

Clark serves as an academic advisor I in the Education Advisement Center.

Each year, the university presents this award to one undergraduate faculty advisor, one undergraduate staff advisor, and one graduate advisor. The recipients of this award have demonstrated excellent advising to Missouri State students. Advisors are nominated by students, faculty, and staff. All nominees are given a chance to submit an application packet. A committee of past award recipients review and select the winners.

Transfer Advocate Blog, Issue 38

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Missouri State News

The Spring 2026 Advisor Forum Schedule is Available!

Please make plans to attend academic advisor forums in the Spring 2026 semester. All sessions except the Kathy J. Davis Master Advisor Reception count toward the three hours needed for annual renewal of Master Advisor designation. All faculty and staff are welcome, so please encourage colleagues to participate. Registration is strongly encouraged.

View the Spring 2026 advisor forum schedule and register today!

 

Transfer News

NISTS Joins the National Resource Center for First-Year Students and Students in Transition

Last month, we shared that the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS) would be joining the National Resource Center for First-Year Students and Students in Transition (NRC), after a press release was issued on December 4. On January 28, NISTS and the NRC held a webinar where more information about the future of NISTS was shared. You can view that webinar at the link below.

NISTS and NRC Webinar

 

Transfer Resources

Register for the 2026 COTA Conference!

It’s not too late to register for the 2026 COTA Conference, held on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Hilton – Garden Inn in Columbia, MO. This year’s theme is “Pathways Powered by Possibility: Innovation for Student Mobility”. Registration for the 2026 COTA Conference is now open.

2026 COTA Conference

 

Transfer Advising Committee

The Transfer Advising Committee has representation from each academic college and works collaboratively to develop best practices for transfer advising, facilitate communication regarding transfer student issues, and offer professional development for transfer advisors. The minutes from the Transfer Advising Committee’s latest meeting can be found below.

Transfer Advising Committee Minutes

Transfer Advocate Blog, Issue 37

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Missouri State News

On-Campus Transfer Student Orientation

On Friday, January 9, 2026, Missouri State will hold an optional on-campus transfer student orientation for Spring 2026 transfer students. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with campus resources, meet fellow transfer Bears, and get ready for a successful transition to life at Mo State. This orientation does not replace the mandatory online transfer orientation required before students can register for classes. Additional information about the orientation, including the full schedule, can be found below.

Spring 2026 Orientation for Transfer Students

 

Transfer News

NISTS Update

The National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS) will live on! On December 4, an integration of NISTS and the National Resource Center for the First Year Experience and Students in Transition (NRC) was announced. This integration will take place throughout 2026. Additional details can be found in the press release below.

NISTS Press Release

 

Transfer Resources

Register for the 2026 COTA Conference!

The 2026 COTA Conference will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Hilton – Garden Inn in Columbia, MO. This year’s theme is “Pathways Powered by Possibility: Innovation for Student Mobility”. Registration for the 2026 COTA Conference is now open.

2026 COTA Conference

 

Transfer Advising Committee

The Transfer Advising Committee has representation from each academic college and works collaboratively to develop best practices for transfer advising, facilitate communication regarding transfer student issues, and offer professional development for transfer advisors. The minutes from the Transfer Advising Committee’s latest meeting can be found below.

Transfer Advising Committee Minutes

Transfer Advocate Blog, Issue 36

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Missouri State News

Upcoming Advisor Forums and Workshops

There are a few remaining opportunities for professional development before the calendar year ends! We encourage you to participate as your schedule allows.

“Counseling Center: Overview of Services for Students and Other Campus Supports” will be held via Zoom on Monday, December 1 at 12:00PM. This forum is an opportunity to share what is new with the Counseling Center and discuss how they support students, staff and faculty at MSU.

“Connection Through Creativity: Harnessing the Power of Expression” will be held in PSU313 on Thursday, December 4 at 12:00PM. Christina Bowles will be leading an interactive presentation where participants will have an opportunity to practice low-pressure creative exercises and better understand how expression in various forms benefits student support.

Lastly, the Master Advisor Workshop will be held on December 15 – December 16, 2025. This workshop will provide a comprehensive analysis of theories, knowledge, skills and techniques for effective advising. Upon completion, participants earn the designation of Master Advisor.

Those interested can go to the link below to register for these opportunities.

Register for upcoming professional development opportunities.

 

Transfer News

Giving Credit Where It’s Overdue

“Reverse transfer – the practice of awarding associate degrees for credit earned in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree – is beneficial for colleges, state workforces, and the vast ‘some college, no credit’ population.” In this article from Inside Higher Ed, Ashley Mowreader explores why so few students opt in.

Inside Higher Ed Article

 

Transfer Resources

Register for the 2026 COTA Conference!

The 2026 COTA Conference will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Hilton – Garden Inn in Columbia, MO. This year’s theme is “Pathways Powered by Possibility: Innovation for Student Mobility”. Registration for the 2026 COTA Conference is now open. Conference proposals must be submitted by December 19, 2025.

COTA 2026 Conference

 

Transfer Advising Committee

The Transfer Advising Committee has representation from each academic college and works collaboratively to develop best practices for transfer advising, facilitate communication regarding transfer student issues, and offer professional development for transfer advisors. The minutes from the Transfer Advising Committee’s latest meeting can be found below.

Transfer Advising Committee Minutes