Mississippi State Names First Transfer Student Coordinator

Mississippi State University is making a powerful statement about who belongs on their campus. The school just hired its first-ever coordinator for transfer services, a role designed to help students arriving from community colleges and other schools find their footing at MSU.

Katelynn Potter stepped into the newly created position after working as a transfer admissions counselor. But what makes her perfect for the job goes deeper than her resume.

Potter herself transferred from Itawamba Community College to Mississippi State, earning her bachelor's degree in public relations, advertising, and applied communication in 2020. She knows exactly what it feels like to walk onto a new campus where everyone else seems to already know the ropes.

"Transfer students may know everything about their previous college, but not Mississippi State," said Clay Armstrong, Executive Director of the Center for Academic Excellence. The new position sits within his center as part of a larger effort by the university to strengthen support for student success.

The timing matters. Community college transfers often face invisible hurdles that traditional freshmen never encounter. They're navigating new systems, building networks from scratch, and trying to figure out which resources even exist while juggling upper-level coursework.

Why This Inspires

Mississippi State could have kept doing things the old way. Instead, they looked at their student body and asked who might be falling through the cracks. They identified a need, created a solution, and hired someone who lived the experience.

Potter's mission goes beyond paperwork and orientation schedules. "I want every transfer student that I encounter to feel that Mississippi State is a place they can call home," she said. She's focused on connecting students with partners and resources across campus so they can confidently navigate their academic journey.

The university placed this new role within their Academic Achievement subdivision, signaling that transfer student success isn't an afterthought. It's central to their mission.

For thousands of students who start at community colleges or other institutions, this kind of dedicated support can mean the difference between struggling alone and thriving with guidance. Mississippi State is betting that when you meet students where they are, everyone wins.