Meet Mal Grant, a transfer student from Nixa, MO!

Mal transferred to Missouri State University from Ozarks Tech. Mal is pursuing the Management & Leadership major at Missouri State University.

When asked why Mal chose to transfer to Missouri State University, Mal said, “I transferred to Missouri State because of my financial situation and family. Originally, I wanted to transfer to a school in Dallas because I have always loved the Dallas area, and I have lived in Southwest Missouri my whole life. However, I kept having doubts about being so far away from my family and I could not support myself financially. I also chose MSU because of the easy transfer process. There was someone always at OTC representing MSU.”

Mal says that there were some challenges in navigating the transfer process, including, “deadlines for different things such as scholarships, registering for classes, and when to buy my parking pass. Another thing that was challenging was figuring out my way through campus and online programs that Missouri State uses such as Brightspace and the websites for registering classes.” Mal says that the people at Missouri State have made the transfer process easier and more enjoyable, stating, “everyone has been really nice and welcoming. I was so worried that I was going to get judged, or people were going to look down at me because I am a transfer student, and I am not totally familiar with Missouri State. However, everyone has been really nice. My professors have been extremely welcoming and helpful.”

Mal’s advice for a new transfer student would be to know that “you are going to be okay. Transferring schools is scary no matter where you are transferring from. I was someone who was very anxious and nervous about transferring. I remember being so scared that I was going to look like an outcast and what people were going to think or say about me. I think transferring is one of those things where it sounds scary, and it might feel scary at first, but you end up feeling fine and liking it!”

Mal would like to take this opportunity give a shout-out to the people who have supported Mal the most during the transfer process at Missouri State – Mal’s parents. “My parents have been so supportive throughout my college journey, especially during my transfer to Missouri State. They have encouraged me to put myself out there more with finding ways to get involved and being bolder to introducing myself to make connections and friends.”