Directory Information

Administration

Senior Administration

Michael Reid, M.B.A.
Vice Chancellor for Administration, Finance, & Student Affairs
michael.reid@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7151

Ashley Carlson, Ph.D. 
Fall 2021 Interim Provost; Vice Chancellor for Academic & Student Affairs
ashley.carlson@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7115

Tricia Fiscus, M.A.
Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance
tricia.fiscus@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7031

Susan Briggs, B.A.
Fall 2021 Interim Vice Chancellor for Administration, Finance, & Student Affairs
susan.briggs@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7031

Deans and Directors

Matt Allen, M. Ed.
Director, Admissions
matt.allen@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7450

Bethany Hauer, M.A.
Director, Student Success
bethany.hauer@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7311

Louise Driver, B.B.A.
Director, Financial Aid
louise.driver@umwestern.edu (406) 683-7145

Roxanne Engellant, B.S.
Director, Foundation/Alumni
roxanne.engellant@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7305

Mel Ewing
Director, Information Technology
mel.ewing@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7382

Michael Feuling
Director, Athletics, Management, BARC 
michael.feuling@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7509

Janelle Handlos, Ed.D
Interim Director, Athletics, Management, BARC Fall 2021
janelle.handlos@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7509

Nicole Hazelbaker, M.B.A.
Dean of Students; Director, Disability Services; Title IX Co-Coordinator
nicole.hazelbaker@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7565

Anne Kish, M.L.I.S
Director, Lucy Carson Library
anne.kish@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7228

Justin Mason, M.L.I.S.
Director, eLearning & Academic Technology
justin.mason@umwestern.edu (406) 683-7536

Tara Jones, B.S.
Director, Dining Services
@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7228

Robert Micken, B.S.
Director, TRiO SSS Program
robert.micken@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7332

Heidi Peterson, LCPC
Director, Student Counseling and Wellness
heidi.peterson@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7177

Mike Piazzola, M. Ed.
Senior Director, Auxiliary Services
mike.piazzola@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7664

Matt Raffety, M.F.A.
Director, Communications
matt.raffety@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7664

Debi Richardson, 
Director, Business Services/Controller
debra.richardson@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7530

Anneliese Ripley, Ed.D.
Dean, Outreach; Director, Research and Grants
anneliese.ripley@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7537

Charity Walters, M.O.L.
Registrar; Director, Institutional Research
charity.walters@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7471

Academic Division Chairs

Academic Department Chairs

Michael Gilbert, Ph.D.
Department Chair, Biology
michael.gilbert@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7358

Kurt Steadman J.D.
Department Chair, Business & Technology
kurt.steadman@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7183

Athletic Head Coaches

John (JT) Robbins, 
Head Coach, Men’s/Women’s Rodeo
@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7539

Michael Larsen, M.Ed.
Head Coach, Men’s Basketball
michael.larsen1@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7341

Katie Lovett, M.B.A.
Head Coach, Volleyball
Katie.Lovett@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7444

Tricia Mock
Head Coach, Cheer
patricia.obenauer@umwestern.edu, (406) 853-8421

Ryan Nourse, M.A.
Head Coach, Football
ryan.nourse@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7421

Vacant
Assistant Director, Athletics
@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7220

Lindsay Woolley, M.A.
Head Coach, Women’s Basketball
lindsay.woolley@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7317

Dylan Zitzer
Head Coach, Cross Country
dylan.zitzer@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7318

Faculty

ANDERSON, MICHELLE (2009)
Professor of Biology
B.S., University of New Hampshire, 1998
Ph.D., University of Montana, 2008
michelle.anderson@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7076

BLANKENSHIP, BETHANY (2005)
Professor of English
B.A., Hollins University, 1994
M.A., University of Arkansas, 1996
Ph.D., Washington State University, 2005
bethany.blankenship@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7360

BORROWMAN, SHANE (2011)
Professor of English
B.A.E., Eastern Washington University, 1993
M.A., Eastern Washington University, 1995
M.A., Eastern Washington University, 1996
Ph.D., University of Arizona, 2001
shane.borrowman@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7307

BURKETT, CANDICE (2020)
Assistant Professor of Psychology
B.A. University of Memphis, 2011
M.A. University of Illinois Chicago, 2015
Ph.D. University of Illinois Chicago, 2020
candice.burkett@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7547

CARLSON, ASHLEY (2015)
Professor of English
B.A. Chapman University, 2003
M.A. University of New Mexico, 2005
Ph.D. University of New Mexico, 2011
ashley.carlson@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7209

CASHMORE, AARON (2016)
Instructor of Education
B.S. The University of Montana Western
aaron.cashmore@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7320

CHILSON, MEGAN E. (2007)
Professor of Health & Human Performance
A.A., Ricks College, 1988
B.A., Brigham Young University, 1991
M.S., University of Idaho, 1994
Ed.D., Idaho State University, 2002
megan.chilson@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7336

COBAU, SALLY. (2017)
Assistant Professor of English
B.A., Northwestern University, 1990
M.F.A., University of Montana, 1996
sally.cobau@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7105

CRANDELL, ROCKY (2020)
Instructor of Business
M.Acc., Carroll College
rocky.crandell@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7537

DAENZER, DOUGLAS K. (1993)
Instructor of Computer Science/Math Education
B.A., Concordia College, 1981
M.S., Montana State University, 1987
doug.daenzer@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7271

DYRESON, ERIC G. (2002)
Professor of Mathematics
B.A., New College, 1983
Ph.D., University of Arizona, 1997
eric.dyreson@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7275

EASON, JOSEPH (2017)
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
B.S., Utah State University, 2010
Ph.D. University of Utah, 2017
joseph.eason@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7008

ELLIOT, BRIAN P. (2017)
Associate Professor of English
B.S., Muskingum College, 2000
M.A., Ohio University, 2007
Ph.D., Ohio Univesity, 2011
brian.elliott@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7104

ELSE, IOLA V. (1988)
Instructor of Equine Studies
B.S., Western Montana College, 1973
M.S., University of Montana, 1995
iola.else@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7539

ENGELLANT, KEVIN (1996)
Professor of Business
B.S., Western Montana College of The University of Montana, 1991
M.Ed., University of Montana, 1994
Ed.D., University of Montana, 2014
kevin.engellant@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7404

EUDAILY, SEAN P. (2004)
Professor of Political Science
B.A., Albertson College of Idaho, 1997
M.A., University of Maryland-College Park, 2001
Ph.D., University of Maryland-College Park, 2002
sean.eudaily@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7103

FOWLER, JESSICA (2020)
Assistant Professor of History
B.A., Appalachian State University
M.A., University of Georgia
Ph.D., University of California Davis
jessica.fowler@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7292

FRANCISCONI, MICHAEL J. (1996)
Professor of Anthropology/Sociology
B.S., Boise State University, 1977
M.S., University of Oregon, 1982
Ph.D., University of Oregon, 1995
Michael.francisconi@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7328

FREEMAN, NATHANIEL (2018)
Assistant Professor of Art
B.F.A., University of Montana
M.F.A. Alfred University of School of Art and Design
nathaniel.freeman@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7292

GILBERT, MICHAEL A. (2007)
Professor of Biology/Biochemistry
B.S., California State University, Chico, 1996
Ph.D., University of Montana, 2002
mike.gilbert@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7137

GILDE, CHRISTIAN (2009)
Professor of Business
A.A., Santa Monica College, 1998
B.B.A., Eastern New Mexico University, 2004
M.A., Boston College, 2006
Ph.D., University of Bath, 2011
christian.gilde@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7208

GILLIARD, JENNIFER L. (2001)
Professor of Education
B.A., Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 1989
M.S., The University of Tennessee, 1991
Ph.D., The University of Tennessee, 1993
jen.gilliard@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7177

GOODE, ROB (2013)
Assistant Football Coach and Instructor of Health & Human Performance
B.S., Rockford College, 2005
M.A., Rockford College, 2007
rob.goode@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7345

GRAHAM, BONNIE (2020)
Instructor of Education
bonnie.graham@umwestern.edu

GRIFFITHS, MIKEL (2013)
Instructor of Health & Human Performance
A.A., Idaho State University, 2004
B.S., Idaho State University, 2007
M.P.E., Idaho State University, 2008
mikel.griffiths@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7319

HAAS, HEATHER (2011)
Professor of Psychology
B.S., Rocky Mountain College, 1991
M. Phil., University of St. Andrews, 1992
Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 1999
heather.haas@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7265

HAJDUK, JOHN C. (1997)
Professor of History
B.A., State University of New York-Buffalo, 1981
M.A., State University of New York-Buffalo, 1991
Ph.D., State University of New York-Buffalo, 1995
john.hajduk@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7291

HANDLOS, JANELLE (2001)
Associate Professor of Health & Human Performance
B.S., Western Montana College of The University of Montana, 2000
M.S., Montana State University, 2001
Ed.D., University of Montana, 2014
janelle.handlos@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7392

HOLLAND, DENISE (2001)
Professor of Business
B.S., Western Montana College of The University of Montana, 1998
M.Ed., Lesley University, 2002
Ed.D., Northcentral University, 2014
denise.holland@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7203

HOWARD, VIKKI (2009)
Professor of Education
B.S., University of Idaho, 1979
M.S., Utah State University, 1980
Ph.D., The Ohio State University, 1985
vikki.howard@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7042

HUBER, DEBBIE (2020)
Instructor of Business
B..A. Amherst College, 1991
M.B.A. University of Montana, 2005
debbie.huber@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7207

JANUS, BOLESLAW (1995)
Professor of History
B.A., State University of New York-Buffalo, 1987
M.A., State University of New York-Buffalo, 1991
Ph.D., State University of New York-Buffalo, 1995
bill.janus@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7019

JENNE, LEE ANN (2011)
Instructor of Business
M.B.A. University of Montana (2011)
B.S., Brigham Young University, 1986
leeann.jenne@umwestern.edu (406) 683-7205

JONES, WILLIAM CECIL (1997)
Professor of Business
B.S., University of Georgia, 1978
M.A., Washington State University, 1981
J.D., University of Idaho, 1982
cecil.jones@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7181

KELLY, MEGAN J (2015)
Associate Professor of Equine Studies
B.S., Dickinson State University, 2006
D.V.M., Washington State University, 2010
megan.kelly@umwestern.edu (406) 683-7330

KIDD, SHAY (2017)
Assistant Professor of Math Education
B.S., Brigham Young University, 2009
M.A., University of  Texas, 2012
Ph.D., University of Wyoming, 2017
shay.kidd@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7044

LEVINE, REBEKAH (2014)
Associate Professor of Environmental Sciences
B.A., Williams College, 2003
M.S., Montana State University, Bozeman, 2007
M.S. University of New Mexico, 2011
Ph.D.., University of New Mexico,
rebekah.levine@umwestern.edu(406) 683-7134

MASTANDREA, EVA (1989)
Professor of Art/Education
B.F.A., Montana State University, 1982
M.A., Montana State University, 1989
M.F.A., University of Montana, 1996
eva.mastandrea@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7312

McCABE, BRENT POE (2007)
Professor of Music Education
B.M., Keene State College, 1990
M.M., The Juilliard School, 1992
D.M.A., University of Arizona, 2000
brent.mccabe@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7405

McCABE, DEBORAH (2011)
Instructor of Education
B.A., Boston College, 1989
M.S., Simmons College, 1997
deborah.mccabe@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7619

MORROW, MICHAEL W. (2002)
Professor of Biology
B.S., Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 1995
Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, 2001
michael.morrow@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7254

RED BIRD, NANCI. (2018)
Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education
B.A., University of Montana, 1999
M. Ed., University of Phoenix, 2006
Ed.D., University of Montana, 2014
nanci.redbird@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7046

RIDENOUR, WENDY M. (2010)
Associate Professor of Biology
B.A., University of California, 1987
M.S., University of Montana, 1995
Ph.D., University of Montana, 2006
wendy.ridenour@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7264

SCHOENEMANN, SPRUCE W. (2016)
Associate Professor of Environmental Geochemistry and Climate Science
B.A., Whitman College, 2003
Ph.D., University of Washington, 2015
spruce.schaenemann@umwestern.edu(406) 683-7624

SEACREST, DEBORAH (2011)
Associate Professor of Mathematics
B.S., Harvey Mudd College, 2006
M.S., University of Nebraska, 2008
Ph.D., University of Nebraska, 2011
debbie.seacrest@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7273

SEACREST, TYLER (2011)
Associate Professor of Mathematics
B.S., Harvey Mudd College, 2006
M.S., University of Nebraska, 2008
Ph.D., University of Nebraska, 2011
tyler.seacrest@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7263

SHIPMAN, KATHY (2006)
Instructor of Education; Butte Program Coordinator
B.A., Carroll College, 1993
M.Ed., University of Montana, 2000
kathy.shipman@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7016

STEADMAN, KURT W. (2012)
Professor of Business
B.S., Brigham Young University, 1997
M.B.A., University of Phoenix, 2000
J.D., University of Idaho, 2002
kurt.steadman@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7183

STRAUS, LAURA P. (2007)
Professor of Education (Literacy)
A.B., University of Chicago, 1976
B.S., University of Minnesota, 1979
M.A., Claremont Graduate University, 2006
Ph.D., Claremont Graduate University, 2011
laura.straus@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7040

THOMAS, ROBERT C. (1993)
Professor of Geology
A.A., Chabot Valley College, 1982
B.A., Humboldt State University, 1985
M.S., University of Montana, 1987
Ph.D., University of Washington, 1993
rob.thomas@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7615

ULRICH, JUDY A. (1986)
Professor of Fine Arts/Education
B.F.A., University of Wisconsin-Superior, 1975
M.A., Michigan State University, 1978
Ph.D., Michigan State University, 1988
judy.ulrich@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7422

ULRICH, KARL E. (1987)
Professor of Biological Science
B.A., University of Minnesota, 1975
M.S., Michigan State University, 1979
Ph.D., Michigan State University, 1984
karl.ulrich@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7358

WEINACHT, AARON (2007)
Professor of History
B.A., Ball State University, 2002
M.A., University of Kentucky, 2004
Ph.D., University of Kentucky, 2009
aaron.weinacht@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7359

WOOLLEY, LINDSAY (2012)
Head Women’s Basketball Coach and Instructor of Health & Human Performance
B.A., University of Montana, 2004
M.A., Adams State College, 2012
lindsay.woolley@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7317

WRIGHT, ERIC S. (2006)
Professor of Mathematics
B.S., Colorado State University, 1995
M.S., University of Colorado, 1999
Ph.D., University of Colorado, 2002
eric.wright@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7274

XANTHOPOULOS, JOHN (2001
Professor of Education
B.A., Long Island University, 1977
M.A., New York University, 1978
M.A., University of Miami, 1989
Ph.D., Walden University, 1993
john.xanthopoulos@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7018

ZITZER, DYLAN, (2016)
Head Cross Country and Track Coach and Instructor of Health and Human Performance
B.S.,Concordia University, 2011
M.A.T., Western Governers University, 2015
dylan.zitzer@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7418

Emeriti Faculty

BAILEY, JOHN
(1988-2006)
Assistant Professor of Business Emeritus

BLOCK, DANIEL G.
(1961-1985)
Professor of Biological Science Emeritus

BRIENZA, BARNEY
(1971-2007)
Professor of Art Emeritus

BUSCH, FRANK J.
(1962-1991)
Professor of History Emeritus

CORR, JAMES D.
(1970-1994)
Professor of Art Emeritus

ELSER, GLENDA
(1990-2004)
Assistant Professor of Business Emeritus

GOSNELL, DONALD K.
(1967-1987)
Associate Professor of English Emeritus

HICKETHIER, LARRY
(1966-1991)
Registrar and Assistant Professor of Mathematics Emeritus

HILTON, JEROLD
(1966-1996)
Assistant Professor of History Emeritus

LEITH, LAWRENCE
(1970-1997)
Professor of English Emeritus

LUNDY, GARY J.
(1991-2011)
Professor of English Emeritus

MADDOCK, JANE
(1986-2003)
Professor of English Emeritus

MARINKOVICH, GEORGE T.
(1967-1994)
Assistant Professor of Health & P.E. Emeritus

NELSON, GEORGE H.
(1974-1996)
Director of Student Teaching and Assistant Professor of Education Emeritus

NEWLON, ROBERT E.
(1969-1984)
Professor of Education Emeritus

REITEN, LINDA L.
(1999-2010)
Professor of Education Emeritus

ROBERTS, SHEILA M.
(1995-2016)
Professor of Geology Emeritus

SHERIFF, BONNIE
(1970-2005)
Professor of Health & Human Performance Emeritus

SPUHLER, LEE
(1977-1984)
Professor of Education Emeritus

THOMPSON, E. OTIS
(1979-2004)
Professor of Mathematics Emeritus

TIKALSKY, FRANK
(1977-1992)
Professor of Psychology Emeritus

WALLACE, DONA J.
(1964-1997)
Professor of Health & P.E Emeritus

WALTERS, DONALD L.
(1968-1989)
Professor of Art Emeritus

WELTZIEN, O. ALAN
(1991-2020)
Professor of English Emeritus

ZETLER, ALAN G.
(1970-1985)
Professor of Education Emeritus

Past Chief Executive Officers

DELANEY E. SANDERS, President
1897-1900

GEORGE J. McANDREW, President
1900-1901

HENREY W. SWAIN, President
1901-1912

JOSEPH E. MONROE, President
1912-1918

ESEK RAY MOSHER, Acting President
1918-1919

SHELDON E. DAVIS, President
1919-1946

RUSH JORDAN, President
1946-1956

LAURENCE A. WALKER, Acting President
1956

HERBERT L. STEELE, President
1956-1957

JAMES E. SHORT, President
1957-1976

GEORGE BANDY, Interim President
1976-1978

DALE TASH, Acting President
1978-1979

ROBERT H. THOMAS, President
1979-1985

CARROLL KRAUSE, Acting President
1985

DOUGLAS M. TREADWAY, President
1985-1987

W. MICHAEL EASTON, Provost
1987-1993

SHEILA M. STEARNS, Chancellor
1993-1999

STEPHEN T. HULBERT, Chancellor
1999-2003

KARL E. ULRICH, Interim Chancellor
2003-2004

RICHARD STOREY, Chancellor
2004-2014

ROBERTA EVANS, Interim Chancellor
2014