USM To Celebrate National Transfer Student Week Oct. 16-20

Wed, 10/11/2023 - 09:16am | By: Van Arnold

Transfer students comprise a significant portion of the enrollment at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) and those students will receive special attention as the University’s Center for Student Success (CSS) celebrates National Transfer Student Week, Oct. 16-20.

The week of recognition was created by the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students, which states: “National Transfer Student Week offers the perfect opportunity to highlight transition struggles and successes and unite your campus partners in advocating on behalf of your specific transfer population.”

USM has participated in the annual event for the past several years. At the Hattiesburg campus, a little more than 4,000 undergraduate transfer students are enrolled.

Emily Thornton, Coordinator for Transfer Student Success, notes that the theme for this year’s celebration is “Full Steam Ahead,” featuring a series of exciting activities.

“Transfer students represent a large portion of our student body, so taking pause to create a space for them to be highlighted allows them to know that we, as a campus, recognize their determination and resilience in their pursuit of higher education,” said Thornton.

As part of the week’s festivities, the USM Transfer Student Association will host a festival for students on Oct. 17. On Oct. 18, 44 students will be inducted into Tau Sigma, a national honors society for transfer students. The ceremony is set for 6 p.m. at the Thad Cochran Center (Room 216).

Also, throughout the week faculty and staff who are former transfer students are invited to share their transfer stories through testimonials via social media. On Oct. 19, CSS and the USM Student Alumni Association will host a mixer for transfer students at Southern Station on the Hattiesburg campus. 

Thornton points out that National Student Transfer Week is designed to celebrate transfer students and the professionals who support them on their journey.

“Our goal is to build connections, give recognition and show appreciation to both students, faculty, and staff who are transfer students and support the transfer population here at Southern Miss,” said Thornton.

To Learn more, contact the Center for Student Success at USM or call 601.266.6405.