College of Education, Health and Human Development-Montana State University

Congratulations to Meghan Spears, an EHHD awarded graduate and PhD in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences who will be an assistant professor at Simpson College.

Want to learn more about the PhD in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences? https://www.montana.edu/academics/exercise-nutrition-sciences-graduate/index.html

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.

We are excited to share that Lindsay Ganong was given the Patricia Hennessey Leadership Award from the Montana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics! Lindsay was also one of our EHHD Awarded Employees for 2026! Congratulations to Lindsay! From leadership to advocacy, Lindsay (and other awardees) are doing phenomenal work for nutrition in Montana!

The road to the National History Day National Contest is months in the making. This year, four students from Frazer Schools will be competing with exhibit boards featuring three topics in Montana history: suffratist Hazel Hunkins, the Fort Peck Dam, and the Fort Shaw women's basketball team. Read more below.

Turning Wind into Wonder! 🪁✨ We are incredibly proud to highlight Sarah Fetterman, an awarded graduate of the MSU College of Education, Health and Human Development, and representative from our awesome Science Math Resource Center! 🎓

Sarah recently visited Lincoln Elementary School in Great Falls to lead a special project: building NASA-inspired kites. After the school suffered roof damage from severe winds, Sarah helped students find a "magical" side to the wind by teaching them how NASA uses large kites to collect atmospheric data

By bringing real-world science to the classroom, Sarah is helping the next generation of scientists build resilience and curiosity. Way to go, Sarah! 🌟

Read the article and watch the video here: https://www.krtv.com/news/great-falls-news/great-falls-students-create-nasa-inspired-kites

Congratulations to the Food Product Development Lab's undergraduate assistant, Sofia Da Silva! Sofia was recently selected as one of the proprietor growers for Willow Drive Nursery’s exciting new initiative dedicated to bringing incredible apple varieties directly to home growers.🍎✨

At the FPDL, sustainable farming and robust food systems are at the very core of what we do. Seeing our students take these sustainable practices home and actively participate in the future of local agriculture is exactly what inspires us.

The 2026 Montana Early Childhood Tribal Language Summit is happening now at Montana State University thanks to the hard work of our very own, Dr. Rebecca Turk, who is also one of our 2026 Awarded EHHD Faculty!

Congratulations to our 92 graduates who are becoming teachers and will be starting their teaching journey in the fall.

Dr. Joe Hicks has sent us the traditional photograph of our Spring 2026 returning student teachers on the steps in Norm Asbjornson Hall. Congratulations to these graduates and to the schools where they will be teaching!

There will be a new department head of the MSU-Bozeman Department of Education - Congratulations to Leslie Rogers!

New Department Head July 1

I wish to thank Dr. Lauren Davis for her incredible leadership and service to the Department of Education during the last two academic years and summers. Lauren has championed innovation at every turn, committing resources to create a staff position to advance alternative pathways into the teaching profession and serving as PI on grant-funded projects to foster “Grow Your Own” initiatives. I am grateful for the vision Lauren has brought to academic leadership.

I am excited to announce Dr. Leslie Rogers has agreed to continue this path and will lead the Department of Education, beginning officially on July 1, 2026 for the 2026-27 academic year. Given Leslie’s previous service as department head at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, she is well-suited to step into this role. I have been impressed with Leslie’s ideas for innovative instructional delivery modalities and commitment to outreach across Montana.

In talking with Leslie, she shared her deep passion for the Department of Education and is excited to help uncover ways for thriving in this role and supporting her colleagues. She asked me specifically to share her deep appreciation for Lauren’s and Sarah’s recent service and leadership of the department.

I am thrilled to welcome Leslie to the EHHD Leadership Team and know she will be instrumental in helping us identify ways to practice lifegiving leadership in the coming year and future.

Best wishes,

Tricia Seifert, PhD
Dean, College of Education, Health & Human Development

Celebrating the incredible Cara Tarpin and her inspiring work with the PATH Project and the Food Product Development Lab! 🤍✨

Through the Crawford Scholars Project, students are awarded $5,000 per semester to dive into meaningful research. Gaining hands-on experience, developing innovative ideas, and presenting their work with confidence. With an astounding $32 million in total funding provided by the Crawford family, opportunities like this are truly life-changing.