New Faculty 2018

College of Health Professions & Biomedical Sciences

School of Public & Community Health Sciences

Sophia Newcomer
Assistant Professor

Education
Ph.D., University of Colorado Denver, 2018
M.P.H., The George Washington University, 2007
B.S.P.H., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2003

Experience
Biostatistician, Institute for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Colorado, 2008-2018
Teaching Assistant, University of Colorado Denver, 2016
Executive Coordinator, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, 2006-2007 

School of Social Work

Jen Molloy
Assistant Professor

Education
Ph.D., The University of Utah, Expected 2019
M.S.W., University of Montana, 2005
B.S., St. Lawrence University, 1998

Experience
Instructor, The University of Utah, 2017-2018
Graduate Teaching Assistant, The University of Utah, 2016
Research Analyst, The University of Utah, 2015-16
Executive Director, Center for Restorative Youth Justice, 2007-2011
Guest Lecturer, University of Montana, 2008

Skaggs School of Pharmacy

Staci Hemmer
Assistant Professor

Education
Pharm.D., University of Montana, 2017
M.Ed., University of Montana, 2007
M.S., Duke University, 2004
B.S., Whitman College, 1999

Experience
Pharmacy Practice Resident, Community Medical Center, 2017-2018
Adjunct Math Instructor, University of Montana, 2009-2011
Math Teacher, Hellgate High School, 2008-2009

Phyllis J. Washington College of Education & Human Sciences

Department of Communicative Sciences & Disorders

Ashley Meaux
Assistant Professor

Education
Ph.D., Louisiana State University, 2013
M.A., Louisiana State University, 2008
B.A., Louisiana State University, 2004

Experience
Assistant Professor, Southeastern Louisiana University, 2015-2018
Instructor, Southeastern Louisiana University, 2013-2014
Research Associate, Louisiana State University, 2010-2013
Speech-Language Pathologist and CFY Supervisor, Pediatric Therapy Group, 2008-2013

College of Humanities & Sciences

Department of Computer Science

Douglas Brinkerhoff
Assistant Professor

Education
Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2017
M.S., University of Montana, 2011
B.S., University of Montana, 2009

Experience
Research Assistant Professor, University of Montana, 2017-2018
Field Researcher, Antarctic Peninsula, 2016
Data Assimilation Specialist, University of Montana, 2012-2014

Masters of Public Administration

Adam Brewer
Assistant Professor

Education
D.A., Idaho State University, 2017
M.P.A., Idaho State University, 2015
B.A., Brigham Young University-Idaho, 2012

Experience
Visiting Assistant Professor, University of Montana, 2018
Adjunct Instructor, College of Eastern Idaho, 2016-2017
Graduate Instructor, Idaho State University, 2013-2015
Intern, Vancouver Office of Senator Patty Murray, 2012

College of Visual & Performing Arts

School of Music

Michael Ruybalid
Assistant Professor

Education
Ph.D., The University of Oklahoma, 2016
M.M., Holy Names University, 2010
B.A., Point Loma Nazarene University, 2000

Experience
Visiting Assistant Professor, The University of Maryland College Park, 2017-2018
Instructor, Southeastern Louisiana University, 2014-2017
Graduate Teaching Assistant, The University of Oklahoma, 2010-2014
Music Teacher, Hayward Unified School District, 2009-2010

School of Theatre & Dance

Michael Legg
Artistic Director & Assistant Professor

Education
M.F.A., The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2004
M.A., East Tennessee State University, 1997
B.S., East Tennessee State University, 1992

Experience
Director, Actors Theatre of Louisville, 2007-2018
Artistic Director, WildWind Performance Lab, 2015-Present
Theatrical Agent, Kerin-Goldberg & Associates, 2004-2007

Alexander Blewett III School of Law

Craig Cowie
Assistant Professor

Education
J.D., University of California, Berkeley, 2000
Ph.D., University of Michigan, 1993
B.S., Bowling Green State University, 1988

Experience
Assistant Litigation Deputy, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Office of Enforcement, 2015-2018
Partner, Jenner & Block, L.L.P., 2008-2012
Litigation Fellow, ACLU National Prison Project, 2001-2004
Law Clerk, Federal Public Defender’s Office, 1999

Sandra Zellmer
Professor

Education
LL.M., The George Washington University, 1996
J.D., University of South Dakota, 1990
B.S., Morningside College, 1985

Experience
Distinguished Visiting Professor, University of Montana, 2017-2018
Robert B. Daugherty Chair, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2010-2018
Associate Professor, The University of Toledo, 1993-2004
Visiting Assistant Professor, Drake University, 1997-1998
Trial Attorney, Environment & Natural Resources Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 1994-1997

Missoula College

Department of Health Professions

Katherine Geiger
Assistant Professor

Education
B.S., University of Phoenix, 2011
A.A.S., University of Montana, 2007

Experience
Certified Surgical Technologist First Assistant, Rocky Mountain Eye Surgery Center, 2013-2018
Clinical Instructor, University of Montana, 2012-2018
Certified Surgical Technologist First Assistant, St. Patrick’s Hospital, 2007-2013

Previous Years

2017