Pursuing transfer students, ‘MTSU Promise Tour’ embraces community colleges Jan. 24-Feb. 9

Prospective transfer transfer students can follow the signs to any of the upcoming “MTSU Promise Tour” events at community colleges across Tennessee from Jan. 24 through Feb. 9. MTSU admissions transfer staff will assist with the transfer process at Motlow State in Smyrna, Volunteer State in Gallatin, Columbia State, Pellissippi State in Knoxville, Cleveland State, Chattanooga State, Nashville State, Jackson State and Dyersburg State. Each Promise Tour event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. local time. (MTSU file photo by Andy Heidt)

Middle Tennessee State University’s transfer admissions team will meet with prospective students at nine Tennessee community colleges — from Knoxville to Jackson and from Dyersburg to Chattanooga — in the coming weeks.

It’s the annual MTSU Promise Tour to reach out to the prospective transfer students across the state, in time for them to meet the Feb. 15 deadline for the guaranteed transfer scholarship — $3,000 per year for qualifiers.

Danny Kelley, right, Middle Tennessee State University assistant vice president for Student Affairs, answers questions from a prospective transfer student during the MTSU Promise Tour kickoff event in January 2022. The Murfreesboro university will visit nine community college campuses across Tennessee during a three-week period. MTSU has a guaranteed transfer scholarship ($3,000 per year) for qualifying students who apply by Feb. 15. (MTSU file photo by James Cessna)

John Davis, MTSU undergraduate recruitment assistant director who oversees transfer admissions. — John Davis

“Our guaranteed transfer scholarship goes a long way in making MTSU the most affordable four-year institution in the state and is one of many reasons MTSU is considered the No. 1 transfer destination in Tennessee,” said John Davis, MTSU undergraduate recruitment assistant director who oversees transfer admissions.

The MTSU Promise is one of the university’s commitments to making the transfer process as smooth as possible and, in some cases, signing special agreements with the community colleges to ensure clear pathways.

Application fees will be waived during the Promise Tour visit for new transfer applicants for Summer ‘23 and Fall ’23. There will also be giveaways and scholarship drawing at each venue.

Tour events are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. local time and include stops at:

• Jan. 24 — Motlow State Community College, Hiatt-Spivey Center lobby.

• Jan. 25 — Volunteer State, Caudill Hall, Wemyss Auditorium, Gallatin.

• Jan. 26 — Nashville State, Kisber Building lobby,White Bridge Road campus.

• Jan. 31 — Pellissippi State, Haslam Center lobby, Hardin Valley campus in Knoxville.

• Feb. 1 — Cleveland State, Student Center Commons recreation area.

• Feb. 2 — Chattanooga State, Albright OmniPlex Building Rooms 124-127.

• Feb. 7 — Columbia State, Jones Student Center cafeteria.

• Feb. 8 — Jackson State, Student Center main campus.

• Feb. 9 — Dyersburg State, Glover Education Center.

Jackie Victory, left, director of Student Organizations and Service for the Middle Tennessee State University Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, greets a student attending an MTSU Promise Tour event for prospective transfer students in January 2022. The tour to recruit new students at community colleges across Tennessee will begin Jan. 24 and end Feb. 9. The Murfreesboro university will visit Motlow, Volunteer State, Nashville State, Pellissippi State in Knoxville, Cleveland State, Chattanooga State, Columbia State, Jackson State and Dyersburg State. (MTSU file photo by James Cessna)

There will be giveaways and scholarship drawing at each venue.

“We are thrilled about the opportunity to work with our community college partners to help their students understand how easy it is to transfer to MTSU after they graduate with their associate degrees,” Davis said.

“As a two-time graduate from MTSU, I’ve personally experienced the quality education transfer students can expect to receive, and I am excited about the opportunity to guide them through the transfer process,” he added.

Davis said the objective is “to streamline the transfer process and provide enough information that the students always have a clear understanding what their next steps will be and who they should be working with to accomplish their goals.”

At the stops, MTSU staff will help students:

• Apply for admission to MTSU at www.mtsu.edu/applynow.

• Learn more about the Tennessee Transfer Pathways and other programs to help students transfer successfully.

• Obtain an MTSU ID Card if students are already admitted.

Throughout the remainder of the spring semester, MTSU transfer enrollment coordinators will be working with all 13 of Tennessee’s community colleges to assist students in navigating the enrollment process, Davis said.

If any students, parents or family members have any questions about transferring to MTSU, they can email them to transfer@mtsu.edu.

Prospective transfer students can follow the signs to any of the upcoming “MTSU Promise Tour” events at community colleges across Tennessee from Jan. 24 through Feb. 9. MTSU admissions transfer staff will assist with the transfer process at Motlow State in Smyrna, Volunteer State in Gallatin, Columbia State, Pellissippi State in Knoxville, Cleveland State, Chattanooga State, Nashville State, Jackson State and Dyersburg State. Each Promise Tour event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. local time. (MTSU file photo by Andy Heidt)

Spring True Blue Preview events

MTSU will hold True Blue Preview events Saturday, Feb. 11, and Saturday, March 25, for prospective students to enjoy the full campus experience, with top campus officials welcoming hundreds of potential Blue Raiders to campus.

Visitors can participate in academic and departmental presentations, receive information on financial aid and scholarships and choose from many different special interest sessions. A tentative schedule is available.

Admissions also helps organize the Honors College Presidents Day Open House, set for Monday, Feb. 20.

It’s a time for high-achieving high school students and their parents to visit and learn more about the Honors College, which fosters the academic excellence and nurturing environment of a small, select, private liberal arts college within the setting of a major university. A mix of information about MTSU, educational events and fun activities are planned.

MTSU also offers daily campus tours. For more information, call 615-898-5670 or email tours@mtsu.edu.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)