Don Loranger
Program Director

• Military Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations (1985-1986)
• Air War College, Maxwell AFB (1982)
• Defense Language Institute, French (1975)
• M.A. in International Affairs, Michigan State University (1974)
• B.A. in History and Political Science, University of Montana (1966)

Email: donald.loranger@umontana.edu
Phone: (406) 243-3610
Fax: (406) 543-6462

General Loranger retired after thirty years of USAF service as an operational pilot and specialist in US national security policy. He served as the Deputy POLAD, SACEUR and commanded three different air force bases: Little Rock AFB, AR; Rhein-Main AB, Germany; and Canon AFB, NM. He also directed Provide Promise, the humanitarian aerial resupply of Eastern Bosnia (1992-1994) and served as commander of Joint Task Force/Southwest Asia (Iraqi no-fly zone enforcement).

Dr. Mohammad Faeez Akram
Deputy Director

• M.P.A., University of Montana, Missoula (2019)
• M.I.S., University of Montana, Missoula (2012)
• Certificate of Public Health, University of Montana, Missoula (2013)
• M.D., Kabul Medical University, Afghanistan (2009)

Email: mohammadfaeez.akram@mso.umt.edu
Phone: (406) 243-3613
Fax: (406) 543-6462

Mohammad Faeez Akram joined DCLCP in 2010 as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, in 2012 as a Dari and Pashto Language instructor, in 2013 as a Finance and Personnel Manager, and in 2020 as a Deputy Director. In his new role as Deputy Director, Faeez is the principal interface between DCLCP and external organizations, including: military partners; U.M. staff functions; United States Government agencies; potential customers; and DCLCP funding administer, the Institute of International Education. Furthermore, he ensures consistency in the development of DCLCP’s foreign language syllabi and other course materials consistent with DoD U.S.G. needs, and reviews and makes recommendations on all faculty hiring. In addition, Faeez oversees the annual budget, and analyzes yearly accounts for all DCLCP funds.

Dr. Shaima Khinjani
Manager, Academic Programs

• Doctor of Education, Education Leadership, University of Montana (2023)
• M.A. in Political Science, University of Montana (2013)
• B.A. in International Studies & Political Science, Ramapo College, New Jersey (2010)

Email: shaima.khinjani@mso.umt.edu
Phone: (406) 243-3602
Fax: (406) 543-6462

Shaima joined DCLCP in 2010 as a Graduate Teaching Assistant; in 2012 as a Dari and Pashto Language instructor; and in 2014 as a lead instructor. She was promoted to the Manager, Academic Programs position in 2014. Shaima directs the faculty development program, including designing, presenting, and scheduling professional course development activities and seminars.

Language Certificates:
10/21/2011: English Oral Proficiency Interview: Rated Advanced High
10/12/2011: Dari Oral Proficiency Interview:  Rated Superior
09/23/2011: Pashto Oral Proficiency Interview: Rated Advanced High
06/11/2012: Urdu Oral Proficiency Interview: Rated Advanced Mid
03/13/2019: Persian- Farsi Oral Proficiency Interview: Rated Advanced High

Dr. Liz Barrs
Business Manager

• PhD History, University of Montana (2023)
• MA History, University of Montana (2020)
• MA Education, Eastern Kentucky University (2012)
• Post-Graduate Intelligence Program, Defense Intelligence Agency (1997-98)
• BA Political Science, Loyola University of Chicago (1988)

Email: elizabeth.barrs@mso.umt.edu
Phone: (406) 243-3646
Fax: (406) 543-6462

Liz Barrs served for over 20 years as an army intelligence officer including combat tours in Operation Desert Shield/Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) as well as peacekeeping operations in Operation Uphold Democracy (Haiti). She has an extensive background in national security, regional, and cultural issues including serving for two years on the National Security Council staff in the White House Situation Room. She also has personal experience studying several languages and managing army command language programs.

Since retiring from the army, Liz has developed curriculum and taught courses at Eastern Kentucky University and Missoula College.

Pei Pei
Assistant Manager, Finance and Personnel
PROJECT GO - CHINA COORDINATOR

• M.B.A., University of Montana (2015)
• B.S. in Finance, University of Montana (2012)

Email: pei.pei@mso.umt.edu
Phone: (406) 243-3628
Fax: (406) 543-6462

Pei Pei was an international student from Jinan, Shandong, China. He came to Missoula in 2007 to attend Loyola High School as an exchange student. After only being here for a short time, he quickly fell in love with this beautiful city. Because of his newfound admiration for Missoula, he decided to attend the University of Montana in 2008 and pursue his undergraduate degree in Finance. After successfully graduating with a Bachelor’s in Finance in 2012, and received the MBA in 2015. During his graduate school study, he participated in the statewide business plan competition and received the 2^nd best business plan for the year. He has been with DCLCP since 2013 and currently serve as the assistant manager of Finance and Personnel and China Project GO coordinator.

Phoenix Graves
Assistant Academic Manager

• M.B.A., University of Cincinnati (2022) 

• M.Ed. Literacy and Second Language Studies - International/Adult TESL, University of Cincinnati (2021)

• B.A. Literary and Cultural Studies, Creative Writing, University of Cincinnati (2019) 

Email: phoenix.graves@mso.umt.edu
Phone: (406) 243-3605
Fax: (406) 543-6462

Prior to joining us from Cincinnati, Ohio, Phoenix spent the past several years working for educational non-profit organizations both as an instructor and administrator. During her years teaching ESL, she discovered the value of understanding, analyzing, and removing barriers to education for others. Her administrative work allowed her to pursue and remove those barriers on a large scale, which ultimately led her to the DCLCP. 

Phoenix's subject interests include sociolinguistics, second language acquisition, and data analysis. She enjoys problem-solving and developing solutions to streamline better organizational practices. 

In her free time, Phoenix enjoys spending time in Big Sky Country and recreating outdoors. She is grateful to be a part of the DCLCP and to be among so many incredible colleagues. 

Brandon Norton
Computer Support Specialist

• A.A.S. in Information Technology, Programming and App Development, Missoula College (2018)

Email: brandon.norton@mso.umt.edu
Phone: (406) 243-3627
Fax: (406) 543-6462

Brandon grew up in California and moved to Missoula in 2015. He graduated with an Associates of Applied Science from Missoula College in 2018, and began working in the technology field shortly after. Brandon has 4 years of experience in computer hardware repairs and IT support in an enterprise environment. In his free time, he enjoys being at home and watching movies and playing video games with friends.