Academic Advising and Transfer Center Blog

Student Celebrations for National Transfer Student Week

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National Transfer Student Week will be October 19 – 23, 2026. Please join us in celebrating YOU – our transfer students!

 

We will have three events for transfer students. Please read further to learn more about each event.

 

Monday, October 19: “Donut” Forget It’s Transfer Student Week

We will be handing out free donuts from HyVee, beginning at 7:30AM and going until we run out of donuts! This is a come and go event, so please stop by the second floor of the PSU (by the piano) to grab a donut!

 

Wednesday, October 21: P.A.W.S. (Pet Away Worry & Stress)

We will have therapy dogs (courtesy of Pet Therapy of the Ozarks) and stress-relieving crafts (courtesy of Student Wellness and the Counseling Center) in Magers 100 from 2:30PM – 3:30PM! This is a come and go event, so stop by to pet a dog (or two), make a craft, and learn more about what resources Student Wellness and the Counseling Center can provide for you!

 

Thursday, October 22: Men’s Soccer Transfer Student Night

Most of our men’s soccer team are transfer students, so please join your fellow transfer students, as well as Bearpawcalypse (our official student section), in cheering on the men’s soccer team! The game will begin at 7:30PM in the Allison South Stadium.

 

We would love to see you at any (or all!) of these events during National Transfer Student Week. Every event you attend provides an additional entry into our drawing for a Bookstore gift card! The winner will be notified via email on October 23.

 

Follow @mostatetransfer on Instagram to learn more about National Transfer Student Week and to see some of your fellow transfer students featured throughout the week!

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 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

Transfer Advocate Blog, Issue 34

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Missouri State News

Twilight Tours

New from our Office of Admissions: Twilight Tours! Transfer and adult students are welcome to join us for a special evening on campus, beginning at 4:30PM. Attendees will experience a transfer and adult student presentation before embarking on a guided tour of campus. There will be three opportunities this fall to participate! Registration is required.

Register for Twilight Tours!

Transfer News

Take part in National Transfer Student Week celebrations!

The National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS) hosts an annual National Transfer Student Week. This year, National Transfer Student Week will be October 20-24, 2025. Missouri State will be taking part in National Transfer Student Week celebrations. Please visit the link below to receive more details about the celebrations.

National Transfer Student Week Celebrations

 

Transfer Resources

“Transfer Portal + CUSA: Game Plans for Student Athlete Success”

Step onto the field with us for an advisor forum all about supporting student athletes. Our presenters will give a behind-the-scenes look at the Athletic Achievement Center, introducing staff and the resources that help athletes thrive both on and off the field. We’ll tackle the move to CUSA and explore what it means for student athletes—and for advisors helping them navigate new travel schedules and challenges. Plus, we’ll dive into the transfer portal, its impact on college athletics, and strategies for guiding transfer student athletes to success. Join the conversation during National Transfer Student Week and learn how to help every athlete stay on track, in class and in the game. Registration is encouraged.

Fall 2025 Advisor Forum Schedule & Registration

 

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 Meeting Minutes

Transfer Advocate Blog, Issue 33

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Missouri State News

Karasyn Wilson Hired as Transfer Specialist

Please welcome Karasyn Wilson to Missouri State University! Karasyn will begin her new role as the Transfer Specialist in the Academic Advising & Transfer Center on Monday, September 8. Karasyn will be coming to Missouri State from Ozarks Tech, where she has worked as a Navigator since 2019.

 

Transfer News

Building Transfer Student Belonging Through Orientation

Indiana University – Indianapolis launched a transfer orientation for new students in Fall 2024. Ashley Mowreader writes about the success of this orientation and what IU Indianapolis has planned for future transfer students.

Inside Higher Ed Article

 

Transfer Resources

Follow @MoStateTransfer on Instagram

Are you curious about the transfer experience at Missouri State? Do you work with transfer students? We encourage you to check out @MoStateTransfer on Instagram, and ask you to invite the transfer students you interact with to follow this Instagram account for the latest updates on what it’s like to be a Transfer Bear.

MoStateTransfer Instagram

 

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