All Roads Lead to MSUM

People say all roads lead to Rome; for Rikki Fischer all the roads lead to MSUM. Fischer's road to discovering her purpose wasn't a straight line - it was a journey of growth, self-discovery, and a deep connection with Minnesota State University Moorhead. From her first steps on campus as an undeclared student to her role today as an assistant professor of counseling, MSUM has been an enlightening place for her.

Finding a Path

When Fischer first came to MSUM, she fell in love with campus and how close it is to Alexandria, Minn., her hometown. "It felt familiar and exciting," Fischer says.

She hadn't yet declared a major, preferring to find her calling along the way, but she was quickly drawn to psychology with fascination for human behavior.

BA in Psychology 

Fischer also found joy working at the library all four years through a work-study job. "I absolutely loved working there," she says. Further involvement in student life remained a temporarily missed opportunity -- one she would later seize.

After graduating with a B.A. in psychology in 2006, Fischer thought of going to grad school. But graduate school for school counseling seemed like a distant dream, one that required a teaching degree.

"I was terrified of interviews, public speaking and teaching lessons," Fischer says. So, she became a nanny, a role that unexpectedly fulfilled a decade of her life.

A Second Chance

By her 30s, Fischer was ready for a change. Her years of working with children reignited her passion for supporting youth, and when she revisited the MSUM graduate studies website, it revealed that the prerequisites for school counseling had changed, a teaching degree was no longer a requirement.

"I applied immediately," Fischer recalls, "I knew that I wanted a career where I was working with youth. I envisioned myself supporting them and making an impact through relationships."

MS in Counseling

From 2015 to 2017, Fischer thrived in the master's in counseling and student affairs program. Unlike her undergrad experience, she immersed herself in every opportunity, joining honor societies, attending conferences, and traveling to Peru for a study abroad experience.

"I really tried not to say 'no' to many things and I had a great learning experience," she says.

Mentors like Dr. Taryn Akgul and Sarah Kjos shaped her journey. Watching Kjos in a counseling session made Fischer think: 'I get to learn from the best of the best.'

Surprisingly, Dr. Akgul's lectures sparked a fervor for teaching after all. "She made our work feel so meaningful and exciting, that I wanted to be able to share that same joy she ignited in me with others," Fischer says.

When Fischer graduated, she felt ready. The fears that had once held her back - public speaking, interviews, teaching lessons - had transformed into strengths. Landing in a school counseling job in Breckenridge, she embraced her role with confidence and a sense of purpose.

Returning to Where It Began

Seven years later, Fischer reconnected with MSUM, this time as a faculty member. Now, as an assistant professor of counseling, she teaches courses like Theories, School Counseling Practicum and Internship, blending her love of learning with her passion for inspiring others.

The most rewarding part of her role? Watching her students grow. "Their spark for pursuing counseling careers is so inspiring," she says. She also values the unique aspects of the program, from its hybrid format to initiatives like the Infuse Mental Health Grant, which financially supports students in achieving their dreams.

A Full-Circle Journey

Fischer earned her bachelor's in psychology in 2006, then a master's degree in counseling and student affairs in 2017 and then came back to be assistant professor in the School of Leadership and Learning in 2024.

For Fischer, MSUM is more than a university. "MSUM sets you up for success. The resources available, support from faculty and the experience will be unmatched," she says, emphasizing the welcoming and resourceful environment that has guided her through every stage of her educational pursuit. Her story is a statement of resilience, mentorship, and the belief that it's never too late to invest in yourself.

Whether as a student discovering her path, a student counselor changing lives, or a professor shaping future leaders, Fischer's journey proves that all roads, no matter how winding, can lead to the place where you're meant to be.

The Infuse Mental Health Project addresses a critical shortage of school-based mental health service providers in our region. This project reduces the cost for MSUM students entering the School Counseling or School Psychology graduate programs to engage local, rural, and tribal schools struggling to fill mental health professional vacancies. You can apply for up to $12,000/year or a total of $24,000 in grant support available over two years of graduate study.