July 18, 2022

 

The Alexander Blewett III School of Law would like to acknowledge two of our esteemed professors who are moving on to other institutions in the fall. Dr. Sara Rinfret and Professor Monte Mills have both made a significant impact on the University of Montana, our communities, and will continue to shape the world in their future roles.

Dr. Sara Rinfret will be joining her alma mater as a full professor with Northern Arizona University.  In Dr. Rinfret’ s almost 9 years at UM, she served as UM’s MPA Director, department chair, associate dean, and acting dean. Rinfret is a Fulbright Scholar and nationally recognized for her research in environmental policy, regulation, and public administration and policy, publishing over 40 peer reviewed articles and 8 books. She is an award-winning teacher, focusing on innovation in the public administration and policy classroom using VR technology and robots to ensure education empowers marginalized communities.

During her time at the University of Montana, Dr. Rinfret created the inaugural Department of Public Administration, led the first-time accreditation for the Master of Public Administration Program, the only accredited Masters of Public Administration program in Montana, oversaw a 35% increase in enrollment, developed the annual Public Service Academy, created 15 new degree programs across modalities (online, in-person, and robot).

After seven years, Professor Monte Mills will be leaving his position as Professor and Co-Director of the Margery Hunter Brown Indian Law Clinic (MHBILC) to become the Charles I. Stone Professor of Law and Director of the Native American Law Center at the University of Washington School of Law in Seattle.

Professor Mills is a nationally-renowned scholar on tribal sovereignty and natural resources. He has taught a number of courses, including Federal Indian Law, American Indian Natural Resources Law, Employment Law, and Race, Racism & American Law. Mills co-taught Law of People and Place, a field course that has traversed the various legal and geographical landscapes of Montana each of the last three summers.

Monte helped reinvigorate the school’s Indian and tribal law program, fulfilling the school’s mission to serve as the legal resource for tribal leaders and tribal governments across Montana and throughout the region.

Mills helped advise a range of student groups, including the Native American Law Students Association (NALSA) and the local chapter of the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) and served in a variety of service roles within both the School of Law and the University. Most recently, Mills served as Acting Dean, Student Success, along with his colleagues Professors Cathay Smith (Acting Dean, Academic Affairs) and Dr. Sara Rinfret (Acting Dean, Public Administration and Policy).

Both Dr. Rinfret and Professor Mills will be missed at the Alexander Blewett III School of Law. We wish them continued success as they move on to the next chapter of their careers. Please join us on Tuesday, July 26^th from 1-2p.m. for an ice cream social at the School of Law to celebrate.