|
MUSings
December 21, 2020
Clayton T. Christian
Commissioner of Higher Education
____________________________________
As the first shipments of COVID-19 vaccine arrive in Montana, I don’t think I’m alone in tempering a growing sense of hope for the new year with the hard reality that the pandemic isn’t going anywhere just yet.
My office continues to work alongside our partners at the local, state and federal level every day to monitor pandemic trends and the resources available to respond, including testing capacity, treatment capacity, space for quarantine and isolation and now, thankfully, vaccine availability. It’s a planning process that will require the involvement of our entire network of health and safety partners and we’ll work to keep our campus communities informed as details become available.
 I’ve shared in this newsletter before, and it warrants repeating, how humbled I am by the tremendous efforts that allowed our students to continue their academic progress over the past year. Volumes could be written about the innovation, perseverance and personal sacrifices made at every level of our public university system.
The pandemic also brought into focus the critical role our public universities play when a crisis demands innovation, research and high-level expertise. Scientists at the Montana University System’s two flagship campuses are making a local and global impact with advances in testing, pandemic modeling and vaccine research.
What has been less visible amidst the tumult of 2020, but no less important, is the ongoing work at each of our campuses to advance our public university system’s core mission of providing all students access to high-quality, affordable post-secondary education.
This issue of the MUSings newsletter is dedicated to that work, celebrating the achievements of students, faculty and staff as well as our community partners and elected officials who have continued to strive for excellence in the face of adversity.
I hope you enjoy the highlights below shared by our campuses for this special year-end edition of the MUSings newsletter. Watch for our regular newsletter format to return on January 11.
I wish you a happy and healthy holiday season,
|
|
|
|
University of Montana
MISSOULA — 2020 was a year of achievement, growth and grit at the University of Montana.
Over the summer, and as a result of a unique public health partnership and effort to advance a COVID-19 vaccine, UM was named one of the top 10 universities in the world when it comes to solving the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, the UM College of Business again ranked as the top business school in the Big Sky; UM Online was recognized as one of the nation’s best undergraduate programs for veterans; and UM is again home to a Rhodes Scholar finalist.
As a result of renewed efforts to strengthen student support services, the UM student retention rate surpassed 75 percent, a seven percent increase in the past two years. Students at UM are more likely to stay on course to graduate because of bolstered academic advising, a reimagined orientation, new wellness and health care support and a reinvestment in learning centers. In addition, there are more graduate students enrolled at UM than ever before. In the fields of healthcare, law, education and other disciplines, UM graduate students are able to connect with the community in new, impactful ways.
 In 2020, annual research receipts at UM exceeded $100 million for the very first time. In fact, research expenditures at UM have grown by more than 90 percent since 2014. UM researchers also received the single largest award in the history of the university to move forward with critical opioid alternative vaccine clinical trials in 2020. It isn’t just the world-class vaccine research being conducted by the UM Center for Translational Medicine that is driving this increase in academic research; UM researchers are hard at work studying hearing loss, muscle endurance, snowpack levels and their impact on farmers and anglers, and many other problems and challenges affecting Montanans.
The UM Foundation formally concluded Campaign Montana in 2020 – a seven-year private fundraising effort. At its conclusion, Campaign Montana raised more than $450 million in private support for UM, making it the most successful development effort in the history of the state. Throughout the campaign, donors stepped forward from all 50 states and pledged more than 100,000 individual gifts to support student scholarships, infrastructure upgrades, classroom improvements and faculty resources.
In regard to new infrastructure, UM made profound investments to enhance learning spaces and improve the student experience. For the first time in generations, UM refurbished the famed oval – the centerpiece of campus. With stamped brick and updated walkways, the oval is safer and more stunning than ever. UM also made significant improvements to Urey Lecture Hall, the largest shared learning space on campus to better meet the needs of students and instructors. Students also have a large range of new offerings on campus, including an updated Pantzer Residence Hall and a new dining facility and coffee shop named Rise and Rooted.
In addition to the renewal of physical spaces on campus, prospective students now have additional academic offerings to choose from. Most notably, UM launched a new undergraduate Public Health degree program. Dozens of students have gravitated to the new program amidst the pandemic and are playing an active role in the Missoula City-County Health Department’s response to COVID-19.
Meanwhile, Missoula College, UM's two-year campus, launched a new paramedicine program in partnership with local first responders. Missoula Emergency Services is providing full scholarships for students to attend this program each year with the agreement that they will stay in the Missoula Valley upon graduation to fill the shortage of local first responders.
|
|
|
|
Montana State University
BOZEMAN — Despite facing one of the most challenging periods in its history, Montana State has remained true to its land-grant mission of education, research and outreach.
In addition to calendar changes to accommodate COVID-19, MSU has provided symptomatic students with walk-up testing and contact tracing, thanks to CARES Act funding and Gov. Steve Bullock, easing demand for those resources in the community. MSU remains grateful for the incredible efforts of its on-campus medical professionals, as well as for all the dedication shown by students, faculty, staff and neighbors.
 In the early months of the pandemic, the MSU Alumni Foundation assisted MSU’s efforts to provide emergency assistance to students affected by COVID-19. Using a combination of federal CARES Act funding and more than $300,000 in private philanthropy, MSU and the foundation were able to help more than 400 students with basic necessities such as temporary housing, transportation, food and supplies.
MSU has strived to help our community and state, loaning diagnostic equipment to Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital, and helping expand statewide testing capacity thanks to our faculty and labs. Faculty remain at work developing complementary COVID-19 saliva testing, using wastewater to detect the virus, researching the pandemic’s effect on nurses and examining the spread of viruses from animals to humans.
This fall, MSU recorded an all-time high in research expenditures. The $167 million, obtained from competitive grants and contracts, will result in new knowledge and will confront specific challenges in Montana, the nation and world. And despite the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on higher education across the nation, MSU registered its third-largest enrollment in history at 16,249, while setting records for graduation rates and student retention.
With precautionary adjustments, MSU’s faculty continued strong teaching, research and outreach. Among many faculty achievements, Paul Gannon, Wan-Yuan Kuo and Meta Newhouse became MUS Teaching Scholars, receiving recognition for their innovative ways to help students succeed. And among many student honors over the year, MSU welcomed news of four new Goldwater scholars, bringing the university’s all-time total to 78 and reinforcing MSU’s position as one of the country’s top Goldwater-receiving institutions, as well as two Schwarzman Scholars, Taylor Blossom and Katherine Budeski.
The MSU community was proud this fall to feature noted author and MSU alumna Sarah Vowell discussing American democracy and her book “Lafayette in the Somewhat United States” at our annual Convocation. The university also welcomed U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, the first Native American to hold that title, as part of Indigenous Peoples Day.
MSU’s two-year campus, Gallatin College, marked its 10th anniversary helping students and southwest Montana businesses by providing qualified graduates for the local workforce, and the College plans to continue strengthening desperately needed career and technical programs.
Meanwhile, MSU continues to build for the future. Thanks to students’ support and fees, MSU opened its new Hyalite residence hall, and is moving forward with its new Student Wellness Center. Thanks to generous donors, construction continues on the American Indian Hall and Bobcat Athletic Complex. Finally, thanks to legislative support, the repurposing of Romney Hall is on schedule and on budget.
While all have missed the vibrancy that comes to campus from Bobcat Athletics competitions, MSU’s student athletes have continued to condition, train and study hard. MSU is tremendously proud of its student-athletes, coaches and fans: Go, Cats, Go!
|
|
|
|
Montana State University-Northern
HAVRE — 2020 was a historic year for MSU-Northern with the completion of its new football field, named for the late former NFL and Grizzly football player Mike Tilleman and his family in recognition of their contributions to MSU-Northern athletic programs.
The construction of Tilleman Field and its bleachers marks the completion of Phase 1 of the Northern Multipurpose Center.
In addition to breaking ground for the field construction, Northern broke ground in cyberspace with the release of its new 360-degree virtual campus tour for potential students. The tour features 70 interactive photos of various campus locations, as well as numerous photo galleries, videos, pop-up interactive elements, narrated information boxes and more.
 On the Student Access front, the Little River Institute, which serves as a center of tutoring, mentoring and support for American Indian Students, moved into its newly renovated space on the top floor of the Student Union Building, including a new elevator, a new tutoring room and the Sweetgrass Commons gathering area.
The Little River Institute received a $1.5 million grant to expand upon its work to increase retention and on-time graduation rates for American Indian students from the U.S. Department of Education's NASNTI program (Native American-Serving NonTribal Institutions).
MSU-Northern received $250,000 from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund to deliver accelerated apprenticeship education in plumbing and electrical programs at the Gallatin College, Great Falls College MSU and the Billings MSU Career Center.
Meanwhile, the campus’ industry partnerships with employers continue to flourish and provide students with opportunities to begin good-paying careers upon graduation. Just this month, MSU-Northern received a donation of a new trainer engine from Interstate Power Systems for use in the diesel program, a project that has been in the works for nearly a year and a half as IPS collaborated with Northern to tailor the engine to the college’s needs.
|
|
|
|
University of Montana Western
DILLON — 2020 was a year of accomplishments by students, faculty and staff at the University of Montana Western.
The university community completed, endorsed and entered the first year of its 2020-26 Strategic Plan: Building on the Promise of Experience One, with objectives including strengthening experiential learning, enhancing the student experience, increasing resources and support and enhancing the physical and virtual learning environment. These objectives were identified as having the greatest potential to strengthen and sustain the university and provide a roadmap to an even brighter future for the University of Montana Western.
With the departure of Chancellor Beth Weatherby, who announced she will retire this summer after nearly 30 years in higher education, the search is underway for a new Chancellor to carry the strategic plan forward.
 Meanwhile, the campus saw a number of highlights ranging from academic achievements to its first virtual hosting of the campus’ Annual Colt Sale.
On the academic front, UMW graduate, Heidi DuBray, was featured with 19 other graduates from across the country as a student from the Montana University System by Complete College America. Currently teaching at Napi Elementary School in Browning, Montana, DuBray was able to apply her education in the classroom as she completed her coursework as part of a 2+2 education partnership program with Blackfeet Community College, Browning Public Schools and UMW that allows Indigenous teachers to complete their education degrees without leaving their communities. More than 90 indigenous teaching candidates have completed or are near completion of a degree and/or licensure since the Blackfeet program was established in 2016, and 32 students are in the newer program at Little Big Horn College.
On the faculty side, Regents Professor of Geology Dr. Rob Thomas and Assistant Professor of Environmental Sustainability Dr. Arica Crootof each received seed funding awards from the Montana National Science Foundation Consortium for Research on Environmental Water Systems Workforce Development to support student research. The grants engaged students in collecting physical and social science data to inform management decisions on local water systems and provided the opportunity to gain valuable research experience and professional skills.
And the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education selected 14 faculty members and instructors for the Montana University System’s Teaching Scholars program, including Montana Western Assistant Professor, Nanci L. Red Bird.
Also in 2020, the University of Montana Western Foundation saw the largest private scholarship cash gift in the history of the university in 2020, receiving $476,507 to UMW students and securing an additional $80,000 in matching state Montana Access Scholarship funds.
|
|
|
|
Great Falls College MSU
GREAT FALLS — Great Falls College MSU kicked off its 51st year with the groundbreaking of its new dental clinic this fall.
The expansion, the result of wide bipartisan support in the 2019 Legislature, will add 11,000 square feet to the existing clinic while completely modernizing it and, most importantly, allowing Great Falls College to admit 25 dental hygiene students per year instead of 18. Great Falls College boasts the state’s only dental hygiene program as well as a dental assisting program. The project is expected to be complete by the start of the fall 2021 semester.
 Meanwhile, the College gave back to the medical community that has given so much to it, lending life-saving equipment and PPE from its respiratory therapy and surgical technology programs.
2020 also saw the approval of a part-time practical nurse track by the Montana Board of Nursing, allowing certified nursing assistants and others interested in advancing in their careers to continue working while pursuing a career in nursing. It is hoped this will help address the shortage of licensed practical nurses at critical access hospitals and other medical facilities across the state and nation. And, despite the pandemic, Great Falls College’s registered nursing graduates passed their boards at the highest rate in program history, beating state and national averages.
The College is grateful to have received funding from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief program. Funds received will be used to extend the respiratory therapy program as a pilot program in the OneMSU Network, bringing the respiratory program out of moratorium. The funds will also be used to explore remote options in welding, and offer the opportunity for computer professionals to earn industry certification.
2020 also was a year of student achievements. Great Falls College computer technology student Kody Gilleo received an Award for Research in Engineering and Science Grant through the Montana Space Grant Consortium, using it to program a smart plug to assist a cystic fibrosis patient. Charmaine “Charlie” Engum was named a Newman Civic fellow. And six graduates were honored at the Great Falls College Eagle Feather Ceremony.
The College also continued forging bonds with industry. An example is ADF, International, which provided a unique workplace learning opportunity for five welding students during the lockdown. The students earned wages while learning at a production site while the College’s campus shop was closed.
Looking to the future, the College is excited to have recently been named the first General Education Mobile school in the Montana University System, meaning U.S. Air Force and National Air Guard members can pursue their associate's degrees through the Community College of the Air Force by signing up for their general education classes at Great Falls College.
|
|
|
|
Montana Tech
BUTTE — Montana Technological University welcomed a new chancellor this past year, and despite the uncertain environment of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a year of progress.
With a renewed focus on student success, the university experienced a significant increase in retention, perhaps the highest ever, at 81 percent on the main campus for first-year students. The increased emphasis on recruitment, advising and the campus experience are evident in these numbers.
One addition to that student experience included the launch of the Montana Tech cross-country team, which established itself as a top program in its first year. Senior transfer Becca Richtman placed first in all three regular season meets. It was also an exciting year on the links for the men's and women's golf teams as they completed their most successful fall season in the school's history. The men's team won three out of four Frontier Conference tournaments and also won the Frontier Conference season title for the first time.
 Turning to academics, faculty and staff in the Precision Machining Program at Highlands College provided parts for NASA's International Space Station on SpaceX 21. Metallurgical and Materials Engineering student Kathryn Bozer was named a 2020 Barry Goldwater Scholar. The university also welcomed its second cohort of honors students.
In other exciting news, Montana Tech received official ABET accreditation for its civil and mechanical engineering programs. The university also received approval to offer a doctorate in Earth Science & Engineering, and gained final approval to deliver a master's degree in Ecological Restoration.
Montana Tech will continue to improve health care and enhance safety with the addition of the Lesar Family Nursing Simulation Center. The university received a $750,000 gift from the Sunderland Foundation, which, along with other major and principal gifts, allows Tech to move forward with the project. The center will start construction and open in 2021.
The university will open the Schweitzer Engineering Power-Systems Lab on campus before the end of the year. The addition of this lab not only strengthens the energy focus of Montana Tech but will position the university to be one of the best high-power schools in the nation.
The Montana Tech Foundation held a record-breaking giving event, DayOne, on its founding day, the 11th of September. DayOne is an opportunity for students, departments, programs, clubs and initiatives to raise funds in focused areas. This year's event raised nearly $200,000 over two days from 726 donors.
2020 also saw the launch of a new brand for Montana Tech – Montana True – which illuminates the university's home in Montana and showcases the beauty surrounding us. From the physical and sensory aspects such as big skies, mountain views and fresh air; to the attitudinal traits of keeping things real, authentic and telling it like it is; the brand presents a lifestyle and mindset that's unmistakably Montana Tech.
2020 was a productive year for Montana Tech, and 2021 and beyond is looking even brighter. The university's leadership team is almost complete, and the campus will execute new strategic and master plans to position the university for greatness.
|
|
|
|
Montana State University Billings
BILLINGS — Montana State University Billings will start 2021 under new leadership as Dr. Stefani Hicswa, Ph.D., takes the reins as Chancellor Jan. 11, following the resignation of Dan Edelman in July due to health issues.
Hicswa comes to MSUB from Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming, where she has served as president since 2013. Under her leadership, Northwest College achieved the highest completion rate in its history, completed significant capital projects and launched comprehensive strategic visioning and master plans.
“Dr. Hicswa demonstrated an incredible depth of understanding and strength of vision for higher education combined with a sincere passion to help students succeed," said MSU President Waded Cruzado, as she announced Hicswa’s selection for the position in October. “Her enthusiasm for MSU Billings and Montana is clearly evident.”
 Chancellor Hicswa will have the opportunity to carry forward significant momentum, including student achievements.
2020 also saw the naming of MSUB’s fifth Goldwater Scholarship nominee. Junior DJ McGee is pursuing a double major in psychology and biology with a minor in chemistry. He’s uncovered his passion for neuroscience, specifically in the fields of research and education.
And the MSUB peer education group HEROES was among three nationwide to earn the Outstanding Peer Education Group award at the General Assembly of NAPSA for their work to provide consistent health and safety resources on their campus, including using social media as an educational platform and creating online health resources.
2020 saw the launch of the 1+3 Pathway Program, a partnership of MSUB and Billings Public Schools that enables high school students to complete their first year of college while in high school. A combination of dual credit courses such as Advanced Placement, High School Connections and University Connections will count toward the 31 credits of general education requirements needed to start college as a sophomore. The program includes education courses so future teachers can complete college and start their careers sooner.
Also in 2020, MSUB was named a bronze-rated Military Friendly School by militaryfriendly.com. The ratings are based on six categories of benchmark standards for meeting the needs of military students including academic policies and compliance; admissions and orientation; culture and commitment; financial aid and assistance; graduation and career and military student support and retention.
Meanwhile, MSUB became an official site of the Office of Public Instruction’s “Systems of Care Tribal Wraparound Project." The new location in the MSU Billings College of Education is among nine sites statewide that provide culturally based, comprehensive services to youth in grades 6 through 12.
MSUB received funding this summer for two five-year grants through the U.S. Department of Education’s Student Support Services/TRIO Program. Funding for MSU Billings university campus is $362,740 and City College, MSUB’s two-year campus, received $261,888 annually for the next five years, totaling more than $3.1 million. The Student Support Services/TRIO Program provides academic and person-centered services to low-income, first-generation, or disabled college students to increase student retention and graduation rates and foster an institutional climate supportive of the success of these students.
MSU Billings also launched its new Advising and Career departments, which split the former Advising & Career Services department into separate units to fully carry the tenor of MSUB’s Strategic Plan – Students First – throughout the institution. The goal of this separation is to serve students in a more integrated, comprehensive and holistic manner from the time they enroll through the launch of their career.
The MSUB College of Business kept its place among elite business schools, earning extended accreditation from The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. MSUB also received a glowing report on its Seven Year Mission Fulfillment and Sustainability Evaluation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
MSUB’s two-year campus, City College, received Montana Governor’s Emergency Education Relief grant funding for several health and trades programs that support new workforce-based programming with a remote learning component. Sole project funding was awarded for the Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program in the amount of $30,766.
City College, together with Great Falls College and Gallatin College, received $180,000 in total funding for the OneMSU Workforce Consortium on Respiratory Therapy. In addition, a statewide project for Construction Technology with partners Gallatin College, Great Falls College and Missoula College yielded $150,000 in funding.
|
|
|
|
Helena College
HELENA — 2020 was a year of new challenges and opportunities at Helena College. The fortitude and resilience shown by employees and students alike is immeasurable. All played a role in making the year work and in helping the Helena College community progress in new and sometimes unforeseen ways.
Helena College will enter the new year with new leadership following the recent confirmation of Dr. Sandra Bauman as Dean and CEO following the departure of Dr. Laura Vosejpka, who returned to her family in Michigan.
Helena College more than doubled the total number of applications received during College Application week in Fall 2020. This year also brough the launch of a co-admission partnership with Carroll College with a guarantee of at least $18,000 in gift-based aid for students who graduate from Helena College and go on to Carroll College.
 Despite the impacts of COVID on K-12 schools, Helena College’s dual enrollment numbers were strong for 2020 with an increase in registered students. In addition, Career and Technical Education opportunities were promoted to eighth-through twelfth-grade students at several successful pre-COVID events with approximately 200 area families in attendance to learn about manufacturing and transportation career opportunities.
Meanwhile, the number of students enrolled in online professional certificate programs increased by 30 percent. Business & Accounting Programs were moved to an enhanced online experience to allow better access for working adults.
Helena College also did an intense program review and revamp of its Fire and Rescue Program in 2020, which led to the creation of two new credentials in Fire and Emergency Services. The credentials are stackable, meaning students in a trades program can seamlessly transition to a bachelor’s program, giving students training and education that is in high demand in the Fire and Emergency Services industry.
2020 saw the hiring of an additional instructor in the College’s Automotive Technology Program thanks to support of work-based learning opportunities by industry partners. Revamped last year, the program collaborates with local industry partners who hire Helena College students while they are studying, giving them the opportunity to earn as they learn.
In other news on the teaching front, Sociology Instructor Kim Feig was named a 2020-2021 Montana University System Regents Teaching Scholar.
Helena College’s Continuing Education program offered 70 enrichment and certification courses serving 665 students. More than 90 pieces of art were submitted to Helena College’s 2020 juried art show. The theme for the art show was “SHIFT,” a term that evokes ideas about movement, change and temporality. Thirty-six submissions were chosen to be displayed in the Helena College's art show at the Holter Museum.
2020 saw the Helena College Foundation hold its first GivingTuesday Campaign, resulting in funding for more than 40 need-based scholarships in one day.
Helena College received $435,199 from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund to deliver and expand programs in Computer Technology, Licensed Practical Nursing, Commercial Driver’s Licensing Testing, and Hybrid Electric Vehicle Training. The College assisted students with over 500 emergency fund grants totaling more than $350,000,
|
|
|
|
|
|
