Transfer Student Association

Christy Pheal
President

Hometown: Hattiesburg, MS
Transferred From: Jones College
Major: Kinesiotherapy

How has getting involved at USM helped your transition to the Southern Miss community?

After serving as a member on the TSA leadership team this past academic school year, I truly learned dedication and leadership skills. One important thing I learned about being a leader is learning how to work with the things you have and sometimes even improvising to make events happen. I am excited about serving as the TSA president for the 2020-21 academic school year, and I am here to serve all of our transfer students.

Caitlin Sumrall
Vice President

Hometown: Poplarville, MS
Transferred From: Pearl River Community College
Major: Hospitality and Tourism Management

How has getting involved at USM helped your transition to the Southern Miss community?
Getting involved with different organizations has been the best way to transition to a new school because it gives you the opportunity to be automatically connected to a group of people. You always have someone to ask when you have a question, or someone to grab lunch with when you need to vent about classes. I am so glad to have these opportunities.

Parris Watts
Recruitment Chair

Hometown: Richland, MS
Transferred From: Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Major: History and Legal Studies

How has getting involved at USM helped your transition to the Southern Miss community?
Getting involved has helped me grow as a student because it helped me meet new people and learn about all of the things that USM has to offer.

Elizabeth Hoffer
Social Media Chair

Hometown: Pascagoula, MS
Transferred From: Northwest Mississippi Community College
Major: Criminal Justice

How has getting involved at USM helped your transition to the Southern Miss community?
Getting involved at USM has given me the opportunity to make connections with students who have interests similar to mine. Through TSA, I have been able to connect with other transfer students who are adjusting like myself. I have also gotten involved with students in my school of study, which has helped me adjust to classes in a university setting and form friendships with others with similar interests and who are on similar career paths. Getting involved has reassured me that I made the right choice in transferring to USM and will be successful here.

Mia Bass
Secretary

Hometown: Hattiesburg, MS
Transferred From: Tougaloo College
Major: Psychology

How has getting involved at USM helped your transition to the Southern Miss community?
My transition to Southern Miss was great due to my involvement with organizations like TSA. This is a key factor in the college experience. It has connected me to more groups and organizations that I have interests in, and has helped me build my network. SMTTT!