Welcome to the #DragonFamily: Loren Baranko Faught
Meet MSUM’s new assistant director of the Academic Support Center, Loren Baranko Faught. She has taken on a huge role and is excited to assist students in finding the education and career paths they want to take!
Start date: Jan. 13, 2020
Q: What drew you to MSUM?
A: My last job, I was more focused on academic affairs whereas I really wanted to hone in on being 100 percent student-focused, which is exactly what MSUM is. The people and the connections that I had here and even made throughout the interview process. I’d have to say that the core values of grit, heart and humility really stuck with me and that an institution would emphasize that and actually stick to those core values that actually are embedded in this university.
Q: What energizes you outside of work?
A: I am a big animal person. My background is in animal sciences and I live on a farm. I have horses, a dog, ducks and chickens. Being outside and connecting with animals and nature is a big piece of it for me.
Q: How do you like to start your workday?
A: Bright and early. I’m a morning person and I’m usually up at about 4 a.m. I live further out of town and I try to get here a half-hour early before the office opens and get my head ready for the day. I like to have that time before the workday starts to get ready and get set to go.
Q: If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?
A: I’ve always wanted to be a person who travels for National Geographic, whether it’s the film crew or the photographer, but I don’t have any of those skills. I think it’s amazing how they can make the wonders of the world so accessible to everybody. I can be this girl sitting on her farm in the middle of nowhere in North Dakota and I can learn about all these different cultures in different countries and learn about all these different animals that I might not have otherwise.
Q: What is one thing people don’t know about you?
A: I have always wanted to go to New Zealand because of their agriculture. They have a lot of sheep and horses there, which I think could be really fun to experience. I think just being able to be outside, going hiking, seeing the landscape would be absolutely amazing.
Welcome to the #DragonFamily Loren!