Academic Advising and Transfer Center Blog

Transfer Advocate Blog, Issue 38

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Missouri State News

The Spring 2026 Advisor Forum Schedule is Available!

Please make plans to attend academic advisor forums in the Spring 2026 semester. All sessions except the Kathy J. Davis Master Advisor Reception count toward the three hours needed for annual renewal of Master Advisor designation. All faculty and staff are welcome, so please encourage colleagues to participate. Registration is strongly encouraged.

View the Spring 2026 advisor forum schedule and register today!

 

Transfer News

NISTS Joins the National Resource Center for First-Year Students and Students in Transition

Last month, we shared that the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS) would be joining the National Resource Center for First-Year Students and Students in Transition (NRC), after a press release was issued on December 4. On January 28, NISTS and the NRC held a webinar where more information about the future of NISTS was shared. You can view that webinar at the link below.

NISTS and NRC Webinar

 

Transfer Resources

Register for the 2026 COTA Conference!

It’s not too late to register for the 2026 COTA Conference, 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.

2026 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

Transfer Advocate Blog, Issue 37

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Missouri State News

On-Campus Transfer Student Orientation

On Friday, January 9, 2026, Missouri State will hold an optional on-campus transfer student orientation for Spring 2026 transfer students. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with campus resources, meet fellow transfer Bears, and get ready for a successful transition to life at Mo State. This orientation does not replace the mandatory online transfer orientation required before students can register for classes. Additional information about the orientation, including the full schedule, can be found below.

Spring 2026 Orientation for Transfer Students

 

Transfer News

NISTS Update

The National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS) will live on! On December 4, an integration of NISTS and the National Resource Center for the First Year Experience and Students in Transition (NRC) was announced. This integration will take place throughout 2026. Additional details can be found in the press release below.

NISTS Press Release

 

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.

2026 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

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 35

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Missouri State News

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

November 3-7 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 student spotlights on our wonderful nontraditional and/or first-generation students throughout the week!

 

Transfer News

Mourning the End of an Institute Focused on Transfer Students

The National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS) closed at the end of November. Inside Higher Ed discusses the impact NISTS has had on transfer-related research and what the future may hold.

Inside Higher Ed Article

 

Transfer Resources

Every Bear, Every Year

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open! Students are encouraged to complete the 2026-2027 FAFSA by December 1, 2025, to meet the priority deadline. Advisors can refer students to the “Filing the FAFSA” webpage on Missouri State’s website and/or the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Filing the FAFSA

 

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 Champion Spotlight – Campbell Keele

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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!”