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 & Goings

Kennedi Bouchee

Administrative Associate IV

The Montana Clinical and Translational Research Center and the Montana Public Health Training Center would like to welcome Kennedi Bouchee to the team! Kennedi will be joining us as our new Administrative Associate IV position. She graduated from UM in Psychology in 2024. We are so excited to welcome her to our team.

Peter Donaldson

TRIO Student Support Services Advisor

Peter Donaldson, TRIO Student Support Services Advisor, is leaving UM after fifteen years, serving three years as the TRIO program coordinator and the past twelve years as an advisor. His next journey is a position with the National Association of Social Workers.

During his time here, Peter provided genuine care and comprehensive support to First Generation and low income students, as well as students with disabilities. He not only served students well, but he also served on numerous committees supporting students. He is a leader for college access and success at the state and regional level, serving as Montana ASPIRE President and the President of the Montana College Access Network. Recently, he was awarded the Art Quinn Memorial Award, the highest honor given by the regional association, ASPIRE. He won this for his leadership and exceptional work serving students through TRIO. Peter is also a TRIO SSS Alumna.

Peter completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Montana. We wish him well on his next work journey!

Clayton Murphy

MTPR's Capitol Bureau Chief

Clayton Murphy is Montana Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief based in Helena. He covered Montana’s 2025 legislative session, worked with Yellowstone Public Radio and is a recent University of Montana alum. He is excited to be jumping back into this state's fascinating political landscape. You can find more of Clayton's reporting here.

Caroline Weiss

MTPR's Environmental Reporter

Caroline Weiss joined the Broadcast Media Center/Montana Public Radio news team in September 2026 to cover climate and environmental stories. She attended the University of Montana’s Environment and Natural Resource Journalism Master’s Program and has reported around the state for MTN News and Bugle Magazine. See and hear Caroline's reporting work here.

Sheridan Wood

MTPR's "All Things Considered" Host

Sheridan Wood developed her journalism chops reporting for her local NPR member station in West Texas while earning her undergraduate degree in journalism from Abilene Christian University where her stories focused on Native communities, archeology and environmental issues. She has reported from wildfires in Texas to earthquakes in Morocco to global environmental policy in Washington, D.C. Her environmental reporting has been featured on NPR’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered, and she has won regional and national awards from the Society of Professional Journalists. She was also awarded a Critical Language Scholarship from the U.S. State Department and spent the summer learning Arabic in Morocco. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism from UM, and is Montana Public Radio's new "All Things Considered" host.

Seielstad, Gardner named Associate Deans of W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation

Dr. Carl Seielstad and Dr. Payton Gardner have officially been named associate deans of the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation.

Dr. Carl Seielstad

Seielstad will serve as the associate dean for research. He received his Ph.D. in Forestry from the University of Montana in 2003 and has served as an interim associate dean for the past year. His fire career spans more than 30 years, including time as a hotshot and smokejumper. He currently advises UM’s Student Association of Fire Ecology and Management, oversees fire and fuels management activities of the Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station, and directs research and workforce development efforts at the National Center for Landscape Fire Analysis.

Dr. Payton Gardner

Gardner will serve as the associate dean for academic affairs. He received his Ph.D. in Geophysics in 2009 from the University of Utah and has dedicated his life to studying the earth and its hydrological cycle. Before his time as a professor at UM, Gardner served as a senior member of the technical staff at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He has also served as an expert consultant for the Nuclear Waste Technology Section of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria, and worked in the Office of the Chief Executive Postdoctoral Fellow, CSIRO Land and Water in Adelaide, Australia.

Introducing New Marketing and Communications Colleagues

Jessica Abell

Jessica Abell is the marketing and communications manager for the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation. Jess is an award-winning writer and photographer with more than a decade of experience in Montana journalism. She previously served as Managing Editor of the Ravalli Republic newspaper, covering the beautiful Bitterroot Valley. Her work has been published in newspapers across Montana, including the Missoulian, Helena Independent Record, Montana Standard and Billings Gazette. She has been honored with awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and the Montana Newspaper Association in writing, photography and design categories.

Austin Amestoy

Austin is a proud graduate of the University of Montana (Journalism, 2022) and an even prouder resident of Missoula. He grew up in Laurel, Montana as the oldest of four siblings, all of whom he is glad to be close with to this day. After starting his career as a public radio morning show host and reporter, he joined the College of the Arts and Media as its marketing and communications manager in August. In this new role, Austin will tell the story of the exceptional students and faculty in the College to prospective students, alumni, donors and all who are invested in the success of the arts and media at UM.

Austin believes in the power of creativity to shape our world for the better. In his free time, he likes to cook, watch movies, play games, and spend time with his lovely wife, Addie.

Kat Franchino

Kat Franchino is the marketing and communications manager for the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education. Originally from Wisconsin, she graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in journalism. In her role at UM, Kat collaborates with the College of Education to tell its story and drive student recruitment by writing stories and managing social media. She enjoys playing the violin poorly and keeping her garden mostly alive.

Will Gray

Will Gray is a local Montana designer, artist, and visual communicator who makes creativity and storytelling central to his work. As a graphic designer on UM’s Brand Strategy team, Will creates engaging and dynamic visuals across a variety of formats and departments, bringing UM’s history, narrative, and spirit to life.

Two Long-Serving Grizzlies Retire

Two cornerstones of our campus community - who both began work at UM in 1985, 41 years ago - have announced their retirements:

Chuck Maes, a Griz fan, and the Little Brown Stein

Chuck Maes, Grizzly Athletics

Brian Fruit at the beach as the sun sets

Brian Fruit, Campus Recreation

The Registrar's Office Welcomes Roman Winter!

The Registrar's Office is excited to welcome a new client and communications specialist, Roman Winter. Roman joins UM from Wyoming and will be on the front lines of the Registrar's Office, assisting walk-in visitors. Please stop by to welcome Roman to the UM family and the Aberhood!

Chair Changes

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

Griz Gratitude

Allison McJannet

Big shout out to Allison McJannet for her stellar work on the new UM Self-Guided Tour publication, which is available inside Gilkey. You can see some of that work on the updated Digital Campus Map, and she also revamped this printable map in the process. — Brad Lane

Don-Vincent Snell

The ODE Team would like to extend appreciation and gratitude to Don-Vincent Snell, Accessible Software Training Specialist. Don-Vincent is extremely helpful and communicative with both ODE staff and students who may be utilizing assistive technology. He is always quick to respond to concerns or challenges that may arise with the software. We greatly appreciate his work and value his collaboration and efforts! Thank you Don-Vincent! — ODE Team

Facilities Services Labor Team

A big Griz Gratitude shoutout to Skip, Steve, Fluff and the entire Facility Services Labor team for going above and beyond during this year's Homecoming festivities! From moving and hauling to shifting and rearranging what seemed like endless amounts of stuff, this crew was always willing to lend a hand (and share a laugh or two along the way!).

We couldn't have pulled off all the Alumni and Homecoming fun without their hard work, flexibility and good humor. We are so grateful for this incredible team and all they do behind the scenes to help make the magic happen.

THANK YOU and GO GRIZ! — The Alumni Team

Lauren, Grace, Jesse, Jimmy, Erin

Lauren, Grace, Jesse, Jimmy, and Erin: Thank you for creating such a welcoming, open and kind work environment. Since starting my position, I’ve genuinely felt heard, seen and valued, and I’m incredibly grateful for that. It means so much to feel comfortable being myself, sharing my thoughts and knowing that I’m part of a team where people truly care.

I’m really appreciative of the positive environment you’ve created and the way you make this feel like a place where everyone has the opportunity to grow and contribute. It’s made my experience here so meaningful, and I’m excited to continue learning, growing and building relationships with everyone on the team.

I’m so grateful to be a part of this team, and I can’t wait to see everything we accomplish together in the future! — Jordan Crawford

Nick Tarter

I would like to express my deep gratitude to Nick Tarter, whose incredible responsiveness, seemingly comprehensive knowledge of UM's spaces and acute understanding of faculty, staff and students' needs make reserving spaces for classes and events a seamless, pleasant and satisfying experience. — Soazig Lebihan

Catering Team

I would like to recognize and extend a heartfelt Griz Gratitude to our incredible Catering team, especially during one of the busiest times of the year, Homecoming.

Homecoming is a tremendous undertaking for both our Catering service team and kitchen staff. During this busy week, they work long hours alongside their student employees to ensure that events happening across campus receive the exceptional service and amazing food that our campus community has come to appreciate.

There is so much work that happens behind the scenes to make each event successful; from the moment catering is ordered, to planning and scheduling, to food preparation, delivery, and setup. Every step requires coordination, flexibility, teamwork, and a tremendous amount of dedication.

Our Catering team truly puts their heart and soul into Homecoming week as well as many busy weeks during the fall and into every event they support. Their hard work often happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt across campus as they help create positive and memorable experiences for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests.

Thank you to the entire Catering team and your student employees for everything you do, especially during such a demanding week. Your commitment, long hours, and attention to detail do not go unnoticed. We are incredibly grateful for all that you do to help make Homecoming and our campus events throughout the year a HUGE success! — Katie Helms

Those Who Welcomed Middle School Students on Campus

The Center for the Advancement of Positive Education (CAPE), in collaboration with the MCPS Microschools Program, has brought over 60 middle school students to campus in recent weeks. Experiencing campus life has helped these students picture themselves learning, growing, and thriving in a college environment. Part of CAPE’s mission is helping young people develop positive identities, imagine possibilities for their futures, and stay curious about who they can become and the world around them. Thank you for helping us bring that mission to life! We are deeply grateful to the following people and teams who made these visits special for so many (hopefully!) future Grizzlies:

- Dr. Jenn Snow, Dr. Mike Perry, Dr. Dana Fitz Gale, Madelyn Pinkerton, Bonnie Spence, & Kat Franchino (Phyllis J. Washington College of Education)

- Brooklyn Draper & the wonderful instructors who opened classes to our visiting middle schoolers (College of Arts & Media)

- Michael Cassens & UM Esports

- Bart Bauer & Jeremy Crowley (Autonomous Aerial Systems Office)

- Angila Kress & UM Campus Dining

- Tracy Hall, Beverly Williams, & Geoff Badenoch (Montana Museum of Arts and Culture)

- Anna Bruning & Michelle Flores (UM Admissions/New Student Services)

- Maci Peters, Jorlynn Carroll-Odden, Riley Feeley, Gabriela Flores, & Caley Engstrom (PJWCOE student volunteers)

— Torey Wetsch