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.

Dr. Neil Foley teaches classes in Physics and Environmental Geophysics at Montana Western. He emphasizes cross-disciplinary connections (for example, the similarities between geophysical techniques and biomedical imaging) to engage students from Western’s many departments. A geologist by background and disposition, he loves to apply physics in the field, especially using Western’s new Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) system. Our ERT is a research-grade system that is the same as used by land management agencies, civil engineers, and professional scientists. Students in Neil’s classes learn theory, practice, and effective communication of geophysical techniques.

He earned a BA in Geology from Carleton College, in Minnesota. His Ph.D. work, at University of California, Santa Cruz, focused on using geophysical techniques to image beneath permafrost and glaciers in the cryosphere. The bulk of this work was done over three seasons in Antarctica, but he also has done field campaigns to Artic Alaska, Iceland, and a research cruise in the Pacific Ocean.

For fun, Neil enjoys taking advantage of the natural beauty of Southwest Montana, especially by hiking and biking. Indoors, he loves to cook and play board games.

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.

Stephen is an interdisciplinary theatre and media artist who focuses on performance creation, dialect training, somatic engagement, immersive design, and storytelling. He has upheld a versatile career for over 10 years and continues to maintain a vibrant creative practice in both theatre and film. As a Certified Meisner Teacher through the globally based Meisner Institute, he interacts with theatre educators from all over the world. He also holds a Consent-Forward Artist Certificate from the Intimacy Directors and Coordinators organization.

Previously, Stephen was an adjunct instructor of theatre for Carroll College. For ten years, he performed with the Virginia City Players (a Melodrama and Vaudeville playhouse in southern Montana). He has worked for companies such as the Post Playhouse, Myrna Loy Center, Helena Theatre Company, Grandstreet Theatre, Blue Slipper Theatre, Billings Studio Theatre, and Gateway Playhouse. Some of his prior work in film includes A24’s The Ballad of Lefty Brown, TEDx Carroll College, TEDx University of Montana Western, and Laura, Lost winner of the 2016 ToHorror Film Festival in Italy. His recent short film Runaways premiered at the 2023 Wyoming International Film Festival. It was also selected for screening at the 307 International Film Festival, and South Carolina Underground Film Festival.

Stephen earned his Master of Fine Arts from Goddard College where he studied Interdisciplinary Arts. His praxis in performance creation explores the intersections of somatic engagement, social justice, feminism, disability, and trauma.
Outside of theatre, Stephen owns his own film production company called SederMedia LLC where he creates short films, corporate promotions, and other photography services.

Advising Information

I serve as an advisor for Kinesiology and Physical Education & Health K-12 students as well as those completing minors in Coaching or Strength & Conditioning.

My Canvas advising page provides you with information about your program and links/instructions for many of the resources you’ll need to plan your schedule and register for courses.

I invite you to stop by my office anytime to say hello, check-in, or ask questions. Please schedule an appointment each semester for your advising appointment to ensure we have time to address all of your concerns. Before your advising appointment, be sure to review your degree progress in DegreeWorks to determine what courses you have left and develop a tentative schedule.

Biography

A native of south-central Washington state, I moved to Dillon to attend Western Montana College during the 1900s 😊. I earned my education and athletic training credentials at WMC and then following grad school in Bozeman I jumped at the opportunity to return to Montana Western to begin my career as an athletic trainer and instructor.

After 14 years working in both athletics and academics, I moved into a full-time teaching position in the Department of Health & Human Performance where I teach courses in topics ranging from first aid to health education to human anatomy. I spend my time off campus coaching track and field, working with local organizations on health and safety issues, watching sports with my family, and running with my dogs.

Eric Wright earned his B.S. in Physics and Mathematics from Colorado State University, and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from the University of Colorado.  He has taught at the University of Montana Western since 2005.  Dr. Wright’s background is in the analysis of partial differential equations that are used to model reactive transport. Some of the direct-contact projects Wright and his students participate in include modeling the formation of calcite rimstone dams and studying reactive influences upon Taylor dispersion. More recently, his interests have broadened to include probability modeling, data analysis, and the overlap between classical geometry and pre-industrial, artisanal design.