Recognition and Gratitude

Honoring UM Employees

We are proud to recognize UM employees' accomplishments and express gratitude for their service to the University and to one another.

Comings and Goings

Many thanks for your service to your academic units and colleges, faculty and staff colleagues and students!

  • Justin Angle, Department of Management and Marketing, College of Business

  • Ryan Mizner, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Health

  • Sue Ostertag, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Health

  • Wendy Walker, Mansfield Library, Mike and Maureen Masfield Library

  • Lauren Fern, Department of Applied Arts and Sciences, Missoula College

  • Valerie Hedquist, School of Art and Game Design, College of the Arts and Media

  • Robin Saha, Department of Environmental Studies, W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation

  • Amanda Dawsey, Department of Economics, College of Humanities and Social Sciences

...and welcome to all the new leaders in your respective colleges, departments, schools and programs.

  • Theresa Floyd, Department of Management and Marketing, College of Business

  • Andy Kittleson, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Health

  • Erin Baucom, Mansfield Library, Mike and Maureen Masfield Library

  • Jessica Dougherty-McMichael, Department of Applied Arts and Sciences, Missoula College

  • Steven Krutek, School of Art and Game Design, College of the Arts and Media

  • Mark Sundeen, Department of Environmental Studies, W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation

  • Derek Kellenberg, Department of Economics, College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Inaugural deans for Colleges of Science and Humanities and Social Sciences

Leslie Rissler Headshot

Leslie Rissler, Dean, College of Science

Michael Lynn headshot

Michael Lynn, Dean, College of Humanities and Social Sciences

  • Dr. Leslie Rissler has been appointed as the inaugural Dean of the College of Science. Dr. Rissler will assume this role on August 1, 2026. 
     
    Dr. Rissler joins the University of Montana from the National Science Foundation (NSF), where she currently serves as Section Head for Living Systems and has held multiple senior leadership positions, including Acting Division Director and Acting Deputy Division Director in the Division of Environmental Biology. Throughout her tenure at NSF, she has overseen research portfolios exceeding $100 million annually, guided national research priorities, and led initiatives that strengthen research capacity, support faculty development, and advance safe and inclusive research environments. 
     
    Prior to joining NSF, Dr. Rissler served on the faculty of the University of Alabama, where she rose to the rank of Professor of Biological Sciences. An integrative biologist whose research spans ecology, evolution, conservation biology, and biodiversity science, she founded interdisciplinary academic programs, mentored students and faculty across career stages, and led efforts to strengthen public engagement with science. 
     
    Dr. Rissler brings extensive experience at the intersection of scientific research, higher education leadership, and federal research policy. Her work has focused on helping institutions build research capacity, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and position themselves for success within an evolving national research landscape. She is widely recognized for her leadership in supporting faculty research, broadening participation in STEM, and advancing excellence in science. 
     
    An elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Dr. Rissler has received numerous honors recognizing her contributions to scientific leadership, public engagement, and inclusive excellence. She holds a bachelor's degree from Indiana State University, a master's degree from Utah State University, and a doctorate from the University of Virginia. She completed postdoctoral training at the University of California, Berkeley. 
     
    Of her appointment, Dr. Rissler shared: 
     
    “I am honored to join the University of Montana and serve as the founding Dean of the College of Science. Science is one of humanity’s great endeavors because it invites us to approach the mysteries that surround us with curiosity, humility, and rigor. Few places invite scientific inquiry as naturally as Montana. Its extraordinary landscapes, waters, and communities provide a living laboratory for scientific discovery. 
     
    What excites me most is the opportunity to work alongside the many people who are invested in the future of the university because we have a rare opportunity to build a distinctive and nationally visible College of Science. Science is inherently collaborative, and the most important questions we face increasingly require us to build bridges among fields, perspectives, and people. I look forward to building on UM’s remarkable strengths to create new opportunities for discovery, student success, and public impact.”

  • Dr. Michael Lynn has been appointed as the Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. He will assume this role on July 15, 2026.

    Dr. Lynn joins the University of Montana from Purdue University Northwest, where he has served in a variety of academic leadership roles, including Associate Dean, Interim Dean, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, department chair, and assistant dean. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a collaborative leadership style grounded in faculty engagement, student success, strategic planning, and academic excellence.

    As a senior academic leader, Dr. Lynn has overseen budgets, academic programs, enrollment initiatives, faculty hiring, and student success efforts across the humanities, social sciences, education, and counseling disciplines. He brings extensive experience leading through institutional change while supporting faculty, staff, and students.

    A Professor of History, Dr. Lynn is an accomplished scholar whose research focuses on eighteenth-century French history and the history of science. He has authored and edited multiple books, published extensively in leading scholarly journals, and remains actively engaged in national professional organizations. He currently serves as Treasurer of the American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies.

    Throughout his career, Dr. Lynn has combined scholarly achievement with a deep commitment to advocating for the humanities and social sciences and their vital role in preparing students for meaningful careers, engaged citizenship, and lifelong learning.

    Of his appointment, Dr. Lynn shared:

    “I am honored to join the new College of Humanities and Social Sciences. I am keenly interested in advocating for the humanities and social sciences at the University of Montana, in the region, and nationally. I am especially looking forward to working with faculty, staff, and students to craft a vision and plan for CHSS moving forward, a plan that highlights our considerable strengths, maintains our centrality in the education of all students at the University, and emphasizes our continued importance in preparing all students for employment and for life.”

Griz Gratitude

Nathan Burkhart, Client Experience Manager, HelpDesk: Client Experience

Warm thanks to Nathan Burkhart in IT. During a busy move-in day, he spent an hour and 30 minutes with me at the IT help desk in the Mansfield Library trying to resolve a microphone malfunction on my work laptop. His success in solving the problem was due in no small part to his patience and persistence. I really appreciate his commitment to finding a solution to the problem. Thank you Nathan! — Daisy Rooks

Larry Tarver, Carpenter, Lock and Paint Foreman, Facilities Services

larry putting up bannersStudents walking on campus with banners on poles

A huge thank you to Larry Tarver for the countless hours and skill he put into installing the new banners across campus! Larry went above and beyond to make sure every banner was installed properly and looked its best. His attention to detail and dedication helped transform campus with school spirit, color, and a warm welcome for our students and campus community returning to the University of Montana.

We truly appreciate all the time and effort Larry put into making this project a success. His hard work has made a big impact and campus looks incredible! — Goat Lamb

Sean Helms, Gardens Facilities Manager, and UC Gardens Team

Thank you, Sean Helms and the UC Garden Team, for all that you do for the building and wider campus. We've had several great years of veggie distribution, and I have personally enjoyed many salads and cucamelons thanks to their efforts. Furthermore, it's always exciting to see innovative plant displays when I visit the building, like the new carnivorous set-up outside the south side of the UC. I love plants and I love the UC Gardens Team! — Julia Tonne

 

Read more Griz Gratitude in the archive.