Welcome to the Dragon Community: Tiara Harris

Tiara Harris is MSUM's new Education Abroad & Away Coordinator. Tiara advises students who want to study, intern or volunteer abroad or away. She connects them with programs that suit their goals in a global learning environment.

Q: What drew you to MSUM?
A: I wanted to work with study abroad and didn't want to leave this area. When I saw this position open, I applied. Then when I came for the campus interview, everybody was super nice, and I could see the inclusivity on campus. Diversity is celebrated on this campus, and you can just see it physically, whether it's in the Women's or Rainbow Center, or other intercultural spaces on campus.

Q: What unique experience or skill are you bringing to MSUM?
A: I've studied abroad and worked abroad in Japan. I also studied away; I'm from Michigan but I did a couple of semesters in Arizona. That was the first time that I lived away and studied in a completely different culture; even within the U.S., it's a completely different dynamic. I think I could translate those experiences into helping students.

Q: What surprised you about MSUM?
A: The people are very nice, and we have an inclusive campus. I also really like the food. It's the banana pudding in the Dragon Cafe. I've been back over there a couple of times just to get banana pudding; even though it's so cold, I would walk across campus.

Q: What's one thing that you're learning right now?
A: I'm learning to set routines in my personal life - just to be more consistent and patient. I lose motivation if I'm not seeing fast results. Now, instead of looking for results, I'm looking for consistency to motivate myself again.

Q: If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?
A: I would like to be able to teleport. I don't want to fly because I'm afraid of heights and it sounds terrifying. Plus, you would get tired if you have to fly far. But if I could teleport, I could do all the traveling I want and cut out the flight time.

Q: What's your most used emoji?
A: I think it's the smiley face with a drop of water in the forehead. Because I'm always smiling. I feel like that's my most common real expression. So, I put it in a lot of my texts, too.

Q: What's the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
A: My father told me: If you're bothered by something and you're going to change it, then great. But if it's something that you can't change or you're not willing to change it, then just don't be bothered about it. It changed my mind about complaining.

Welcome to the Dragon Community Tiara!