October 3, 2022

Dear UM Community,

As you are aware, one of the University of Montana’s five Priorities for Action is to embody the principle of “Mission First, People Always.” This priority reminds us that we must always strive to better support our talented employees while proactively creating an inclusive culture of employee excellence, engagement, and leadership. 

Many of you have shared with me the need for a more intentional approach to supporting our employees. We have enacted several new strategies over the past few years – from the creation of the Office of Organizational Learning and Development (OOLD) to investments in support-focused positions for new employees – but those strategies, while impactful, do not add up to a comprehensive response to employee needs. 

Meanwhile, the COVID pandemic created new stressors for all employees, and the tight labor market and rising cost of living have posed new challenges to our ability to attract and retain talent at UM. I am grateful for our shared governance colleagues – Staff Senate, ASUM, and Faculty Senate – who have over the past few years provided insights into the impacts of these challenges on our employees. The need for a well-orchestrated effort to promote a healthy, supported workplace culture has never been more urgent.

In response, I have decided to bring together several employee-focused functions under a single People and Culture sector led by a vice president. This leader will build a more holistic focus on the employee experience and enhance the operational functions currently run by Human Resource Services. This leader will provide an informed lens on the modern workforce and bring extensive experience in human resources, management, growth of talented teams, and employee support in a complex organization. 

Tasked with establishing new direction, policies, and vision, this leader will oversee the transition of some existing units to a People and Culture sector, including, our current Human Resource Services functions, the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX, the Office of Organizational Learning and Development, the Women’s Leadership Initiative, and select diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Meanwhile, our long-serving and dedicated Associate Vice President for Human Resource Services Terri Phillips will be retiring at the end of the current academic year. I am deeply grateful for her leadership over the years and for her counsel as we transition Human Resource Services to live under a broader People and Culture sector. As we onboard the vice president for people and culture, Terri will advise on how we can best backfill the many responsibilities she has carried over the years.

Chief of Staff Kelly Webster has accepted my invitation to serve as chair of this search committee. We aim to announce this new leader before the start of spring semester.

I am excited to bring to campus a new leader who will help UM ensure our talented people are engaged, supported, and recognized.

Seth