New dean at the helm at Highlands College, committed to furthering lifetime career preparation

When Tammy Burke walks through the halls of Highlands College, she sees more than classrooms and labs — she sees opportunity.

As the new dean of Highlands College at Montana Tech, Burke brings nearly three decades of experience in higher education and a steadfast commitment to student success. Her journey from adjunct instructor to academic leader reflects a lifelong dedication to helping students find their path — and now, she’s channeling that passion into growing programs that serve the Butte community and beyond.

“I’ve dedicated the majority of my professional career to higher education,” Burke said. “My goal has always been to impact students in a positive way through their academic journey — whether that’s by helping them get into a program, find a job, or just helping them find their path.”

Burke began her teaching career in 1996, working as an adjunct and later tenured faculty member at community colleges across Wyoming before moving to Helena College, where she taught anatomy and physiology for six years. After more than two decades in the classroom, she transitioned into administration — a move she made, she says, to expand her ability to help students succeed.

That perspective deepened when she briefly stepped away from higher education to work for Boeing Helena.

“I saw the other side of the higher education product,” she said. “We hired students out of manufacturing programs, and I saw firsthand how much of a difference having an education makes in industry.”

Her time in the private sector gave Burke valuable insight into what employers value most — not just skills, but reliability, attitude, and cultural fit.

“Industry really wants people who will show up every day, on time, with a positive attitude,” she said. “You can be great at something, but if you can’t work well with others, that makes it hard for everyone.”

When the opportunity arose to lead Highlands College, Burke knew it was the right fit.

“Butte felt like home,” she said. “It’s a hardworking community that values education and opportunity. Highlands has great programs that lead to high-wage, high-opportunity jobs — and I felt like I could make a difference here.”

Since stepping into the role, Burke has found a strong foundation to build upon.

“My predecessor, Karen VanDaveer, did an amazing job setting me up for success,” Burke said. “The programs are healthy, enrollment is up, and the faculty and staff here are phenomenal. They truly care about the students.”

Now, Burke is focused on the future — guiding Highlands College into its next chapter. One of her first initiatives is developing a strategic plan tailored to the college’s two-year, workforce-driven mission.

“Even though we fall under Montana Tech’s strategic plan, Highlands College is unique,” she said. “We’re very focused on direct-to-workforce education, so I want to ensure we have a clear direction within those broader goals.”

Burke’s vision centers on strengthening ties between the college and the Butte community.

“My goal is to grow our programs in ways that directly support local industry,” she said. “We have automotive, welding, and construction programs that align perfectly with community needs. I want to make sure our graduates are ready to step right into those roles and help Butte thrive.”

She’s also passionate about helping students graduate with minimal debt — and ideally, job offers in hand.

“I’d love to see more students connecting with employers while they’re still in school so they can ‘earn while they learn,’” Burke said. “It helps reduce debt, builds experience, and opens doors for future employment.”

That focus, she believes, gives two-year education an increasingly powerful advantage.

“It used to be that a bachelor’s degree was the only path to a good salary,” she said. “That’s not true anymore. A lot of our students graduating with two-year degrees are making as much or more than those with four-year degrees — and with far less debt.”

Burke also sees a bright future for trade careers in a world of rapid technological change.

“AI will impact a lot of fields,” she said, “but it’s not going to replace the person climbing a power pole in a storm or putting shingles on a roof. There are certain things people will always do better — because we bring care, thought, and heart to what we do.”

Ultimately, Burke’s leadership philosophy comes back to people — the students, faculty, and community that make Highlands College special.

“I feel really lucky to be here,” she said. “This is a place full of great people doing meaningful work. My goal is to keep building on that success and make sure our students have everything they need — not just for a job, but for a lifetime career.”