Meet Faith Collins, a transfer student from Alton, MO!

Faith transferred to Missouri State University from Missouri State University-West Plains. Faith is pursuing the Professional Writing major with a minor in Ozarks Studies.

When asked why Faith chose to transfer to Missouri State, Faith says, “I had some really good experiences at MSU-West Plains and thought Springfield might be a solid fit. Additionally, I had the option to major in professional writing and complete my degree online while staying in the West Plains area and transferring directly meant that I qualified for a transfer scholarship.”

Faith describes the most challenging part of her transfer experience to be the change in mindset that comes with transferring from a seated program at a two-year institution to an online program a four-year institution – “West Plains is a place where classes have fewer than twenty people and it’s easy to get to know people and connect. It’s a lot more challenging to connect now, especially since I am doing my degree completely online. Sometimes it’s easy to feel disconnected, and there’s an excuse to not engage with others. It can be hard to feel involved.” Faith has been able to find that sense of community through her involvement with numerous student organizations, including Tau Sigma (the national honors society for transfer students), Phi Eta Sigma (serving as the marketing chair), and the Christian Campus House (serving as the secretary for the West Plains organization).

While earning an online degree can be challenging, Faith also describes the benefits of being online as the most enjoyable part of her transfer experience. Faith says, “The most enjoyable part of my transfer experience has been the flexibility of completing my degree online. I really feel like my major is customized to fit my needs, and the online format, while challenging, allows me to participate more fully in my local community. I am able to invest in the area where I live, and where I will work.”

Faith’s advice for a new transfer student would be, “When you transfer, you start from scratch again. And that can be hard. It really takes a year to get a feel for how any university works and what’s available. Because a transfer student has less time at a university, you really need to be more proactive about finding community and finding out about pertinent services. I would recommend talking to someone, like your advisor, and finding ways to get involved early on.”

Faith would like to use this opportunity to give a shoutout to the people who have made the most impact on her transfer experience. “I’ve got so many people who helped me during and prepared me for my transition. My parents, Daniel and Teri; my brother and sisters; my amazing bestie, Gisella; my professors from West Plains, particularly Dr. H who started my English journey; and my advisor at Springfield, Mr. Turner. Thank you so much!”

Meet Heather Downum, a transfer student from Richmond, VA!

Heather transferred to Missouri State University from Ozarks Tech. Heather is pursuing the BSN-Completion program and will graduate in December!

When asked why Heather chose to transfer to Missouri State, Heather said, “Dr. Adams visited OTC and spoke to my class as I was completing the associate’s program at OTC. Because I already had another degree, I only needed to complete the Nursing courses at Missouri State to earn my BSN. This allowed me to be able to graduate in just three semesters!”

Heather says the most challenging aspect of her transfer experience was, “getting used to the different applications Missouri State uses compared to what OTC uses, such as Brightspace instead of Canvas, especially being in an online program where we use those applications often.” Heather has been able to overcome that hurdle and has been able to succeed academically – proven by her membership in Tau Sigma, the national honors society for transfer students.

Heather has thoroughly enjoyed her courses at Missouri State. Heather describes her classes as the most enjoyable part of her transfer experience, stating, “The discussion boards are a great way to get different perspectives and get to know the fellow nurses in my program. They all have different backgrounds and are different ages, so the conversations are always interesting.”

Heather’s advice to a new transfer student who is also in an online program would be, “Don’t hesitate if you need to reach out to an instructor! In an online program, you don’t have the face-to-face connection with your instructor that you would have in a seated program, but everyone is fantastic! If you reach out to your instructor, they will be willing to help.”

Heather would like to take this opportunity to give a shout-out to the individuals who have made the most impact on her transfer experience: 1) Dr. Kathryn Adams, a Clinical Associate Professor in the School of Nursing – “Dr. Adams has been fantastic throughout my entire time at Missouri State. She visited my class at OTC to talk about the Nursing program and remembered me when I later went through the interview process.”, 2) Heather’s friends and fellow Nursing students, Kelsey and Irina – “They are the whole reason I will complete my bachelor’s degree because we push each other to be the best nurses we can be”, and 3) Heather’s daughter, Shay – “My daughter is in college in Arkansas and I am always trying to do better for her. She reminds me that it’s never too late to start over!”

Meet Ashley Nass, a transfer student from Springfield, MO!

Ashley transferred to Missouri State University from Ozarks Tech. Ashley is pursuing the Special Education major at Missouri State.

When asked why Ashley chose to transfer to Missouri State, Ashley said, “Missouri State is in the area, and growing up I would hear that MSU (back then SMSU) was THE place to get your education degree.”

Describing the challenges of transferring, Ashley says, “the first time I tried to transfer I did not have a high enough GPA. I started college as the first graduating class of OTC’s Middle College. I started college in high school when I was young, dumb, and thought a D was a passing grade. Hindsight is 20/20. I went back to OTC and began my teaching degree and was able to get my GPA up high enough to transfer.” Ashley has worked hard to excel academically, and her efforts are paying off – Ashley is a member of Tau Sigma (the national honors society for transfer students) and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars!

Ashley says the most enjoyable part of her transfer experience has been, “the friends that I have made. I am in the Pathways for Paras program and have made a lot of friends in my classes since we are all moving through this program together.” Ashley has enjoyed her transfer experience so much that her advice to a new transfer student would be, “it may seem intimidating – even a little daunting – but it will be the best decision and worth the work!”

Ashley would like to this opportunity to thank the people who have made the most impact on her transfer experience: 1) her mom, Suzanne, for, “always pushing me to work hard and for allowing me to play playdough on the coffee table”, 2) her husband, Kenny, for, “handling what I can’t keep up with and supporting me”, and 3) her “Greene Valley family – you guys rock!”

Meet Mackenzie Cowap, a transfer student from Troy, MO!

Mackenzie transferred to Missouri State University from Saint Charles Community College. Mackenzie is pursuing the Biology/Wildlife & Fisheries major. She is a member of Tau Sigma and the Wildlife Society.

When asked why Mackenzie chose to transfer to Missouri State University, Mackenzie said, “I really liked the Springfield area. Missouri State was an affordable option and had a great program I was interested in.”

Mackenzie described the biggest challenge of her transfer experience as, “getting used to the newness. I was living on campus instead of commuting like I had done at my previous college and had to get used to that, as well as all of the new systems and processes that come with a new school.”

Now that Mackenzie has overcome that challenge, she says that living on campus has been the most enjoyable part of her transfer experience. “I really enjoy being close to the downtown area – there are so many things to do or events to attend.” Overcoming that challenge of newness and learning to enjoy the new experiences is something that many transfer students initially struggle with, which factors into Mackenzie’s advice for a new transfer student – “Keep pushing. Stay motivated and keep going!”

Mackenzie would like to take this opportunity to thank the people who have made the most impact on her transfer experience – her parents. “My mom and dad are always there for me. They are so hardworking and will always make time for me and make me feel supported.”

Meet Azalyah Allen, a transfer student from Manhattan, NY!

Azalyah transferred to Missouri State University from Manor College. Azalyah is pursuing the Health Services major.

When asked why Azalyah chose to transfer to Missouri State University, Azalyah said, “I was moving here for my fiancé, and Missouri State was the most affordable option.”

Azalyah says that “adjusting to being a fully online student while working full-time” has been the most challenging part of the transfer experience. Azalyah has successfully navigated that adjustment, as evidenced by Azalyah’s membership in Tau Sigma, the national honors society for transfer students. Tau Sigma has been the most enjoyable part of Azalyah’s transfer experience – “attending Tau Sigma events has allowed me to stay involved with at least one group of my peers.”

Azalyah has enjoyed being a part of Tau Sigma so much that the advice given to a new transfer student would be to, “get out there and try to join groups or participate in campus activities! Building relationships really makes a difference.”

Azalyah would like to take this opportunity to thank the people who have made the most impact throughout the transfer process – 1) Azalyah’s partner, Mikayla, who “always cheers me on and celebrates my wins”, and 2) Azalyah’s family – “my mom, dad, and all my siblings always support me and keep my spirits high!”