Montana State University > College of Letters and Science > Dean's Office Administration

Information For

About the College

Academic Programs

News

L&S News
- Current Headlines
- Archived News
L&S Twitter Feed
L&S Faculty in the News
Media Information

Calendars & Events

College of Letters and Science

Montana State University
P.O. Box 172360
Bozeman, MT 59717-2360

Tel: (406) 994-4288
Fax: (406) 994-6879
E-mail: lands@montana.edu
Location: 2-205 Wilson Hall

Dean:

Nicol C. Rae
nicol.rae@montana.edu

Dean's Office Administration

Nicol C. Rae, Dean Nicol Rae serves as the Dean of the College of Letters and Science and is a professor of political science. Before coming to MSU in 2013, Dr. Rae served as the senior associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences at Florida International University. At Florida International University, Dr. Rae led associate deans, assistant deans, directors and department chairs in his role since 2008. His professional administrative experience includes serving as the chair of the Department of Political Science, co-director of the Miami European Union Center and director of European Studies. He began his career at Florida International University in 1988 and was chair of the Department of Political Science from 1999-2005. His scholarship is often cited, and his research interests focus on American national political institutions, comparative political parties and party systems, European government and politics, and conservative politics. He is the author of five books on American politics. Dr. Rae holds a doctorate in politics from Oxford University and an undergraduate degree in politics from Edinburgh University.

Melody Zajdel, Associate Dean for Student and Faculty Development Associate Dean Melody Zajdel, an Associate Professor of English, received her M.A. and Ph.D. from Michigan State, and her B.A. from Baldwin-Wallace College. She joined the MSU faculty in 1979. A committed teacher, Dr. Zajdel has won numerous teaching awards (including the Anna K. Fridley Phi Kappa Phi Distinguished Teaching Award, Mortar Board Professor of the Month, and selection as an Influential Educator), as well as the Betty Coffey award for work on women's equity on campus, and recognition by the Montana Committee for the Humanities as a Humanist Scholar for her work in public outreach. Dr. Zajdel has worked on several program and curriculum initiatives in the university, including the Honors program, the Women's Studies minor, the Women's Center, Reinventing the CORE and the WEEA project. Her most recent research focuses on selected Midwestern writers. She has served as a member of MSU's Faculty Council, Faculty Affairs Committee, University Promotion and Tenure Committee, Presidential Scholars Selection Committee and other faculty/student affairs committees. She is on the Executive Board of the Society for the Study of Midwestern Literature and has held state, regional and national positions in organizations such as the Montana Association of Teachers of English and Language Arts and the Northwest and National Women's Studies Associations.

Sue Monahan, Associate Dean for Program and Curricular Development Associate Dean Sue Monahan, an Associate Professor of Sociology, earned her doctorate and master's in sociology from Stanford University. Her bachelor's degree is from Swarthmore College in sociology/anthropology and economics. An organizational sociologist, Dr. Monahan's research focuses on how organizational structure shapes action on the ground. Her current work is supported by Montana INBRE (or IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence) and examines the interrelationships among organizational structure, community characteristics and patient outcomes in hospitals. Dr. Monahan has been a faculty member at MSU since 1995, and served as chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology from 2005 through 2009. She has taught a range of courses at MSU, including CORE 2.0 courses in the areas of diversity and social science, upper division sociology courses, research-based capstone courses, and interdisciplinary courses including CLS 101 and CLS 201. She also co-teaches a liberal studies seminar on science and religion with a colleague from the College of Agriculture. Dr. Monahan also has been involved in a number of institutional initiatives. She was one of the original co-PI's (principal investigators) of MSU's National Science Foundation-funded ADVANCE Leadership Award, and she was also integrally involved in the development and implementation of CORE 2.0.

Mindy Brown, Director of Finance and Administration Mindy Brown has degrees in natural resources from Cornell University (B.S.) and natural resource management and policy from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (M.S.). She joined the Dean’s office in 2009 after working in both the Departments of Microbiology and Earth Sciences at MSU. She is responsible for the fiscal management of the college, including its fifteen departments and various centers.

Sarah Miller, Dean’s Assistant and Program Director Sarah Miller has been working at Montana State University since 2003 and with the Dean’s Office since 2007. She has her B.A. in history with a minor in English and a Master’s of Public Administration, both from MSU. Sarah serves as the executive assistant to the Dean, directing and coordinating the Dean’s programs, coordinating the promotion and tenure process for the college, and assisting with the fiscal management of the college.

Jennifer Storment, Administrative and Student Support Coordinator Jennifer has been working at MSU in various capacities since 2004 and more recently with the Dean’s Office in 2012. She received her B.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences, Health and Human Development with an option in Family Sciences from MSU in 2008. Jennifer helps with general administration and budget in addition to assisting Associate Deans, Melody Zajdel and Sue Monahan. She also serves as the office liaison with the Foundation/Development Officers and will help coordinate the college’s student events such as orientation, MSU Fridays and commencement.

Course and Program Manager Currently vacant

Jody Sanford, Communications Director Jody Sanford has a B.A. degree in English and political science from the University of Michigan and an M.S. degree in resource development from Michigan State University. She joined the Dean's office in 2008. She directs communication among the college's fifteen departments, as well as between the college, the wider university, and college alumni and donors. Jody is the editor of Confluence, the college's annual magazine, manages the L&S website, and produces other College-related brochures and publications.

Information Technology Manager Currently vacant