Dragon Stories

Casey and Kaley Mills met at MSUM, graduated together, and both were awarded Teachers of the Year for Bottineau County. With visible dedication toward their students, the hardworking couple has made important advancements in each of their classrooms.

The MSU Moorhead Collegiate DECA team continues to make waves, establishing itself as a formidable force. DECA, an organization for students interested in careers in marketing, finance, and other business-related fields, has seen MSUM's team excel at the regional, national and international levels.

The GRIT Program at MSU Moorhead has been honored with the inaugural Devinder Malhotra Equity Award for its outstanding efforts in promoting student success and closing educational equity gaps. The award recognizes the program’s collaborative approach involving various departments and its significant impact on helping students of color, Pell-eligible, and first-generation students thrive in their college careers.

Jenessa Fillippi, a proud MSUM alumna, has turned her passion into action through her nonprofit Down Home. 

Inspired by her mother’s career, Audri Lagge ’19 also got her construction management degree at MSUM and quickly became a Senior Project Manager with a rapidly-growing construction company in Fargo, N.D., which led to her being recognized as one of Prairie Business’ Top 25 Women in Business in 2024.

Henrietta Doe, a 2024 graduate from Liberia, commits to the reliable and needed work of a nurse.

Moorhead and Fargo Public Schools Teachers of the Year are former MSUM alumni.

Social work student, Myrla Villa received the Sanford Health Equity in Education Scholarship for $5,000. As a home dialysis unit secretary for Sanford, Myrla’s heart for others shines in her interactions with patients and staff.

Sophia Smith, a junior in finance, was named the 2024-2025 Minnesota Collegiate DECA president.

Minnesota State University Moorhead students Kseniia Gaidamukha and Brenda Correa-Mendez broke tradition by being the only student presenters at the prestigious 2023 ACUI/NIRSA Collegiate Marketing Institute, a professional conference for the advancement of recreation, sport, and wellness.

MSUM alumni Morgan Laite (’17) and Maggie Thoemke (’16, ’19) met when they found themselves working at a job neither of them enjoyed. Bonding over their shared experience at MSUM, similar personalities, and the fact that they were born nine days apart, they quickly became close friends.

MSUM alum Emmanuel Aneke opened his own social media agency as a senior in college. Now graduated, he spends his time growing his business.