Featured Staff Member

Stevens

Hannah Stevens - Bobcat Athletics

I started at MSU in July of this year as the Director of Marketing and Game Operations.  Before I came to Bozeman, I was in Dallas, Texas earning my Masters Degree in Sports Management at Southern Methodist University.  I have a passion for everything sports and love going to live games!  I am fortunate to work all Bobcat sporting events and contribute to the overall fan experience.  I have never seen a support system like we have here in Bozeman.  I look forward to many more successful seasons to come!

New and Old Buildings Breathe Life Into Campus

In the past two months, we have seen the birth and renovation of multiple buildings across the campus generating new facilities for students, faculty, and staff.

In 2005, the university launched an ambitious project: creating a campus home to support MSU's growing number of American Indian Students. On Oct 16, 2021, this dream was fullfilled. Incorporating architectural concepts by MSU alumnus Dennis Sun Rhodes of the Northern Arapahoe, the American Indian Hall is both a work of art and an educational resource.

With dedicated spaces for study, collaboration and ceremony, the hall is home to MSU’s Department of Native American Studies and the American Indian/Alaska Native Student Success Services office, which serves over 800 Native students and provides important resources like academic advising, tutoring, counseling, advocacy, and more.

But the hall is more than an academic and cultural space. It’s a place for Native students to find a home away from home—a place to laugh and share meals, to speak openly and honestly and find support from faculty, students, and staff with shared experiences.

During Homecoming week in 2017, MSU unvelied its 20-year Athletics Facilities Master Plan. On October 8, 2021, the first step of Phase 1, the Bobcat Athletic Complex, was officially opened providing quality weightlifting, training, and rehabilitive facilities for MSU athletes.

In April 2019, the Montana Legislature approved $25 million for the renovation and repurposing of Romney Hall, funding the university had sought for nearly a decade. With these funds, Romney was transformed from a marginally useable building with only four classrooms to a pivotal academic building with 17 classrooms and more than 1,000 classroom seats. It will house the MSU Writing Center, the new Math and Stat Center, and expanded centers for the Travis W. Atkins Support Center for Veterans and the Office of Disability Services. This will be a building that nearly every MSU student will use for generations to come.
MSU continues to grow and propser while providing staff, students, and faculty exceptional teaching, learning, and work spaces. If you look around, you can feel the innovation, collaboration, and connection in every building. It truly has been an incredible fall here at MSU.  

Giving Thanks Can Make You Happier

By Harvard Medical School Postgraduate Medical Education

Each holiday season comes with high expectations for a cozy and festive time of year. However, for many this time of year is tinged with sadness, anxiety, or depression. Certainly, major depression or a severe anxiety disorder benefits most from professional help. But what about those who just feel lost or overwhelmed or down at this time of year? Research (and common sense) suggests that one aspect of the Thanksgiving season can actually lift the spirits, and it's built right into the holiday — being grateful.

The word gratitude is derived from the Latin word gratia, which means grace, graciousness, or gratefulness (depending on the context). In some ways, gratitude encompasses all of these meanings. Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives. In the process, people usually recognize that the source of that goodness lies at least partially outside themselves. As a result, being grateful also helps people connect to something larger than themselves as individuals — whether to other people, nature, or a higher power.

In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.

Get To Know Your Council Members

Breen

Stephanie Breen - MSU Library, LRS-Learning and Research Services, Front Desk

Stephanie started working for the MSU Library as an over-traditional-age student in 1992 and never looked back. There was a short gap in service after she graduated, but she came back and has worked as classified staff in the library for 22 years. Her job responsibilities have grown along with her library and institutional knowledge. Her main responsibilities in the library are holds, searches, fines, some collection maintenance, student supervisor, and other work and projects as assigned.

Stephanie enjoys live music, movies, gardening, birding, reading, and writing. She rings English Handbells in 3 choirs, plays the piano, and is learning to play the guitar. She volunteers as a DJ at KGLT on the MSU campus. Stephanie also enjoys her two cats, Maxwell and Penny Lane (named after Beatles songs, of course).

Stephanie was elected to MSU All Staff Council in the Spring of 2020 and serves on the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC).

Brill

Kristin Brill - University Human Resources

I started my career in University Human Resources in September of 2018 as an HR Associate, then shortly after took on the position of Senior HR Associate, and have since become an HR Generalist, servicing a variety of departments with recruitment assistance and other HR related subjects. In my position, I have been grateful enough to work with many wonderful MSU staff and faculty members to enhance diversity and bring new employees, and therefore new perspectives, to our campus. In 2019, I was elected to the MSU All Staff Council to serve on the Governance Committee, and have thoroughly enjoyed my time collaborating with others to advocate for members of our staff. Outside of work, I love hiking the local trails, baking and cooking new recipes, and learning new languages.

Brown

Julie Brown - Campus Planning, Design, and Construction

My name is Julie Brown and I work for University Services as the Contract Administrator. I have been at MSU for over three years and prepare contracts and agreements for everything from carpeting to new buildings. MSU is a fascinating place to work, and my day is full of change.

The most fullfillment I have found at MSU is volunteering for the commencement ceremonies. The joy you see in the graduates, families, and friends' faces is indescribable. It takes each and every one of us at MSU to help each graduate across the stage. 

When not at work, I live outside Manhattan with my horse, two donkeys, two dogs, and eight cats. Yes, there is a crazy cat lady working at MSU. I ride my horse and one of my donkeys as often as the weather permits. My other donkey is young and in training. When I am not working with my animals, you can find me quilting or gardening. 

What is Safe Cats?

Safe Cats is available for free in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app features multiple services which can be accessed with a click and the services can differ based on the demand:

  • An emergency button to dial 911.
  • Friend Walk- allows users to send their location in real-time to a friend who can watch and make sure they arrive at their desired location safely.
  • MSU CARE Alert- allows users to report persons of concern if they consider the situation to be non-emergency. Find the care alert form here:https://www.montana.edu/deanofstudents/care/index.html
  • Silent Witness- allows users to report anonymously to University Police either by calling or writing a message.
  • Emergency Actions- allows users to review plans for incidents such as active shooters, chemical spills, medical emergencies and extreme weather.
  • Safety Toolbox- allows users to share their location, access the flashlight feature on a phone, or send an “I’m OK” message to loved ones in case of an emergency.
  • Suicide Crisis- allows users to call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
  • Support Resources- allows users to access common support tools such as the Academic Advising Center, medical services, mental health counseling, the VOICE Center, MSU Parking Services and the Office of Institutional Equity.
  • Safety Escort- allows users to call MSU Police to request an escort to an on-campus location.
  • MSU Alert Information- is a notification system to deliver critical information to MSU students, faculty and staff in the event of an emergency. 
  • Campus Maps- allows users to access their location on interactive maps of MSU.