Under the M

After six years of service, Montana 10 Associate Director Joseph Grady will conclude their role with the University of Montana in May 2026.

Since 2020, Grady has contributed to the growth of Montana 10 into a statewide student success initiative supporting rural, first-generation, and Pell-eligible students. This work has been made possible through strong collaboration with campus and community partners, including the Undergraduate Advising Center, American Indian Student Services, TRIO, the Office of Disability Equity, Missoula College, the School of Social Work, Financial Aid and Business Services, Experiential Learning and Career Success, and Curry Health Center.

Montana 10 remains well-positioned for continued impact, with sustained institutional support and ongoing collaboration across campus.

Faculty and staff are invited to attend a professional send-off gathering 12 p.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, Aber Hall Room 425.

Join colleagues in recognizing the shared work and partnerships that continue to strengthen student success at UM.

Tobin Miller Shearer, History Professor and Director of the African American Studies Program, is retiring after 17 years at the University of Montana. The History Department is hosting a retirement reception in his honor from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Friday, May 1 at the Davidson Honors College lounge and patio. Please help us celebrate our dear friend and colleague as he moves on to his next adventure!

Peter McDonough, director of UM’s signature Climate Change Studies program, announced his departure some weeks ago. As he prepares for this bittersweet transition, Peter reflects on his UM experience of 13 years.

A community of collaboration and care
The culture of UM stands out as I think about leaving. No other place I’ve been in academics has felt as vibrant but scrappy. There is a general culture of student-focused and caring people wanting to collaborate here, which leads to so many interesting things going on. Each college and program has its challenges, but we make it work. People are here because they want to be here – that is rare.

An amazing student body
I like how diverse the student body is in terms of interests and backgrounds and passions for different things. UM students are so fun to work with!

On mentors and role models
At UM, I have been a teacher as a learner, and a learner as a teacher. I have found mentorship through formal assignments and random encounters. Many of my mentors have been students and, of course, colleagues. For example:

• The Davidson Honors College staff have been amazingly supportive, especially Tim Nichols as a supervisor and friend;
• Environmental Studies faculty continue to inspire me;
• An unexpected team-teaching partnership with Andrew Wilcox in Geosciences transformed my approach to teaching; and
• Writing Center colleagues Kelly Webster and Amy Ratto-Parks helped me design assignments to support student learning.

UM’s academic strengths
As the director of an interdisciplinary program, I know first-hand that UM is well set up for interdisciplinary work. Our collaborative, can-do culture finds ways to innovate that would be impossible at other universities. There are barriers, of course, but I’ve often seen faculty find the passion and motivation to overcome them, especially when students are involved. We realize our full potential when people with very different skill sets and perspectives come together. It’s been a source of frustration as well as inspiration over the years and stands out as a unique aspect of my UM experience.