Office of the Provost
The University of Montana Western
710 S. Atlantic Street
Dillon, MT 59725
Tel: 406-683-7035
Location: Main Hall 211
Provost: Dr. Estee Aiken
E-mail: [email protected]
A Message from Provost Dr. Estee Aiken
The University of Montana Western is a place unlike any other. The uniqueness of our university extends beyond our innovative block schedule to our tailored programs and personal relationships. At UMW, students can see and be seen. Through our immersive, experiential programs, students dive deep into content in concentrated class—they see new perspectives and different ideas that lead to academic and personal growth. Our students are seen by caring, knowledgeable faculty who meet students where they are and take them farther than they thought they could go. Our co-curricular opportunities from athletics to arts, student government to clubs all allow our students to engage in the rich, tight-knit campus community that is UMW. We’re not just special because of what we offer and how we offer it; we’re special because of the students who choose to learn and grow here. It is my distinct honor and pleasure to serve as the Interim Provost at such a dynamic university.
University Links
Statement on Student Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence
Year Seven Self-Evaluation Report
State Authorization & Licensure Disclosures
Academic Road Map – A Living Document
Biography
Dr. Aiken earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Macalester College, in St. Paul, Minnesota, followed by a Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary School from Colorado College. She earned her Doctor of Education in Education Studies from the University of Northern Colorado.
Dr. Aiken serves as Montana Western’s Dean of Strategic Initiatives overseeing the School of Outreach, the Office of Sponsored Programs, and university accreditation efforts. Before her role as Dean, she served as the Division Chair of Education at Montana Western, where she was a tenured professor. She has also been actively involved at the state level in roles including Montana Council of Deans of Education, Montana University System Teacher Scholar 2022-23, past President of the Montana Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, and President of the Montana Association of Gifted and Talented Education. In her current role, Dr. Aiken is involved in many state-wide initiatives to address dual-enrollment efforts, workforce preparation, undergraduate research, policy development, and artificial intelligence. She is a founding and current board member of the Odyssey Early Learning Center. Additionally, Dr. Aiken has a wide variety of experience in grants authorship and project management and has published several peer reviewed publications.