Academic Advising and Transfer Center Blog

2025 Curtis P. Lawrence Excellence in Advising Award Winners Announced

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Dr. Rhonda Stanton, Azaria Hogans, and Karmen Brewer will be recognized as the recipients of the 2025 Curtis P. Lawrence Excellence in Advising Awards at the Kathy J. Davis Master Advisor Reception on March 10, 2025, from 4-5 p.m. in the Ballroom East in Plaster Student Union. Each will be presented with a plaque and $1,500 award.

Dr. Rhonda Stanton

Azaria Hogans

Karmen Brewer

Stanton is an associate professor and professional and technical writing program director in the English department.

Hogans is an assistant professor and BFA & BS coordinator in the theatre and dance department.

Brewer serves as a Senior Academic Advisor in the Business Advisement Center.

Each year, this award is presented to one undergraduate faculty advisor, one undergraduate staff advisor, and 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.

Gates Breedlove-Koepke Named President Elect for MACADA

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Gates Breedlove-Koepke, academic advisor in the Academic Advising and Transfer Center, has been named President Elect of the Missouri Academic Advising Association (MACADA) Executive Board. She will serve a three-year term transitioning to President in 2025 and then Past President in 2026.

Gates joined Missouri State as an academic advisor in 2021. Her advising population includes Bachelor of General Studies students, Undeclared students, high school Dual Enrollment Students, and PharmD Reverse Transfer students. In addition to serving as the Undeclared Pre-Health SOAR Advisor, Gates is also a per-course instructor for GEP 101 and supports the development and implementation of technology-driven initiatives for the advising community.

Curtis P. Lawrence Excellence in Advising Award Winners announced

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Dr. Aida Hass-Wisecup, Dr. Billie Follensbee and Heather M. Luellen will be recognized as the recipients of the 2024 Curtis P. Lawrence Excellence in Advising Awards at the Kathy J. Davis Master Advisor Reception on March 19, 2024, from 4-5 p.m. in the Union Club in Plaster Student Union. Each will be presented with a plaque and $1,500 award.

Dr. Aida Hass-Wisecup

Dr. Billie Follensbee

Heather Luellen

Hass-Wisecup is a professor and graduate program director in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

Follensbee is a professor and museum studies program coordinator in the art and design department.

Luellen serves as staff music director/accompanist in the theatre and dance department.

Each year, this award is presented to one undergraduate faculty advisor, one undergraduate staff advisor and this year a graduate advisor category has been added. 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 19

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Missouri State News

Campbell Keele Receives National Award

Campbell Keele, coordinator of transfer initiatives in the Academic Advising and Transfer Center, has been selected as a recipient of the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS) “Transfer Champion-Rising Star Award.” This national award is only awarded to four recipients a year. According to NISTS, “the Rising Star Award recognizes professionals who are making important contributions but are relatively new to the transfer field.”

Read more here

 

Transfer News

Are Adult Learners Obtaining Bachelor’s Degrees After Transferring?

“Study findings suggest no difference in the likelihood of graduating from four-year institutions between nontraditional-aged or first-generation community college transfer students and their counterparts.” Terry Ishitani, from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, shares the factors that impact successful degree attainment and recommendations for removing barriers to degree attainment.

Inside Higher Education Article

 

Transfer Resources

Attend the 2024 COTA Conference!

The 2024 COTA Conference will be held on Friday, March 1, 2024 at the Truman Building in Jefferson City, MO. This year’s theme is “Bridging the Gap for Transfer Students”, and will address challenges with respect to student transfer, credit vs non-credit alignment, articulation agreements, and institutional policy. Registration for the 2024 COTA Conference is now open.

Register for the 2024 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

Campbell Keele Receives National Award

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Campbell Keele, coordinator of transfer initiatives in the Academic Advising and Transfer Center, has been selected as a recipient of the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS) “Transfer Champion-Rising Star Award.” This national award is only awarded to four recipients a year. According to NISTS, “the Rising Star Award recognizes professionals who are making important contributions but are relatively new to the transfer field.”

Campbell attended Missouri State University as a transfer student after receiving an associate degree in business administration at Three Rivers Community College. At Missouri State, she earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and master’s degree in business administration, and then began her professional career as an academic advisor in 2019. As coordinator, Campbell advises undeclared and Bachelor of General Studies transfer students, chairs the University-wide Transfer Advising Committee, serves as a partner for the Transfer Bears Living Learning Community, offers professional development related to transfer advising, and serves as a point of contact with advising professionals from two-year institutions. In 2022, she planned and implemented the first Transfer Student Week at Missouri State with great success. Partnering with various university offices and resources, she executed multiple events specifically for transfer students as well as a social media campaign spotlighting transfer students throughout the week.

Ross Hawkins, director of the Academic Advising and Transfer Center and Campbell’s supervisor stated, “I have been thoroughly impressed by her commitment to the field of academic advising and the passion she has demonstrated specifically towards advising transfer students. Her energy and enthusiasm to serve students and colleagues is contagious. Campbell is one of the most visible and respected staff members at the University regarding transfer student advocacy.”

Campbell will be recognized at the 2024 NISTS Conference in St. Louis in February for this achievement.