Meet the Graduate School Team
The Graduate School staff at the University of Montana is here to help you navigate every step of your graduate journey — from exploring programs and completing applications to understanding degree requirements and celebrating your success at graduation.
Our knowledgeable and friendly team is dedicated to providing efficient, effective, and personalized support to students, faculty, and departments across campus. Whether you’re a prospective student looking for the right program, a current student seeking guidance, or a faculty member with a procedural question, we’re here to assist with professionalism and care.
The Graduate School office is located in the Davidson Honors College, lower (garden) level, Room 002. We are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time). Visitors are always welcome — if you’re on campus, please stop by and say hello!
To learn more about the roles and responsibilities of each team member, click on their individual photos below. You’ll find details on how we each contribute to supporting UM’s more than 2,600 graduate students, advancing the university’s R1 research mission, and ensuring that every student and program receives exceptional service.
Meet our Graduate Research Assistant (GRAs)
Maggie Bornstein | Graduate Research Assistant
Maggie is a first-year master’s student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Before graduate school, she worked in advocacy and community-based nonprofit organizations, bringing experience in outreach, communication, research, and community engagement.
At the Graduate School: Maggie supports Graduate School communications and community-building efforts, including social media and newsletter development, student and faculty engagement initiatives, and advising and mentorship resources.
Taylor Colony | Graduate Research Assistant
Taylor is a first-year graduate student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Originally from Lexington, Kentucky, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Wake Forest University, where she worked as an undergraduate research assistant in two labs. Before graduate school, Taylor spent two and a half years in Lesotho as a Peace Corps volunteer, teaching fourth-grade English and life skills.
At the Graduate School: Taylor supports the planning and coordination of the Montana Science Fair, Graduate School handbook and orientation resources, and reviews departmental handbooks. She also conducts research on international graduate student recruitment and support practices at peer institutions.
Victoria Giovannangelo | Graduate Research Assistant
Victoria is a PhD student in Anthropology whose research focuses on bioarchaeology of North Mexico through multidisciplinary analysis of skeletal and molecular remains as well as material contexts. Before graduate school, she worked in archaeological curation and body modification.
At the Graduate School: Victoria supports projects focused on student retention, holistic admissions, WRGP enrollment trends, and the evaluation of graduate student mentoring and support
Taylor Penwell | Graduate Research Assistant
Taylor is a fourth-year PhD candidate in Clinical Psychology working with Dr. Caitlin Martin-Wagar in the Laboratory for Eating Disorders and Equity. Before graduate school, she worked in clinical and research coordination roles at The Renfrew Center and the University of Louisville. Her research focuses on eating disorder treatment outcomes, relapse and remission, and barriers to accessing treatment.
At the Graduate School: Taylor supports website content and maintenance, strategic enrollment initiatives, and the Cost of Education Project. She also conducts research and analysis related to statistics, artificial intelligence, research-focused programs, and coursework at UM and peer institutions.