Welcome to the Dragon Community: Kerri Spiering

As Moorhead's new assistant director of graduate recruitment, Kerri makes prospective graduate students aware of the many options for advanced degrees at Minnesota State Moorhead.

Q: What drew you to Minnesota State Moorhead?
A: I love higher education. I just love seeing students grow and change over time and hearing their stories.

Q: What is one of your favorite things about Moorhead?
A: There is such an air of positivity on campus. There is so much excitement, and people are so energized to be here. It's great to be a part of it.

Q: How do you prefer to start your workday?
A: I start with a cup of black tea with cream and sugar, read the weather, and then go from there. I try to get into work a little early to just sit down and take a moment before the day starts.

Q: What book are you currently reading? What is your favorite book?
A: I just finished The Sequel by Jean Korelitz, but I wasn't a big fan of it. One book that sticks with me is Smilla's Sense of Snow by Peter Hoeg; Smilla is just a wonderful and strong female character.

Q: What would we most likely find you doing on the weekend?
A: I raise Monarch butterflies in the summertime and prepare for them in the offseason by planting milkweed (the exclusive food of Monarchs) and pollinator-friendly plants for them. Monarch populations are pretty quickly declining, so I try to give them as natural a habitat as I can.

Q: What is your favorite place to eat in the Fargo-Moorhead area?
A: India Palace. I love the pakora, which is a kind of vegetable fritter.

Welcome to the Dragon Community, Kerri!