Directory Information

Administration

Senior Administration

Michael Reid, M.B.A.
Chancellor
michael.reid@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7151

Estee Aiken, Ed.D.
Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
estee.aiken@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7115

Tia Brown, M.B.A.
Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance
tia.brown@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7999

Deans and Directors

Estee Aiken, Ed.D.
Dean of Strategic Initiatives
estee.aiken@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7035

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, B.S., Grad.C.
Director, Information Technology
mel.ewing@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7382

TBA
Director, Athletics 
@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7391

Mike Piazzola, M.Ed.
Dean of Students
mike.piazzola@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7565

Ronda Kiewatt
Interim Director, Dining Services
ronda.kiewatt@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7228

Leslie Johnson, M.Ed.
Instructional Designer, ITS/eLearning
leslie.johnson@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7227

Jaime Ochoa, M.S.B.A.
Senior Director, Enrollment Management/Registrar
jaime.ochoa@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7471

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

Ethan Powell M.B.A.
Director, Business Services/Controller
ethan.powell@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7530

Charity Walters, M.O.L.
Director, Institutional Research
charity.walters@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7213

Ravaela Acevedo-Field, Ph.D.
Director, Library/Electronia Resources Librarian
rafaela.acevedofield@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7494

Academic Division Chairs

Academic Department Chairs

Michael Morrow, Ph.D.
Department Chair, Biology
michael.morrow@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7254

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

Shay Kidd, Ph.D.
Division Chair, Education
shay.kidd@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7044

Laura Wright, Ph.D.
Department Chair, English
laura.wright@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7431

Neil Foley, Ph.D.
Department Chair, Environmental Sciences
neil.foley@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-70366

Megan Kelly, D.V.M.
Department Chair, Equine Studies
megan.kelly@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7330

Ruth King, M.F.A.
Co-Department Chair, Fine Arts
ruth.king@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7344

Stephen Seder, M.F.A
Co-Department Chair, Fine Arts
stephen.seder@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7038

Janelle Handlos, Ed.D.
Department Chair, Health & Human Performance
janelle.handlos@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7392

Jessica Fowler, Ph.D. 
Department Chair, History, Philosophy, & Social Sciences
jessica.fowler@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7292

Eric Wright, Ph.D.
Department Chair, Mathematics
eric.wright@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7274

Athletic Head Coaches

John (JT) Robbins, 
Head Coach, Men’s/Women’s Rodeo
john.robbins1@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7001

TBA
Head Coach, Men’s Basketball
@umwestern.edu, (406) 546-5556

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

Alexis Loucks
Head Coach, Cheer
alexis.loucks@umwestern.edu

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

Ryan Sullivan
Head Coach, Women’s Basketball
ryan.sullivan@umwestern.edu, (406) 480-0614

Taylor Grove, M.N.A., M.S.M.
Head Coach, Cross Country
taylor.grove@umwestern.edu, (406) 697-3675

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

BILLINGS, CHRISTIAN GRANT (2025)
Assistant Professor of Psychology
B.A., The College of Idaho, 2018
M.S., University of Idaho, 2021
Ph.D., University of Idaho, 2025
grant.billings@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7547

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

BORGE, KRISTI (2024)
Instructor of Education
B.S., Montana State University, 2010
M.Ed., Montana State University 2016
Ed.D., Walden University, expected fall 2025
kristi.borge@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7040

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

CARNES, LORRAINE (LORRIE) (2024)
Assistant Professor of Environmental Science
B.S., Lehigh University, 2016
Ph.D., Arizona State University, 2024
lorraine.carnes@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7134

CASHMORE, AARON (2016)
Instructor of Education, NTT
B.S., The University of Montana Western
M.Ed., University of Montana, 2021
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, NTT
B.A., Northwestern University, 1990
M.F.A., University of Montana, 1996
sally.cobau@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7105

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

ELSE, IOLA V. (1988)
Instructor of Equine Studies, NTT
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

FOLEY, NEIL (2021)
Associate Professor of Environmental Geophysics
B.A., Carleton College, 2010                           
Ph.D., University of California Santa Cruz, 2020
neil.foley@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7366


FOWLER, JESSICA (2020)
Associate Professor of History
B.A., Appalachian State University, 2007
M.A., University of Georgia, 2009
Ph.D., University of California Davis, 2015
jessica.fowler@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7292

FRANK, NICOLLETTE (2025)
Assistant Professor of Education, NTT
B.A., University of Montana 2015
M.Ed., Plymouth State University, 2016
Ph.D., University of Georgia, 2023
nicollette.frank@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7636

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) 683-7041

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

GRIFFITHS, MIKEL (2013)
Instructor of Health & Human Performance, NTT
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

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

HENRIS, JOHN (2024)
Associate Professor of History
B.S., Black Hills State University, 2001
M.A., Slippery Rock University, 2002
Ph.D., The University of Akron, 2009
john.henris@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7291

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

JANUS, BOLESLAW (BILL) (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, NTT
B.S., Brigham Young University, 1986
M.B.A., University of Montana (2011)
leeann.jenne@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7205

KIDD, SHAY (2017)
Associate 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

MASTANDREA, EVA (1989)
Professor of Art
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
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, NTT
B.A., Boston College, 1989
M.S., Simmons College, 1997
deborah.mccabe@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7619

MILLER-GORDER,ADRYAN (2025)
Assistant Professor of Theatre, NTT
B.F.A., University of Montana, 2015
M.F.A., Carnegie Mellon University, 2019 
adryan.millergorder@umwestern.edu, (406) 546-6469

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

RICHARDSON, KYLE (2022)
Assistant Professor of Biology
B.Sc., Montana Technological University, 2010
M.Sc., Montana Technological University, 2012
Ph.D., Massey University, NZ, 2015
kyle.richardson@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7358

ROCHESTER, RICK (2023)
Associate Professor of Business
B.A., University of California Davis, 1985
J.D., McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, 1991
rick.rochester@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7328

SCHUETT, DAVID E. (2025)
Assistant Professor Business & Technolgy
D.V.M., Iowa State University, 1982
david.schuett@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7403

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

SEACREST, TYLER (2011)
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

SEDER, STEPHEN (2021)
Assistant Professor of Theatre
B.A., University of Montana, 2014
B.F.A., University of Montana, 2014
M.F.A., Goddard College, 2020
stephen.seder@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7038

SHIPMAN, KATHY (2006)
Instructor of Education, NTT; 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

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

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

WOLPERN, ALI (2021)
Associate Professor of Health & Human Performance
B.A., Western Colorado University, 2014
M.S., University of Utah, 2017
Ph.D., University of Utah, 2021
ali.wolpern@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7337

WOOD, BRADLEY (2021)
Associate Professor of Biology
B.A., Louisiana State University, 2011
B.S., Louisiana State University, 2011
M.A., Louisiana State University, 2013
Ph.D., Louisiana State University, 2019
bradley.wood@umwestern.edu, (406) 683-7397

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

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

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

KIRKLEY, JOHN S. “JACK”
(1985-2021)
Professor of Biological Science Emeritus

KRANK, MARK
(1994-2019)
Professor of Psychology/Education 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

RIDENOUR, WENDY M.
(2019-2025)
Professor of Biology 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

STRAUS, LAURA  P.
(2007-2024)
Professor of Education (Literacy) Emeritus

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

TIKALSKY, FRANK
(1977-1992)
Professor of Psychology 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