Montana Tech Chancellor Search Profile

Search Profile

THE OPPORTUNITY The next Montana Technological University (Montana Tech) Chancellor will have a unique opportunity to embrace current momentum and address important challenges to take this university to new levels of excellence. In March of 2017, the Montana Board of Regents reclassified Montana Tech as a Special Focus Four-Year University. The Search Advisory Committee seeks to identify an inspired, transformational leader to help the university take its place as a premier science and engineering institution in the nation.

The Chancellor is expected to be a strong team leader and fair team player for the university. In keeping with the Montana Tech mission, the Chancellor will be a vocal, vigorous advocate, working on behalf of students to reimagine their opportunities in undergraduate and graduate education, workforce development, research, and service. Leadership will support a strategic plan addressing excellence in education and knowledge; student achievement; an engaged faculty; and Tech’s internal and external communities.

CALLOUTS www.mtech.edu Location: Butte, MT Founded: 1900 Mascot: Orediggers Athletic Conference: Frontier Men’s Teams: basketball, football, golf Women’s Teams: basketball, golf, volleyball

STUDENTS (fall 2018) Headcount: 2,583 Undergraduate: 2,330 Graduate: 253 students In-state: 74.7% (from 51 counties) Out-of-state: 17.5 (from 43 states) International: 7.8% international

AWARDS & HONORS

Montana Tech has been recognized for its exceptional educational experience in many ways, including the following:

#1

#1

#1

TOP

Best Value College in Montana

University in Montana for earning potential

BestValueSchools.com

SmartAsset

Pay Scale

2018 Best Western College

6 Goldwater Scholars

2018 Military Friendly School

University for Advancing America’s Economy

in the Nation for Best Value Engineering Schools

Edsmart.org

One of the Hardest Working Colleges in America

(from 17 countries)

Average ACT: 24.3

DEGREES AWARDED (2017-2018)

Certificates: 84 Associate Degrees: 66 Bachelor’s Degrees: 443 Master’s Degrees: 72 Doctorate: 2

CareerTrend.com

The Princeton Review

Victory Media

ABOUT MONTANA TECH Opening in 1900 as the Montana State School of Mines, Montana Tech’s funding and land came from the Enabling Act of 1889, which admitted Montana to the Union and allocated 100,000 acres of public land to establish a state school of mines. The school opened with one building, Main Hall, and offered two degrees: mining engineering and electrical engineering. Today, Montana Tech specializes in the areas of science, technology, engineering, math, and healthcare disciplines and repeatedly has been recognized among the top universities in America. Montana Tech is the Special Focus Four-Year University within the Montana University System (MUS).

Montana Tech’s north campus offers four-year and graduate degrees. Many of Montana Tech’s engineering programs are not only unique to the region but are also among only a few in the country. For example, Montana Tech is one of ten universities offering a BS degree in metallurgical engineering, one of nineteen that offer a BS degree in mining engineering, and one of only twenty that offer a BS in petroleum engineering. Montana Tech also offers the more traditional engineering programs including mechanical, civil, electrical, and environmental engineering. In addition, Montana Tech also offers non-engineering degree and certificate programs that other Montana University System (MUS) units do not offer such as BS degrees in statistics, professional & technical communication, interdisciplinary arts and sciences, network technology, health care informatics, and a certificate in pre-apprenticeship lineman. A number of Montana Tech’s non-engineering programs have specialized accreditation/certification from entities such as the American Chemical Society (ACS) and The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

The University’s south campus, Highlands College, is a comprehensive two-year college embedded within Montana Tech. Highlands offers associate degrees and certificate programs, continuing education, and customized training. Highlands College allows graduates to enter the workforce immediately, or earn credits that may be transferred to a 4-year degree program.

The campus is home to the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology (MBMG) whose state agency mandate is to collect and publish information on Montana’s geology to promote orderly and responsible development of Montana’s energy, groundwater, and mineral resources. The MBMG provides these services to the public and a variety of constituents within the private sector, as well as federal, state, and local governments.

The MBMG’s research faculty also closely collaborate with the academic faculty on research and in the mentoring of graduate students.

MISSION

VISION

Montana Tech, through exemplary undergraduate and graduate education, workforce development, research, and service, builds on a strong heritage in engineering, science, and technology that blends theory with practice in meeting the changing needs of society and the responsible development and use of natural resources.

To be a leader for undergraduate and graduate education and research in the Pacific Northwest in engineering, science, energy, health, information sciences, and technology.

CAMPUS TRANSFORMATION With over $20 million in recently completed building and renovation projects, another $12.5 million currently under construction, and $25 million of future construction under design, the campus blends its historical buildings with new, state-of the-art laboratory and instructional facilities. Much of the work completed and in process is in partnership with industry, friends, and alumni support with over $15 million raised in the area of philanthropic giving.

Montana Tech’s newly opened Natural Resource Research Center (NRRC), a three-story, 31,000-squarefoot addition to the Engineering Laboratory Classroom Building, houses research and lab space for the Petroleum, Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering Departments along with space for Occupational Safety & Health. The building includes a state-of-the-art nanotechnology clean-room with a lithography bay for working with photosensitive polymers. The top floor of the NRRC will house the Schweitzer Engineering Power-Systems Lab which will allow Montana Tech to have one of the best high-voltage power-engineering programs in the U.S. The power-systems labs will be implemented over the next three years.

The campus is also preparing for the opening of the Student Success/Living & Learning Center (SSC/LLC) on campus in early spring 2019. The SSC will be a place for students to learn and study, to relax and play. When completed, Montana Tech’s SSC will become the heart of campus. The nearly 100,000-square-foot facility will complete the student life experience on campus, providing an inspiring environment for students to live, dine, socialize, cultivate valuable leadership skills, and forge lifelong friendships. The first two floors of the facility will provide a boost to Montana Tech’s residential capacity, adding 166 beds and bringing the campus’ total bed count to 455.

ACADEMIC COLLEGES The university is organized into four colleges: College of Letters, Sciences, & Professional Studies (CLSPS); Highlands College; School of Mines & Engineering; and the Graduate School. Within these colleges, Montana Tech offers 12 certificates, 13 associate degrees, 30 bachelor’s degree programs, 13 master’s programs, and 1 doctoral program.

Find information, please visit the following websites:

• College of Letters, Sciences & Professional Studies: https://www.mtech.edu/clsps/index.html • Graduate School: https://www.mtech.edu/gradschool/index.html • Highlands College: https://www.mtech.edu/highlands/index.html • School of Mines and Engineering: https://www.mtech.edu/mines-engineering/index.html

AUTHORITY Montana Tech is part of the Montana University System and governed by the Montana Board of Regents of Higher Education through its constitutional authority to operate public higher education in Montana.

Montana Tech has a Chancellor, who serves as the full-time executive officer and reports to the Montana Commissioner of Higher Education. Montana Tech awards certificates, certificates of applied science, associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, graduate certificates, master’s degrees, and doctoral degrees.

For more information about the MUS, please visit https://mus.edu/.

ACCREDITATION Montana Tech’s accreditation is through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

All of Montana Tech’s engineering programs, computer science, occupational health & safety, and industrial hygiene are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Montana Tech’s baccalaureate degree program in nursing holds accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

INSTITUTIONAL LEADERSHIP Donald M. Blackketter became Chancellor of Montana Tech in June of 2011. He served as department chair of Mechanical Engineering, a research center director, and Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Idaho prior to joining Montana Tech. He also held faculty rank of assistant, associate, and professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Idaho.

Montana Tech’s executive team consists of the Chancellor; Dr. Douglas Abbott, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs/Provost; Dr. Beverly Hartline, Vice Chancellor for Research and Dean of the Graduate School; Mr. Joe McClafferty, Vice Chancellor for Advancement and University Relations and President of the Montana Tech Foundation; and Mr. Brant Wright, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance. For more information about the executive team, visit https://www.mtech.edu/about/administration.html.

FACULTY & STAFF Montana Tech and the MBMG have 533 total employees; excluding student employees. Montana Tech has 182 full-time and 67 part-time instructional and research faculty members. With an environment that encourages faculty-student interaction, Montana Tech undergraduate and graduate students are frequently involved with faculty and staff in research programs. Montana Tech’s 284 staff members are dedicated to the success of the University.

STRATEGIC PLAN Montana Tech’s Strategic Plan, A Commitment to Excellence, focused on four themes: Education and Excellence, Student Achievement, Engaged Faculty, and The Montana Tech Community. Explore the strategic plan at https://www.mtech.edu/about/strategic-plan/.

RESEARCH Montana Tech’s commitment to research has resulted in significant growth over the past few years to exceed $13 million annually from local, state, and national agencies and the private sector. Research specialties emphasize natural resources engineering, materials science and engineering, energy, geosciences and water, restoration ecology and environmental engineering, health and bioscience. Distinctive research infrastructure includes an on-campus underground mine; the Center for Advanced Mineral, Metallurgical, and Materials Processing; a High Performance Computer with 3-D visualization; and the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology. Projects involve undergraduates and graduate students working closely with faculty.

BUDGET Montana Tech’s fiscal year budget totaled $76.03 million. State appropriation and millage totaled $15.2 million, tuition and fees is at $16.6 million, plant funds total $17 million (with $11 million going towards the construction of the LLC), and $14.4 million in restricted (with $7 million research related). The remainder comes from a variety of sources that include designated and auxiliary funds along with interest income and other activities.

ALUMNI Organized in 1904, the Montana Tech Alumni Association has 13,657 living alumni, of which 48% live in Montana. Many Montana Tech alumni come from ordinary beginnings and go on to lead extraordinary lives serving in leadership positions within their organizations. They are working and living in Montana, across the United States, and around the world.

Montana Tech is fortunate to receive strong support from its alumni.

Nineteen percent of Montana Tech alumni are actively engaged with the University through student mentorship, student recruitment, guest lecturers, boards, and employing interns. In addition, Montana Tech has 14 active alumni chapters across the United States and Canada extending Montana Tech’s footprint and raising scholarship funds for their area.

MONTANA TECH FOUNDATION The Montana Tech Foundation is an independent, nonprofit fundraising partner of Montana Tech. They seek to grow philanthropic support of campus through coordinated outreach to alumni, friends, and industry.

The Foundation works with the University to identify strategic priorities where private funds can play a decisive role in moving the campus forward.

Governed by an international Board of Directors, the Foundation President leads the organization and serves on the Chancellor’s Executive Council. The Chancellor serves on the Foundation Board in an ex officio capacity.

Through the creation and delivery of creative, high-quality messaging, events, and opportunities to give, the Montana Tech Foundation has been able to increase the levels of philanthropic support raised and provided to campus each year while also growing engagement and participation. The campaign, Ordinary Beginnings, Extraordinary Futures, is in its final stages and the Foundation expects a successful conclusion exceeding the established $40 million goal within the next 2 years.

The Foundation is particularly proud of the physical transformation of campus through nearly $40 million in capital improvements over the past decade. Improvements include the 100% privately supported University Relations Center and Digger Turf and public/private partnerships for construction of the Natural Resources Building, Natural Resource Research Center, and soon to be completed Student Success Center.

MONTANA TECH FOUNDATION FINANCES FY18:

TOTAL ASSETS: $49,171,096

TOTAL DISTRIBUTION TO CAMPUS: $7,192,674

GIVING:

$6,855,125

ENDOWMENT VALUE: $39,157,542

MAKING AN IMPACT Montana Tech affects not only the community of Butte but also the entire state of Montana. The University significantly impacts the overall economy with an estimated $98 million in overall economic spending and earnings and provides an estimated $6.6 million of state taxes.

THE RICHEST HILL ON EARTH Butte, Montana has progressed through times of change and yet maintained its sense of community. Butte, the first major city in Montana, was at one time, the largest city west of the Mississippi River between Chicago and San Francisco. From its early days as a mining camp, to the rise of the Copper Kings and the resulting birth of the labor movement, through the industrialization and decline of mining, and down to a present marked by an environmental and urban renaissance, Butte’s history is as colorful and diverse as the landscape of Montana.

The Mining City offers many summer festivals and a gateway to Montana outdoor opportunities.

OUTDOOR RECREATION Located at 5,518 feet above sea level in the Rocky Mountains, Butte is minutes from the Continental Divide and Montana’s headwater streams. Butte serves as a springboard to almost 4 million acres of state and federal public land open to both summer and winter recreation. There are always high quality adventures minutes from the city, whether you have a few hours or several days to spend. Bring your favorite gear and head outdoors, then relax amid Butte’s unique and vibrant history. Many adventures await:

• Fish the Big Hole River • Mountain bike in Thompson Park • Ski in Southwest Montana • Enjoy the publicly accessed trail systems • Backpack in the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness • Hike on the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail

ARTS & CULTURE Butte is known as the Festival City with a growing community of arts and culture. The Butte Symphony is the oldest symphony in Montana and has been a cornerstone of the SW Montana art and music scene for almost 70 years.

Butte hosts a number of festivals throughout the year that include St. Patrick’s Day Parade, SNoFLINGA, the Montana Folk Festival, An Ri Ra Irish Festival, and the Covellite International Film Festival. Monthly art walks, summer farmer’s markets, and live music and entertainment are also offered throughout the year.

Explore more about Butte at the following:

• Butte Chamber of Commerce: http://www.buttechambersite.org/ • Butte Local Development Corporation: http://www.bldc.net/ • Butte. Elevated: http://butteelevated.com • The City-County of Butte Silver Bow: http://www.co.silverbow.mt.us/

NOMINATIONS AND APPLICATION PROCESS To assure best consideration, applications should be received by January 18, 2019. The application should include a two to four-page letter of interest specifically addressing the applicant’s background in relationship to the expectations described; a current résumé (or curriculum vitae); and the names of at least five professional references with each person’s position, office or home address, e-mail address, and telephone numbers. References will not be contacted without prior authorization from the applicant.

The new Chancellor will assume office by or before July 2019.

The Chancellor of Montana Tech reports to the Commissioner of Higher Education for the Montana University System. The search is being assisted by James H. McCormick, jim.mccormick@agbsearch.com, 651-238-5188, and Janice S. Fitzgerald, 717-580-0663, AGB Search. Nominations and applications should be sent electronically (MS Word or PDF Format) to montanatechchancellor@agbsearch.com. Additional information may be found at www.mtech.edu/chancellor-search.