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.

Missouri State News

Celebrate Nontraditional Student Week and National First-Generation College Student Week!

Next week is a busy week! November 4-8 is Nontraditional Student Week and National First-Generation College Student Week! You can follow the Adult Student Services Blog and the MSU: I’m First Instagram account to read about our wonderful nontraditional and first-generation students throughout the week!

Take part in the Nontraditional Student Celebration on November 6!

Transfer News

Adventures in Advising Podcast

Campbell Keele, Coordinator of Transfer Initiatives in the Academic Advising & Transfer Center, was recently featured on an episode of the “Adventures in Advising” podcast with host Matt Markin. Campbell and Matt discuss National Transfer Student Week and tips for working with transfer students.

Adventures in Advising Podcast

Transfer Resources

MoStateAdvising YouTube Channel

Did you miss last month’s transfer advisor forum (or any of the other virtual forums held this Fall)? You can watch the recordings of our Fall 2024 virtual advisor forums on the Academic Advising & Transfer Center’s YouTube channel! To receive credit for watching a forum on YouTube, please log into your Master Advisor account and use the “Enter Custom Training” link.

MoStateAdvising YouTube Channel

Transfer Advising Committee

The Transfer Advising Committee works in cooperation with Transfer Council and the Provost’s Academic Advising Council 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

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.”

Meet Zackary Collison, a transfer student from Plato, MO!

Zackary transferred to Missouri State University from George Mason University. Zackary is pursuing the Criminology & Criminal Justice major at Missouri State University.

When asked why Zackary chose to transfer to Missouri State University, Zackary said, “I initially chose to transfer to Missouri State University because my family was moving from Virginia to Missouri. However, I was also seeking a school that had more ways for me to get involved. Missouri State has been just that! Since moving, I have become an active member on the MSU Mock Trial team, I am the Transfer Living-Learning Community Resident Assistant in Kentwood, and I am constantly running around campus.”

Zackary’s advice for a new transfer student would be to, “get involved in anything that interests you. There are hundreds of student organizations that are an excellent place for you to explore your passions and to make new friends. Don’t be afraid to try new things and explore. MSU has all sorts of events across campus to interact with others, learn about great MSU traditions, and have fun. Do your best to get out of your comfort zone and talk to at least one person in each of your classes and in your residence hall. The people here are truly some of the kindest, so reach out.”

Zackary would like to take this opportunity to give a shout-out to the people who have supported Zackary the most during the transfer process at Missouri State – Zackary’s family and the faculty at MSU. Zackary says, “I’d like to thank my family for their support. My professors are amazing at pushing me, guiding me, and providing me with resources to accomplish my goals. I’d specifically like to shout out Dr. LaPrade from the Criminology department for coaching our mock trial team and making learning interactive. Caryn Saxon has also been such a positive face of the Criminology department and has helped set me up with a great internship at Greene County Children’s Division. Go Bears!”