row of flags from many different nations

World Languages and Cultures

If you are an alumnus of our program and would like to be included on this site, please contact Dr. Ona Renner-Fahey at Ona.Renner@mso.umt.edu. We would love to hear from you!

Our Graduates

    • Jack Baranski, Majors in Russian and Wildlife Biology. While at UM, Jack studied in Georgia on a Critical Language Scholarship through the U.S. State Department.
    • Matthew Fassett, Major in Russian. Matthew is currently in the M.A. program in Global and International Studies at Indiana University.
    • Scout McMahon, Majors in Russian and Linguistics. Scout is currently in a PhD program in Slavic Languages and Cultures at University of Washington. While at UM, Scout studied in Georgia on a Critical Language Scholarship through the U.S. State Department. She was awarded a Fulbright to Georgia, as well, but turned it down to attend graduate school.
    • Tatyana Rohrer, Majors in Russian and History, with a Certificate in Pre-Law. Tatyana is currently in Law School at Cornell University. She was awarded a Fulbright to Kyrgyzstan, as well, but turned it down to attend Law School.
    • Jonas Gannon, Major in Russian.
    • Sean Kunau, Majors in Russian and Political Science. While at UM, Sean interned for the International Rescue Committee and travelled to Latvia.
    • Spencer Simpson, Majors in Russian and Management Information Systems. Currently, Spencer is earning a Master’s Degree in Business Analytics at UM.
    • J Kolter Stevenson, Majors in Russian, Finance, Management Information Systems, and International Business. Currently Kolter is a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University in a PhD Program in Engineering Science, after completing an M.A. in Energy Systems there in 2025. While at UM, Kolter studied abroad in Kyrgyzstan on a Critical Language Scholarship through the U.S. State Department.
    • Keegan Lundman, Majors in Russian and History. Keegan is in a PhD program in Soviet History at the University of Kansas. While at UM she studied abroad in Ukraine. Following graduation, she worked as an Assistant International Programs Manager at UM’s Mansfield Center. She then lived and worked in Poland.
    • Camryn Vaugh, Majors in Russian and Political Science. Camryn works as an International Relations Specialist at the University of Wisconsin. While at UM she studied abroad in Kyrgyzstan. After graduation, she spent a year in Georgia on a Fulbright Grant and then worked in Washington DC, facilitating international exchanges funded by the Department of State.
    • Courtney Bentz, Major in Russian, Minor in European Studies, Certificate in Global Leadership. Currently Courtney is in graduate school at Princeton studying Public and International Affairs. Following graduation, Courtney spent her summer studying Russian on a Critical Language Scholarship. After working as a VISTA for the International Rescue Committee, she spent a year on a Fulbright Award in Kazakhstan and then spent a year in Japan as UM’s first-ever Luce Scholar.
    • Mary Grant, Majors in Russian and Political Science. Following graduation, Mary earned a commission as a Second Lieutenant with the US Army Reserve.
    • Nyota Haley, Major in Russian, Minor in Arabic Studies. Nyota works as a Program Manager for the International Rescue Committee in Seattle. During her time at UM, Nyota studied abroad in Ukraine.
    • Ethan Holmes, Majors in Russian and Political Science. Ethan works as a Communications Director for the Montana Commissioner of Securities and insurance in Helena, Montana. Following graduation, Ethan taught English in Novosibirsk and the began a graduate program in Politics/Economics/Philosophy at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow.
    • Monica Paul, Majors in Russian and Psychology, Minor in Central and Southwest Asian Studies, Certificate in Global Leadership. Monica works as an English as a Second Language Instructor in Billings, Montana. During her time at UM, Monica studied abroad in Irkutsk, Russia. Following graduation, Monica taught in NY state through Teach for America and then received a Master’s Degree in ESL at Canisius University. 
    • Nathan Saunders, Major in Russian, Certification in TEFL. Nathan woks for the U.S. Department of Justice as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Savannah, Georgia. Following graduation, Nathan worked for American Home in Russia and then attended Law School at University of Arkansas.
    • Kai Scott, Major in Russian, Minor in English. During his time at UM, Kai studied in St. Petersburg, Russia.
    • Esme Brudie Janigo, Major in Russian, Minor in Journalism. Esme is a ceramicist in Anchorage, Alaska.
    • Andrew Castellanos, Majors in Political Science and Russian. Andrew works in Washington, D.C. for the State Department for the Office of the Legal Advisor and Office of Law Enforcement and Intelligence. While at UM Andrew Studies abroad in Irkutsk, Russia and the received a Boren Scholarship which sent him to study in Kazakhstan for a year. Following graduation, received an MA from Johns Hopkins University and now works in DC.
    • Natasha Harwood, Majors in German and Russian. Natasha works as a Speech Language Pathologist in the Helena Public Schools. Following graduation, Natasha spent a year on a Fulbright Award in Germany and then received an MA in Speech Pathology from UM.
    • Maree Herron, Major in Russian, Minor in Linguistics. Maree is an ESL teacher in Spokane. Following graduation, Maree taught English in Russia and then received an MA in Teaching from Whitworth University.
    • Kitiri McDunn, Majors in Russian, History, and Central & Southwest Asian Studies; Minor in Linguistics. Kit is currently in a PhD program in Comparative Literature at the University of Oregon. During their time at UM, they studied abroad in Russia on a Critical Language Program through the U.S. State Department.
    • Daniel McKnew, Major in Russian. 
    • Rhees Miller, Minor in Linguistics. Rhees works as a Curriculum Manager at an accounting firm in Helena, Montana. Following graduation, Rhees taught English in Russia and then worked as an Administrative Professional for an Accounting Network.
    • Alex Turmell, Majors in Russian and Political Science. Awarded posthumously.
    • Tyler Zuidema, Major in Russian, Minor in Russian Studies. Following graduation, Tyler studied on a Critical Language Scholarship in Russia.
    • Lucas Ellson, Majors in Political Science and Russian. 
    • Lindsey Greytak, Major in Russian. Following graduation, Lindsey lived in Kazakhstan. She works as a translator and ESL teacher and is pursuing a Master's Degree in Russian at Middlebury College.       
    • Zachary Wall, Majors in Spanish and Russian. Zach later attended Nursing School at Colorado University. 
    • Julie Ammons, Major in Russian. (Has a previous B.A. from UM in Biology from 2010). After graduation, Julie spent a year on a Fulbright in Volgograd, Russia. She is now in a PhD Program in Slavic at the University of Southern California.
    • Mariah Johnson, Majors in Russian and English. Mariah earned a degree in Law from UM.
    • Emma Poirier, Majors in Russian and Theater.
    • Rebekah Welch, Majors in Journalism and Russian. Following an internship in Ukraine, Bekah then received an MA in International Studies in Russian, Eastern Europe, or Central Asian Studies from the University of Washington.
    • ShayLee Perry, Major in Russian. ShayLee works as a dog groomer in Missoula.
    • Claire Robertson, Majors in Music and Russian. Claire is pursuing a Masters degree in Music at West Virginia University.
    • Justin Davis, Major in Russian. Justin works as a Workplace Planning Consultant for Fidelity Investments in North Carolina. Following graduation, Justin lived in Russia for several years, where he taught English. He received a Master’s Degree in International Managemetn from the Higher School of Economics in Moscow, Russia.
    • Ann Demi, Major in Russian. Anne is entering the Air Force, in Special Investigations.
    • Lona Gregor, Major in Psychology and Russian. Lona works at Community Medical Center in Missoula.
    • Erin Herbrand, Majors in Russian and Psychology. Erin words as an Admissions Coordinator at Newcare Convalescent Center in Wisconsin. Following graduation Erin lived in Russia for a couple years, where she taught English.
    • Larry Himes, Major in Russian.
    • Isabel Makman, Major in Russian. Izzy works as an Emergency doctor.
    • Benjamin Thomas, Major in Russian. After graduation Ben completed Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) school.
    • Anastasia Wilde, Majors in Music and Russian. Anatasia works as a Missoula-based adventure photographer.
    • Aurora Bayless, Majors in Wildlife Biology and Russian.
    • Christina Bloemen, Majors in Political Science and Russian. Christina works as Senior Deputy District Attorney in Denver, Colorado. Following graduation, Christina spent a year in Ukraine on a Fulbright Fellowship.
    • Matthew Cassel, Majors in Political Science and Russian. Matt is pursuing an MA in Political Science at UM.
    • Emily Gary, Majors in Political Science and Russian. Emily is pursuing an MA at American University.
    • Abigail Homer-Mayhugh, Major in Russian. For many years, Abby has worked in Central Asia with American exchange students on programs sponsored by the US State Department. She has also won two Fulbright grants to work in Kazakhstan.
    • David King, Major in Russian.
    • Kassidy Malone-Douglas, Major in Russian. Kassidy is a software engineer in Portland.
    • Ethan McKown, Majors in Russian and Political Science. Ethan is a Senior Environmental Planner in Hawaii. He has an MA in Global Environmental Policy from American University.
    • Sarah Peek, Majors in English and Russian. Sarah works as a flight attendant with Alaska Airlines.
    • Dakota Whisler, Majors in Russian and German. Dakota is a PhD student in Linguistics at the University of Oregon. He uses game mechanics to enhance second language acquisition. He has an MA in digital media from Brunel University in London. Following graduation from UM, Dakota taught English in China and in Russia.
    • Brinna Boettger, Majors in Russian and English. Brinna spent a year in Belarus on a Fulbright Fellowship.
    • Miriam Brown, Majors in Russian and Anthropology. Miriam is a Pathologist in Nashville, TN. She did her medical residency at Vanderbilt, after receiving her MD from the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
    • Eleana Joyner, Majors in Russian and Psychology.
    • Kenneth Judd, Major in Russian.
    • Alla Kirilovich, Majors in Health and Human Performance and in Russian. Alla works as a Client Services Coordinator at the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services and also is a small business owner.
    • Alec Short, Major in Russian. After graduation Alec worked as a manager at Mile High Multilingual Services. He now works as a realtor with the Peak Properties Group in Colorado.
    • Greta Starrett, Major in Russian. After graduation Greta spent a year in the Republic of Georgia on a Fulbright Fellowship. She then received her MA in International Studies from the University of Washington.
    • Joel Beckham, Russian Major. In his senior year Joel spent a year studying at Moscow State University on a prestigious Boren award.
    • Jane Blevins, Russian and Business Majors. Jane works as a Legal Assistant at Reep, Bell, Laird, Simpson and Jasper in Missoula.
    • Krista Ford, Russian Major. Krista has been teaching English in Kiev.
    • Taylor Keister, Russian and German Majors. Taylor received an MA in Slavic from the University of Kansas and is currently pursuing a degree in Library and Information Science from Emporia State University in Kansas. As a part of this program he is a junior fellow at the Library of Congress.
    • Emily Koffler, Russian and Political Science Majors
    • Tamara Lemeza, Russian Major
    • Tyler Theisen, Russian Major. Tyler has a Law Degree from UM and is the owner of Theisen Property Management in Missoula.
    • Travis Vincent, Russian and Economics Majors. After graduation Travis spent a year in Russia on a Fulbright Research Fellowship. He then received his MA from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C.  
    • Dailen Aichlmayr, Major in Russian. Following graduation, Dalen moved to Russia, where he has lived and worked for years.
    • Victoria Allen, Major in Russian
    • John Dunkum, Major in Russian. John received an MA in History from the University of Montana. His thesis was on the Soviet Commissar of Enlightenment, Anatoly Lunacharsky.
    • Vadeem Lemeza, Majors in Russian and Business
    • Ryan Berkshire, Majors in Russian and Music
    • Tyler Dolan, Majors in Russian and English. In 2014 Tyler received an MA in Education from Concordia University in Portland, Oregon. Currently he is pursuing a PhD in Slavic at the University of Illinois.
    • Elizabeth Fullerton, Russian Major. Following graduation, Liz spent time in Tajikistan and then worked in Kazakhstan with the Peace Corps. She now works as a paraprofessional at Washington Middle school in Missoula.
    • Chad Chittenden, Russian Major. Chad has lived in Russia since 2012, working in freelance as a filmmaker, interpreter, teacher, and translator. In 2017 he will begin a graduate program at the Met Film School in Berlin, Germany.
    • Jessica Eddison, Russian Major. Following graduation Jessica taught English in Georgia, China, and Thailand. She currently works as a paraprofessional at Sentinel High School in Missoula and is pursuing an AAS in Radiologic Technology.
    • Abby Grewatz, Majors in Russian and Anthropology. Following graduation, Abby taught English in Moscow for a year. She then pursued a Master’s Degree at the University of Oregon, where she studied Russian folk art. She now works as the Coordinator of the Study Skills Center at Cheekiest Community College in Salem, Oregon.
    • Lily Scott, Majors in History and Russian. Lily is finishing a PhD in Slavic at UC-Berkeley.
    • Sarah Turner, Russian Major.
    • Katie Cole, Majors in French and Russian. Following graduation, Katie taught English in France. She now works as a Health Education Specialist for the State of Montana.
    • Mylisa Jones, Majors in Russian and History. Mylisa received a Master's Degree in Slavic from the University of Kansas. She now teaches English and Russian in the Pribilof School District in St. Paul, Alaska.
    • Mike Sherwood, Majors in History, Political Science and Russian. Mike earned a law degree from UM and now works as an attorney with Milodragovich, Dale & Steinbrenner, P.C. in Missoula.
    • Mike Welch, Majors in History and Russian.
    • John Windsor, Russian Major.
    • Shannon Criswell, Russian Major.
    • Jubal Watson, Majors in Russian and Liberal Studies.
    • Tessa Zolnikov, Russian Major. Following graduation, Tessa attended two summer Russian language programs and did volunteer work in Tajikistan. Following that she pursued an MBA at UM. Currently she is attending medical school at the University of Washington.
    • Kristina Gizinski, Russian Major.
    • Thomas Barret, Russian Major. Following graduation, Thom spent a year in Russia teaching English.
    • Glen Grover, Russian Major (1998) Following graduation, spent three years in the Peace Corps in the Russian Far East. Received a Masters Degree in Russian at the University of Arizona in 2006.
    • Dr. James (Frank) Goodwin, Liberal Arts Major & Student of Russian (1986) Associate Professor of Russian at the University of Florida
    • Dr. Thomas Seifrid, B.S. in Wildlife Biology & Russian Major (1978)