SENATOBIA – It's no secret that Northwest Community College student-athletes consistently succeed both on the field and in the classroom. It's that proper balance that helps former Rangers also find success in their careers.

Former Ranger softball student-athlete Hannah Matthews is a prime example.

The Spanish Fort, Ala., native spent two seasons in a Ranger uniform, playing in a total of 50 games during the 2010-11 seasons. As a sophomore, she finished with a .318 batting average with a double, a home run, 12 RBIs and nine stolen bases.

"Softball taught me so many key things I use every day," Matthews said. "I learned very quickly how to juggle multiple responsibilities and how to manage my time between practices, classes, homework and social activities."

Those lessons helped Matthews when she transferred to Mississippi State University following her Ranger softball career.

As a junior, she took a student job as a recruiting assistant for the Bulldog football program and stayed in that role for two years.

"I took a lot of what I experienced at Northwest and applied it to my new recruiting position," Matthews said. "There are so many little things that come into play while working and juggling class work. (But) when you love what you're doing, it makes everything a lot easier."

Matthews graduated from MSU in the fall of 2013 with a bachelor's degree in psychology.

Today, Matthews is an admissions counselor at Mississippi State and helps transfer students who are interested in attending MSU after community college. She serves students in north Mississippi and also covers all transfer inquiries from Tennessee. As a former transfer student herself, it's a fitting role for Matthews, who uses her own experiences as both a transfer and as an out-of-state student in her work.

"Even though I was recruited as an out-of-state student, I lived in Mississippi for about six years when I was in elementary school," Matthews said. "I had visited all of the north Mississippi community colleges and I knew that Northwest was the perfect place for me. I loved the feeling of someone that wanted me to play for them."

"I bring a lot of that into recruiting students," Matthews continued. "When a student feels wanted and appreciated, it encourages them to want to become a part of our university family."

For transfer students that are unsure about their options after community college, Matthews offers this advice.

"I think one of the most important things when you are thinking about transferring to a major university is finding the place that meets your academics needs and feels like home," she said. "You don't want to just pick a university because your friends are going there or because your parents attended there. Visit all of your top schools and find someone like me to help guide you in your decision. Find your home away from home."

Connect with Hannah on Twitter @msstatehannah.