Macia Outlaw Selected National Transfer Student Ambassador

President Blake Thompson joins Mississippi College sophomore Macia Outlaw of Brandon for a picture on the Clinton campus in early December. A biology/pre-med major, Macia will be among four ambassadors nationwide serving as advocates for college transfer students in 2019-20.

Macia Outlaw dreams of becoming a medical doctor, and the bright Mississippi College student is well on her way.

Early in 2020, Macia feels blessed to be among four outstanding transfer students nationwide selected to attend a higher education conference. A 2018 Northwest Rankin High graduate, she is a biology-pre-med major at the Christian university.

Leaders of the Transfer Student Ambassador Program selected the college students based on their excellence in leadership, and public speaking skills. They were also chosen for their potential to share important information with transfer professionals across the USA.

Members of the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students will meet in Atlanta, Georgia February 5-7. Prior to the sessions, the students will enhance conference planning, promotion, and blogging by connecting to the organization’s staff.

A 19-year-old sophomore, Macia has thoroughly enjoyed her MC experience. “MC has provided me with the many connections and resources that have all paved my road to success,” says the Brandon resident. “I couldn’t have picked a better place to experience a college that brings out my full potential.”

Macia Outlaw spent one year attending Hinds Community College before enrolling at Mississippi College. “Macia is one of my favorite transfers,” says Angie Hardin, director of transfer recruitment. “She’s an incredible young lady.”

To be eligible for the honor, nominees submit a letter of recommendation, resume and a written and video narrative detailing their transfer journey. They explain why it is important to be an advocate for transfer students. Recipients are awarded $500 scholarship and get their travel expenses picked up.

During the academic year, ambassadors will work with transfer professionals to help students succeed in their transition from one institution to another.

Macia will be guided every step of the way.

“We are helping her prepare her story (what it is like to be a transfer student),” says MC administrator Jonathan Ambrose. The Clinton resident serves as associate vice president of the student experience and dean of students.

Transfer students are always welcome in big numbers at Mississippi College. Each year, many of the transfers are former Hinds Community College students.

Since opening its doors in 1917, Hinds excels as a stronger feeder school to Mississippi College. In 2017, for instance, there were 115 former Hinds CC students among the 508 transfers overall at MC.

Hinds operates campuses in Raymond, Pearl, Jackson, Vicksburg and Utica. It is Mississippi’s largest two-year school.

At Hinds, Macia Outlaw was a stellar student in courses like chemistry and Spanish. She also worked as a peer tutor for students in Algebra classes. Her solid academic performance landed her an invitation to Phi Theta Kappa. Founded a little more than over 100 years ago, PTK is the honor society at America’s two-year colleges.

Outlaw is thrilled to be chosen a National Transfer Student Ambassador. “I want to promote the idea that community colleges can help students explore their future careers,” the Mississippian said. The MC student stays involved in community service initiatives.

The other student ambassadors selected are: Jahine Grady of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Kaylee Cheng of California State University – Channel Islands and Tania Nasrollahi of UCLA. Macia is in good company with the recipients announced recently during National Transfer Student Week.