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The Graduate School at Montana State University

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The Graduate School at Montana State University

The Graduate School at Montana State University ~ Creating Knowledge, Elevating Discovery, Striving for Innovation.

Montana State University offers 54 master’s degree options, 37 doctoral degree options including one specialist program, and 13 certificate options. Meet some of our graduate students in this montage! https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=6Nlkz2qu0kg

Visit The Graduate School's Wikipedia Page to find out about the history, the current dean and more. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Graduate_School_at_Montana_State_University

09/02/2026

Julia Daigle is a recent graduate of Montana State University’s Addiction Counseling program. She is passionate about survivor advocacy and community-based efforts to address trafficking, domestic violence, addiction, and trauma. She actively participates in advocacy focused conferences and trainings, including the Greater Rocky Mountain Immersive Training (GRIT) Uprising, to expand her knowledge and strengthen her ability to support survivors and vulnerable communities.

Originally from Sacramento, California, Julia moved to Montana as a child and later earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from MSU. Her early professional experience included mentoring at risk-youth and working with youth-serving organizations in the Bozeman community. After taking time to raise her child, she returned to MSU to pursue further education in addiction counseling.

Her experience at MSU has been strengthened by supportive faculty and mentors. They have encouraged her throughout her academic journey and guided her as she pursues her goals.

Looking ahead, Julia hopes to work closely with at-risk youth experiencing addiction and trauma, using her education and advocacy experience to help create safer and more supportive pathways forward.

08/20/2026

Advancing rural health through research, advocacy, and community impact.

Danika Comey, a Ph.D. candidate in Indigenous and Rural Health at Montana State University, and she researches healthcare access among Latina immigrant women in rural communities. Her work focuses on identifying barriers and facilitators to healthcare and developing approaches to improve access and support for underserved populations.

Originally from Jackson, Wyoming, she developed an interest in rural health through personal experiences navigating healthcare in a rural community. She earned her undergraduate degree in Public Health, with minors in Anthropology and Spanish, and later pursued graduate studies focused on research and public health.

At MSU she found a strong and supportive academic community through mentorship, collaborative research, peer learning, and professional development opportunities. Looking ahead, she hopes to pursue a tenure-track academic career that combines research and teaching while advancing health equity and amplifying the voices of underserved rural communities.

08/13/2026

Uncovering the genetics of plant adaptation and resilience.

Del Hannay, a doctoral student in Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, research how invasive aquatic plants develop resistance to herbicides. Focusing on the genomics and transcriptomics of Eurasian watermilfoil, their work helps scientists better understand plant adaptation and improve invasive species management.

Originally from Minnesota and inspired by early research mentorship, Del has found a collaborative and supportive scientific community at MSU while continuing to grow as a scientist.

Looking ahead, Del hopes to continue research in genetics and evolutionary biology through postdoctoral work, further exploring how genetic systems shape adaptation and change over time.

08/06/2026

Ph.D. student Fatima Uwa Rilwan is a part of the Computer Science program here at Montana State University. Her research focuses on optimization through evolutionary algorithms, specializing in unfactored evolutionary algorithms. She develops methods that break complex optimization problems into overlapping subproblems to improve computational efficiency and solution quality.

Originally from Nigeria, Fatima earned her undergraduate degree in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics, graduating as the top student in her class. Motivated by her passion for research, she sought a graduate program that combined strong faculty mentorship with opportunities for innovation. Montana State University's research strengths, supportive environment, and access to Montana's outdoor lifestyle made it the ideal choice.

She credits her advisor and the Department of Computer Science for providing exceptional academic guidance, mentorship, and research support.
Fatima hopes to continue advancing research in optimization and related areas, with the long term goal of pursuing a career in academia while remaining open to opportunities that foster impactful research and innovation.

07/30/2026

From protecting communities to empowering recovery.

After a career in law enforcement, Benjamin Dunlap returned to his hometown of Bozeman to pursue a new path helping individuals and families affected by addiction. He is currently completing MSU's one-year certification program to become a Licensed Addiction Counselor, where his coursework focuses on addiction, stigma, assessment, ethics, and developing effective counseling practices.

Originally from Miles City, Montana, he spent 15 years serving as a law enforcement officer in Florida, working in patrol, school resource services, internal affairs, and leadership roles. His experiences inspired him to transition into behavioral health, where he hopes to make a lasting impact through prevention, treatment, and recovery services.

He credits MSU's supportive faculty and collaborative learning environment for making his return to graduate education a smooth and rewarding experience. After earning his certification, he plans to work in addiction treatment while continuing toward clinical mental health counseling to serve the Montana community he proudly calls home.

07/23/2026

Luis Esquivel Cervantes is a Ph.D. student and Graduate Research Assistant in the Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology Department at Montana State University. Originally from Mexico, Luis came to Bozeman to join the PSPP program under the guidance of Dr. Mike Giroux.

Luis's research explores innovative ways to improve crop performance by studying how hydrogen sulfide seed and foliar treatments can enhance plant growth and potentially increase agronomic yield. His work has already contributed to research grants, resulted in two publications, and created opportunities to collaborate directly with Montana's potato and wheat growers, helping bridge the gap between scientific discovery and agricultural practice.

Inspired by his background in plant pathology and years of working with growers in Mexico, Luis hopes to continue a career in agricultural research, developing practical solutions that support farmers and strengthen crop production.

07/16/2026

Advancing sustainable agriculture through plant genetics and community impact.

Mei Ling Wong, a graduate student in MSU’s Plant Sciences Department, researches genetic components associated with grain yield in spring wheat. Her work focuses on understanding how different genes interact in field and greenhouse conditions to help improve crop productivity for Montana growers.

Originally from Hong Kong, Mei Ling discovered her passion for agriculture and community centered work through volunteer experiences with farming communities in rural areas. Inspired to support farmers through science and sustainable agriculture, she pursued agricultural studies in the United States and later continued into plant genetics and breeding research at MSU.

Through conferences, field days, and direct interaction with growers across Montana, Mei Ling has gained valuable experience connecting research with real world agricultural challenges. Following graduation, she hopes to continue a career in plant breeding focused on improving food security and supporting farming communities worldwide.

06/04/2026

Advancing nutrition research through science and discovery.

Meghan Spears, a PhD student in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, studies how nutrition influences human health through clinical trials and metabolomics. By examining how the body responds to different foods at the molecular level, her research helps uncover the complex pathways connected to metabolism and wellness.

Originally from Washington, Meghan was drawn to MSU by the program’s unique combination of exercise science and nutrition. Through research, teaching, and faculty mentorship, she has developed both scientific and teaching experience throughout her graduate journey.

After graduation, Meghan will begin a new role as an Assistant Professor of Health and Exercise Science at Simpson College, continuing her passion for education and student learning.

05/21/2026

Innovation driven by experience and purpose.

Ali Brown, a student in the Master of Science in Innovation and Management program, is combining her background as a veteran, entrepreneur, and real estate professional to build a growing business focused on solving industry challenges.

Through her startup, Ali is developing a platform designed to help real estate agents create faster, more effective referral connections for clients relocating across states. At MSU, she has been able to directly apply coursework in business strategy, finance, and product innovation to strengthen and refine her company.

Supported by the MSIM program’s practical learning environment and faculty mentorship, Ali is gaining the tools to scale her business while continuing to grow as an entrepreneur and leader.

05/14/2026

Congratulations to Anna French for receiving the prestigious P.E.O. Scholar Award.

Anna’s research focuses on freshwater ecosystems and the role of “ecosystem engineers” such as crayfish and caddisflies in shaping stream environments. By studying how crayfish burrowing and caddisfly silk-net construction influence hydrology, nutrient movement, and sediment interactions, her work helps uncover the complex processes that keep aquatic ecosystems functioning and resilient. Her research contributes to a broader understanding of stream ecology and supports future conservation efforts aimed at protecting freshwater systems.

Beyond the lab and fieldwork, Anna is a dedicated leader and advocate for graduate student well being, actively contributing to university leadership initiatives and fostering supportive conversations around graduate education and community. Through her passion for science, collaboration, and service, she is creating meaningful impact both within academia and beyond.

The P.E.O. Scholar Awards (PSA) are for women pursuing doctoral-level degrees in the U.S. and Canada.

Address

104 Montana Hall
Bozeman, MT
59717

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+14069944145

Website

http://www.montana.edu/gradschool

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