COS Dean Search
COS Dean Announcement
The Office of the Provost is pleased to announce that Dr. Leslie Rissler has been appointed as the inaugural Dean of the College of Science. Dr. Rissler will assume this role on August 1, 2026.
Dr. Rissler joins the University of Montana from the National Science Foundation (NSF), where she currently serves as Section Head for Living Systems and has held multiple senior leadership positions, including Acting Division Director and Acting Deputy Division Director in the Division of Environmental Biology. Throughout her tenure at NSF, she has overseen research portfolios exceeding $100 million annually, guided national research priorities, and led initiatives that strengthen research capacity, support faculty development, and advance safe and inclusive research environments.
Prior to joining NSF, Dr. Rissler served on the faculty of the University of Alabama, where she rose to the rank of Professor of Biological Sciences. An integrative biologist whose research spans ecology, evolution, conservation biology, and biodiversity science, she founded interdisciplinary academic programs, mentored students and faculty across career stages, and led efforts to strengthen public engagement with science.
Dr. Rissler brings extensive experience at the intersection of scientific research, higher education leadership, and federal research policy. Her work has focused on helping institutions build research capacity, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and position themselves for success within an evolving national research landscape. She is widely recognized for her leadership in supporting faculty research, broadening participation in STEM, and advancing excellence in science.
An elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Dr. Rissler has received numerous honors recognizing her contributions to scientific leadership, public engagement, and inclusive excellence. She holds a bachelor's degree from Indiana State University, a master's degree from Utah State University, and a doctorate from the University of Virginia. She completed postdoctoral training at the University of California, Berkeley.
Of her appointment, Dr. Rissler shared:
“I am honored to join the University of Montana and serve as the founding Dean of the College of Science. Science is one of humanity’s great endeavors because it invites us to approach the mysteries that surround us with curiosity, humility, and rigor. Few places invite scientific inquiry as naturally as Montana. Its extraordinary landscapes, waters, and communities provide a living laboratory for scientific discovery.
What excites me most is the opportunity to work alongside the many people who are invested in the future of the university because we have a rare opportunity to build a distinctive and nationally visible College of Science. Science is inherently collaborative, and the most important questions we face increasingly require us to build bridges among fields, perspectives, and people. I look forward to building on UM’s remarkable strengths to create new opportunities for discovery, student success, and public impact.”
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Rissler to the University of Montana.
Position Advertisement and Profile
The position has been posted on Interfolio.
We seek a dynamic academic leader with experience in administration and faculty leadership to guide the newly formed College of Science during its formative years. The successful candidate will bring a clear vision for establishing the identity and strategic direction of a new academic college within a complex R1 environment.
The inaugural Dean will demonstrate the ability to foster interdisciplinary scientific research and education, strengthen graduate and research infrastructure, and steward fiscal and personnel resources responsibly. An ability to collaborate effectively across the University and with external partners will be essential, as will a commitment to advancing student-centered excellence in STEM fields. Experience navigating structural transitions, supporting shared governance, and engaging donors, alumni, and research partners is highly desirable, as is a deep understanding of the College’s role within the broader mission of the University of Montana.
Search Committee Charge
The College of Science represents a central pillar of the University of Montana’s research and teaching mission and plays a critical role in sustaining UM’s R1 status and advancing interdisciplinary scientific inquiry. As a newly formed college, the deanship presents a distinctive opportunity to establish a strong academic identity, strategic direction, and a clear operational structure.
Search Committee
Barry Brown, Dean, Mansfield Library, Committee Chair
Tim McCue, Donor and Volunteer, College of Science
Doug Emlen, Professor, Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Yolanda Reimer, Professor, Computer Science
Kasper Hansen, Professor, DBBS - Neuroscience
Asia Marie Riel, Research Assistant Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
David Macaluso, Professor, Physics and Astronomy
Sean Kissane, Academic Finance Officer, Dean’s Office
Alexis Beckman-Gomez, Undergraduate Student, Premed
Alec Goldman, Ph.D. candidate, Mathematics
COS Dean Search Timeline
Phase 1 | Gather Feedback
On December 12, 2025, the Office of the Provost invited all College of Science faculty and staff to provide input on the upcoming dean search. Faculty and staff were encouraged to meet with Provost Lawrence on January 15 and/or complete the FY27 Dean Search Input Survey to share perspectives on the qualities, experiences, and priorities desired in the next dean, and to nominate search committee members.
Phase 2 | Review Feedback
Feedback gathered from the input sessions and surveys informed the development of the COS Dean Position Advertisement, the Search Committee charge, and the appointment of the COS Dean Search Committee members.
Phase 3 | Application and Interviews
The COS Dean position was posted on February 13, 2026, and closes on March 22, 2026. The Search Committee reviews applications and interviews candidates. On-campus interviews are planned for the last week of April and the first week of May, with final recommendations to the Provost anticipated by late May. On-campus itineraries will be reviewed by the Search Committee before arrangements are made.
Phase 4 | Offer and Onboard
Following the committee’s recommendations, the Provost will extend an offer to the selected candidate, with an anticipated start date in FY27.