Major Exploration Advising

Dr. Michael Morrow obtained his Ph.D. in Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Biology from the University of Pittsburgh (2001) where he studied protein secretion in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. At Montana Western, Dr. Morrow and his undergraduate student researchers are studying some of the proteins that play roles in the early secretory pathway of the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans. Since protein secretion is important for this organism to cause infection, a better understanding of the machinery involved in protein secretion could lead to the identification of future drug targets to prevent and treat Candida infections. In addition to this research focus, Dr. Morrow is also interested in applied microbiology projects including a new project that is investigating the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes in E. coli strains isolated from local streams and rivers in an effort to determine if wild E. coli populations could act as a reservoir for antibiotic resistance in bacterial populations. Dr. Morrow regularly teaches Discover Biology (BIOB101), Principles of Living Systems (BIOB160), Cellular and Molecular Biology (BIOB260), General Microbiology (BIOM260) and Advanced Cellular and Molecular Biology (BIOB425). Using Montana Western’s unique block scheduling allows Dr. Morrow to utilize many block-long research projects in his classes to provide students with hands on practical experience with many modern cell/molecular and microbiological techniques. Outside of school, Dr. Morrow enjoys backpacking, hiking, hunting and ice hockey (Let’s Go Pens!).

Kurt W. Steadman, J.D., is currently an associate professor of business at the University of Montana Western. He has taught at UMW for approximately five years. Steadman teaches risk management and insurance, entrepreneurship, small business development and management. Prior to coming to Montana Western, he practiced law for several years, including business law, litigation, real estate, contracts, criminal and family law. He has also owned and managed a residential construction company for over 10 years. The company has built many custom homes, spec homes and apartments.

In his free time Kurt enjoys spending time with his family in the outdoors whether it be hiking, fishing, biking, swimming in mountain lakes, hunting or camping. He enjoys competing in triathlons with his family, even though he loses to them most of the time.

Educational background:

Mathematics and Education K-12. Taught high school and middle school. Continues to teach online secondary mathematics. Currently the Education Department Chair

Advising:

Elementary, Mathematics and Secondary Education, Teaching Certificate

Bio:

Shay Kidd is happily married since 2008 and the father of 5.  This helps to keep him connected to the education system on multiple levels.  Getting his bachelors in Secondary mathematics at BYU-Idaho (2009), he started his career teaching at the high school level. This is also when he started to teach online with Idaho’s online school.  After earning his master’s degree from the University of Texas -Arlington in K-8 mathematics education, Shay moved to Wyoming and taught middle school (2012).  He was then accepted at the University of Wyoming in 2015 where he earned his PhD. In Curriculum and Instruction: Mathematics Education. He started at the University of Montana-Western in 2017 and has been teaching mathematics methods ever since.  He currently serves as the education department chair.

Laura A. Wright earned her BA degrees in English and Drama at the University of Montana and completed her MA and PhD at the University of Connecticut.  Her research interests include multiethnic literatures of the United States, graphic narrative, and dystopian literature.  In the classroom, she encourages students to challenge dominant cultural narratives by reading with and against materials, and to speak back to these narratives with materials of their own.

Her book manuscript, “Prizing Difference: PEN Awards and Multiculturalist Politics in American Fiction,” examines the intersection of national prizes for the novel with discourses surrounding multiculturalism from the 1930s to the present. She has received a fellowship from the University of Connecticut Humanities Institute and archival fellowships from the libraries at the University of Virginia and Princeton University in support of this project.  She enjoys spending time hiking and fishing in the Montana outdoors.

In Arica’s courses students explore how human activities interact with the natural world and learn how to develop sustainable solutions that protect and enhance natural resources. Whether hiking to an alpine lake, attending a local watershed meeting, conducting an interview, or writing a report, students are engaged in practicing their professional pursuits. Students learn how to analyze data, how to craft clear and compelling arguments, and how to effectively work in teams to problem-solve real-life environmental challenges throughout the Greater Yellowstone and High Divide regions. With specific training in GIS, conflict resolution, and communication, students develop skills that will serve them beyond the classroom.

Arica is an Associate Professor of Environmental Sustainability. Arica specializes in water management, human dimensions of global change, and science communication. She draws on her interdisciplinary education – a B.A. in Environmental Science, a M.S. in Hydrology, and a Ph.D. in Human-Environment Geography – to integrate both physical and social science skills in her own research and in her courses.

Courses include:

• Environmental Sustainability
• Sustaining Water Resources
• Natural Resources Conflict Resolution
• Environmental Interpretation
• Environmental Education
• Environmental Remote Sensing and GIS
• Environmental Policy
• Sustainable Natural Resources Management
• Human Dimensions of Global Change

Arica’s research seeks to enhance water resources for local needs and create more just transitions to renewable energy. In Montana, Arica is working with her students to study social perceptions of water quality and contamination in the Upper Clark Fork River Watershed.

In Nepal, Arica studies how hydropower development in mountain river basins impacts river flows and the people who depend on them. Arica connects her science with decision-makers to ensure these hydropower projects work for, not against, rural mountain communities.

Megan is a 2010 graduate of Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine.  In 2010, she joined a primarily equine veterinary practice in Corvallis, MT and worked as an Associate Veterinarian in the practice for 5 years.  Megan moved to the Dillon area in the fall of 2015 to take a position at the University of Montana Western as an Assistant Professor of Equine Studies.  She is honored for the opportunity to be part of Montana Western’s equine education program and bring practical experience to the students.

Ruth King, Associate Professor of Glass, manages both the Glass program at Montana Western and the Mary Baker Emerick Art Studio.

She came to Montana Western after a nine-year tenure as Artistic Director of Pilchuck Glass school where her artistic vision lead the nonprofit school firmly into the digital age with summer courses that combined glass with animation, 3D rendering and other new media.

At Pilchuck, Ruth also coordinated several residency programs and helped curate the annual gala auction and scholarship awards. Ruth has also taught in several renowned glass programs at Alfred University, Ohio State University, California College of the Arts and Rhode Island School of Design.

She received her MFA from Rhode Island School of Design and her BFA magna cum laude from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia. Ruth has lectured, taught and demonstrated at conferences and schools all over the world.

Dr. Megan Chilson has been teaching in higher education for over 20 years, where her expertise has been in PE/Health Pedagogy and Whole Brain Learning.  She has taught in Idaho, New Mexico, Colorado, and now in Montana where she is a Professor in the Health & Human Performance Program at the University of Montana Western.  She has given workshops locally and nationally on how to incorporate movement into the classroom to enhance learning and increase retention. She has served on the Idaho, New Mexico, Colorado and Montana SHAPE America boards (formerly AAHPERD), most recently as the President of Northwest District SHAPE America. Courses Taught Methods of Secondary Health Enhancement, Methods of Adapted Physical Education, Methods and Instructional Strategies of Elementary PE, Methods of Health Education, Dance & Rhythm Methods & Techniques

Joseph received a B.S. in Mathematics and a B.S. in Physics from Utah State University, and a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Utah. Joseph enjoys helping students succeed in their classes by facilitating engaging discussions, mentoring research experiences and utilizing hands-on applications in his teaching. Joseph’s research interests are in modeling biological systems with a focus on spatial ecology.