Montana University System faculty are named 2025 MUS Teaching Scholars
The Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education is pleased to announce it has selected eight faculty from across the state to be honored as Montana University System Teaching Scholars.
Now in its fifth year, the MUS Teaching Scholars program was created to elevate excellent teaching and learning as the signature feature of an MUS education and to expand the reach of and impact of high-quality teaching. The program recognizes faculty who have made exemplary contributions to teaching and learning at their institutions and supports these faculty in leading faculty peers in further advancing excellence in teaching.
Each year, the MUS Teaching Scholars program focuses on a theme that highlights innovative approaches to teaching and aligns with MUS teaching and learning priorities. This year, the MUS Teaching Scholars program theme is “Teaching Practices & Pedagogies for All Learners.” This year’s Teaching Scholars faculty have developed leading edge strategies to serve non-traditional and working students as well as learners who face additional barriers in accessing education.
“We are proud to announce this year’s cohort of MUS Teaching Scholars, whose exceptional contributions to teaching elevate what an MUS education can be,” says Joseph Thiel, Deputy Commissioner for Academic, Research, and Student Affairs in the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education. “These faculty are trailblazers developing new ways of preparing our students for future careers, particularly when those students come to education later in life or with hurdles to overcome.”
The MUS Teaching Scholars program extends its impact through faculty learning communities. During the fall semester, each Teaching Scholar will lead faculty on their home campus in developing innovative and effective teaching strategies. Findings, best practices, and strategies developed through the learning communities will be shared with faculty across the system as part of the MUS Seamless System Initiative.
Scholars were chosen from a highly competitive pool of faculty from across the system, from all types of institutions within the system, and all faculty tracks and ranks. Faculty are selected in a double-blind review process for demonstrated commitment to the annual theme, quality and potential impact of the proposal for a faculty learning community, and demonstrated commitment to effective and innovative pedagogy.
2025-2026 Montana University System MUS Teaching Scholars
Ania Bartkowiak, Assistant Professor, Counseling, Montana State University
Shihua Brazill, Assistant Professor, Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, Montana Technological University
Selena Coburn, Instructor, Social Sciences, Great Falls College
Jennifer Combe, Professor, Art Education, University of Montana
Katherine Ivester, Faculty & Department Head, Developmental Math, Gallatin College
Jenna Jones, Instructor, Nursing Health & Public Safety, City College
Katrina Kennett, Associate Professor, Education, University of Montana Western
Kasthuri Udayakumar, Associate Professor, College of Health Sciences, MSU Northern
Additional information about the program, this year’s theme, and past cohorts can be found at https://mus.edu/che/arsa/mus-teaching-scholars/