Meet Campbell Keele, the Coordinator of Transfer Initiatives in the Academic Advising and Transfer Center! Campbell serves as the academic advisor for transfer students in Undeclared, General Studies, and Pre-Professional programs, as well as the coordinator for transfer-related activities on campus, such as professional development (for faculty and staff) and events (for students).

Campbell’s journey in higher education began when she attended Three Rivers College and graduated with an Associate of Arts in Business Administration. Campbell then transferred to MSU to earn a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Master of Business Administration. Campbell says, “I grew up in Poplar Bluff and was fortunate to be able to attend TRC for free, through the athletic and academic scholarships I received, so it made sense to stay close to home for my first two years of college. My plan always included transferring to another school after I graduated from TRC, but I wasn’t sure where I wanted to transfer – until I took a tour of Missouri State my freshman year of college. During that tour, I fell in love with the campus and knew immediately that MSU was where I wanted to go!”

Campbell describes her transfer experience as, “difficult at first. The academic part of my transfer was really easy – I was able to seamlessly transfer all my credits and graduate from Missouri State in two years, as I had always planned. What I hadn’t planned for was how challenging it would be for me to find a sense of community. I transferred to Missouri State not knowing anyone. I really struggled with feeling brave enough to step out of my comfort zone and attend events or join student organizations, so I spent the first half of my first semester feeling incredibly lonely. It wasn’t until I joined Kentwood Hall Council that I found the community I had been missing. That gave me the courage to take advantage of other opportunities on campus, and I became so passionate about how incredible Missouri State is that I never wanted to leave!”

Campbell was serious about never wanting to leave Missouri State! Immediately upon graduation, Campbell began working as an academic advisor in Missouri State’s College of Business, where she worked for three years before accepting the Coordinator of Transfer Initiatives position. She says, “I truly feel like I have the best job on campus. I get to work with transfer students every single day, helping them through the same processes, challenges, and successes I went through as a transfer student 10 years ago.” Campbell uses her experience as a transfer student to serve the students she works with, including giving them the advice of, “Getting involved! Pick one student organization to join and you’ll be able to get connected with students you have something in common with. There are so many opportunities (inside and outside of the classroom) that you can only experience as a college student, so take advantage of those opportunities while you can!”

Some of those opportunities include attending transfer-specific events. “I would encourage every student to attend our Transfer Student Social at the beginning of every academic year. It’s the best way to meet transfer students and talk with students who are experiencing the same things you are!”