Sent September 15, 2026

Dear MSU Community,

I am pleased today to announce the launch of a national search for our next Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost.

As the university's chief academic officer, the Provost provides leadership for MSU's academic mission and strategic priorities. This position plays a critical role in advancing Montana State University's land-grant mission and shaping the future of our institution, including the success of our faculty and students.

The following individuals will form our search committee:

  • Terry Leist, Vice President for Administration & Finance (Chair)
  • Doug Downs, Chair of Faculty Senate and Professor English
  • Emma Hoegh, Chair of Staff Senate and Nurse Practitioner, Student Health
  • Ben Wilson, President, Associated Students of Montana State University
  • Hossein Khadivar, Ph.D. Student, Environmental Engineering. 
  • Emily Edwards, Director, Advising Commons
  • Sarah Miller, Senior HR Business Partner
  • Michelle Haught, Director of the MSIM Program and Instructor, Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship
  • Abigail (Abbie) Richards, Professor, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering
  • Dustin Perry, Professor, Agricultural and Technology Education, College of Agriculture.
  • Valerie Copie, Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry, College of Letters & Science
  • Elizabeth (Liz) Shanahan, Professor, Political Science, College of Letters & Science
  • Sarah Maki, Associate Dean, Gallatin College
  • Margaret (Marg) Hammersla, Assistant Professor, Mark & Robyn Jones College of Nursing
  • Melissa Ragain, Professor of Art, College of Arts & Architecture
  • Michelle Grocke-Dewey, Department Head and Professor of Human Development and Community Health, College of Education, Health and Human Development
  • Nick Childs, Associate Professor of Physics, Honors College
  • Jodi Allison-Bunnell, Head of Archives and Special Collections, MSU Library
  • Meredith Hecker, Department Head, Native American Studies
  • Sally Mudiamu, Dean, Office of International Programs
  • Michaela Bader, Associate Vice President of Development for Academic Units, MSU Alumni Foundation
  • Chuck Winn, City Manager, City of Bozeman (Community Representative)

MSU has partnered with AGB Search to assist with this national recruitment effort. As part of the search process, the university community is invited to participate in upcoming listening sessions that will help inform the leadership profile and identify the opportunities, challenges, and qualities most important for our next Provost. Input gathered during these sessions will guide the search committee and consultants as they recruit and evaluate candidates.

Campus Listening Sessions
Monday, September 21

Faculty
1:00-1:45 p.m.
Strand Union Building, Room 235

Campus Community (Faculty, Staff, and Students)
3:00-3:45 p.m.
Strand Union Building, Room 235

Those unable to attend a listening session also have an opportunity to provide feedback through an online survey.

Thank you in advance for your engagement in this important process. The success of Montana State University depends on the collective voices and perspectives of our community, and we encourage you to participate as we seek an exceptional leader to help guide the future of MSU.

Sincerely,

Brock Tessman
President, Montana State University