Comings and Goings
New hires, retirements, departures, and other transitions for members of the campus community. Looking for a recent announcement? Find it in the Comings and Goings archive.
Christina Yoshimura to serve as Interim Dean of the College that includes the Humanities and Social Sciences
Dr. Christina Yoshimura has been appointed Interim Dean of the college that includes the Humanities and Social Sciences. A respected scholar, teacher, and campus leader, Dr. Yoshimura brings more than two decades of experience in higher education to this role at a time of transformation and opportunity for the College.
Dr. Yoshimura is a Professor of Communication Studies (Ph.D., 2004) and Director of Graduate Studies in the Communication Studies department. She recently completed a term as Chair of the UM Faculty Senate, where she helped guide campuswide conversations around academic priorities and shared governance. With an additional role as a licensed clinical professional counselor, she brings a unique interdisciplinary lens to her work that integrates scholarship, teaching, and practice.
Her research focuses on how family systems navigate life’s challenging experiences, including bereavement, interpersonal violence, and mental health diagnoses. Her recent publications examine cross-cultural exchange, father-child socialization, and work-family tensions. She recently completed a several-year leadership role in her discipline’s academic association, culminating in conference planning and the presidency, and she serves on the editorial boards of three major academic journals.
A recipient of both UM’s Distinguished Teaching Award and Most Inspirational Teacher of the Year Award, Dr. Yoshimura is widely known for her student-centered approach to teaching. Her courses explore conflict management, interpersonal neurobiology, and relational communication. She has also developed innovative new classes that investigate how communication unfolds through shared meals and family rituals
In her statement of intent, Dr. Yoshimura writes:
“I am honored to bring my experience and respect for both the social scientific and humanistic intellectual traditions to this year’s collaboration in building a new college. I look forward to working with faculty, students, and staff to develop a strong college identity, one we can communicate proudly within and beyond the university.”
Bruce Bowler to serve as Interim Dean of the College of Science
Dr. Bruce Bowler has been appointed Interim Dean of the new College of Science. A seasoned academic leader, accomplished scientist, and long-serving faculty member at the 91次元, Dr. Bowler brings deep experience in both research infrastructure and student-centered academic development.
Dr. Bowler joined UM in 2006 and currently serves as Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry. He also leads the Center for Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics (CBSD), an NIH-funded research center that supports core instrumentation and faculty research across several departments and colleges. Under his leadership, the CBSD has become a cornerstone of research support on campus, helping to grow grant submissions, secure new equipment, and expand collaborative opportunities in the sciences.
A protein chemist by training, Dr. Bowler’s research focuses on the physical forces that stabilize protein structures and guide folding mechanisms. He has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and has served as principal investigator or co-investigator on grants totaling nearly $16 million since arriving at UM.
Beyond his research contributions, Dr. Bowler has played a leading role in science curriculum development. He spearheaded the creation of UM’s interdepartmental Biochemistry Program in 2009, which launched the state’s first Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry as well as graduate programs in Biochemistry and Biophysics. As director of the program for ten years, he helped expand and refine degree offerings, including a pre-med track that has prepared many students for successful careers in health and medicine.
In addition to mentoring undergraduate researchers and pre-med students, Dr. Bowler has taught a wide range of courses in biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, and structural biology. He has also helped shape institutional research strategy through service on university-wide committees including the University Research and Creativity Committee and the Montana INBRE Executive Committee.
Looking ahead, Dr. Bowler writes:
“I am excited to help establish the new College of Science. In particular, I’m eager to promote our strong academic and research programs in the sciences and to increase awareness of our excellence both within Montana and beyond. My goal is to help drive increased enrollment and opportunity for students across all science disciplines.”
UC Leadership Transition
Student Union Buildings, like UM's University Center, play an important role in the lives of our students, staff, faculty, and community members.
Following the announcement of Adrienne Smith's departure last month, VP for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Leslie Webb is pleased to announce that has accepted the role of Interim UC Director. Shannon鈥檚 long history of working at the University will offer continuity of operations during this transition time. will assume Shannon鈥檚 current role temporarily as Interim Director of Conference & Event Services.聽
In addition to the slate of wonderful work that will take place in the coming semester, the University Center management team will analyze the mission of the UC with a focus on space, scope, and structure.
Following that, VP Webb anticipates launching a national search for the UC Director in spring 2026, with an ideal start date of July 1, 2026 for the next permanent director.
Associate Dean, Chair and Director Changes
Outgoing Associate Deans, Department Chairs and Directors
Many thanks for your service to your academic units and colleges, faculty and staff colleagues and students!聽
- Cheryl Galipeau, Department Chair, Department of Business Technology, Missoula College
- Jessica Dougherty-McMichaels, Department Chair, Department of Applied Arts and Sciences, Missoula College
- Annie Belcourt, Department Chair, Department of Native American Studies, Humanities and Social Sciences
- Isho Tama-Sweet, Department Chair, Departments of Management and Marketing, Managment Information Systems, and Accounting and Finance, College of Business聽
- Jennifer Cavanaugh, Associate Dean and School Director, Schools of Music and Theatre and Dance, College of the Arts and Media
- Ione Crummy, Department Co-Chair, Department of World Languages and Cultures, Humanities and Social Sciences
- Beth Hubble, Program Director, Women, Gender, and Sexual Studies Program, Humanities and Social Sciences
- Ashley Trautman, School Co-Director, School of Social Work
- Donna Beall, Department Co-Chair, Department of Pharmacy Practice
- Tony Crawford, Associate Dean, College of Business
- Marc Hendrix, Department Chair, Department of Geosciences
Incoming Associate Deans, Department Chairs and Directors
...and welcome to all the new leaders in your respective colleges, departments, schools and programs.聽
- Victor Valgenti, Department Chair, Department of Business Technology, Missoula College
- Lauren Fern, Department Chair, Department of Applied Arts and Sciences, Missoula College
- James Smart, School Director, School of Music, College of the Arts and Media
- Heather Cahoon, Department Chair, Department of Native American Studies, Humanities and Social Sciences
- Ona Renner-Fahey, Department Chair, Department of World Languages and Cultures, Humanities and Social Sciences
- Justin Angle, Department Chair, Department of Management and Marketing, College of Business
- Shawn Clouse, Department Chair, Department of Management Information Systems, College of Business
- Lisa Eiler, Department of Accounting and Finance, College of Business
- Bernadette Sweeney, School Director, School of Theatre and Dance, College of the Arts and Media
- Danielle Cooney, Program Co-Director, Women, Gender, and Sexual Studies Program, Humanities and Social Sciences
- Hillary Powell, Program Co-Director, Women, Gender, and Sexual Studies Program, Humanities and Social Sciences
- Isho Tama-Sweet, Associate Dean, College of Business
- David Fuentes, Associate Dean, College of Health (new to UM, starts in August)
- Payton Gardner, Department Chair, Department of Geosciences