Parent & Family Association

Montana State University
P.O. Box 174220
Bozeman, MT 59717

Tel: (406) 994-7359
Fax: (406) 994-5931
E-mail: pfa@montana.edu
Location: SUB 174

(Click here to join!)

About your Board:

Fatima Lucas

RN/Domestic Engineer from Livingston, MT
Students:   Kilean, a sophomore in chemical and biological engineering, and Erin, a freshman in biotech and animal science for pre-vet

A little bit about me: I am from Beirut, Lebanon, so English is my second language. I grew up in Detroit and decided I wanted to raise my kids in a better environment, away from the big city, so we moved to Livingston, permanently a little over three years ago. I have been involved in various organizations in our community including our local quilt guild, supervising the arts and crafts area of our local fair, volunteering at the local animal shelter, volunteering at the spay and neuter clinics, managing hockey teams in Bozeman, teaching quilting, knitting and crocheting, as well as Homeschooling our kids full time.

I came to the fall event that PFA puts on and decided to help out, seeing as I will have TWO kids attending and hoping to get the families more involved, so that they may feel more connected with their kids. It doesn't matter where your kids attend college, with all that is going on in the world, it helps to know that there are avenues to connect you with them and that you can be pro- active. I really like MSU and hope to bring 21st century education to the forefront, that is, that homeschoolers ARE educated and want to make a difference in this world and not just kids that attend conventional education systems. You get out what you put in...! THANK YOU to PFA for all that it stands for. And THANK YOU to MSU for keeping up with the future needs of tomorrow, TODAY.

Melody Mazzella-Murter

Family Nurse Practitioner practicing in neurology from Billings, MT

Student: Emma Ann Murter, a sophomore in biochemistry and a presidential scholar.

A little about me:  I’m an MSU grad (BSN nursing honors) and completed grad school at University of North Dakota.  I am family nurse practitioner and physician assistant certified/boarded.  Public Health Service was my first love, although right out of nursing school I worked as OB nurse at St Vincent Hospital in Billings.  I love educating young people and encouraging community involvement with high standards for a drug free youth social culture.  My husband and I canoe and backpack when we can, and I raise dairy goats and make cheese and soap.  We have a 16yo son Forrest also who is an avid climber and alpinist.

I joined the board to again become involved in the college life.  When I was a nursing student I was an academic affairs student rep and student affairs rep and I wrote for the yearbook in 1986.  I really like being involved with my surroundings.  I hope to make contributions to the board and to the ideals of having a family parent association.  I really believe we need to support the values of Montana while embracing the future.  I would like to be a part of ensuring the accountability of our university administration and students to the highest standards for integrity and honesty. 

Deb Redburn

Communications and Outreach Specialist for the College of Education, Health and Human Development at Montana State University from Bozeman, Montana

Student:   Lauren, senior, double major in music and German

A little about me:  I have worked for Montana State University since 2001 in several capacities. For the last three years, I have been the Communications Specialist for the College of EHHD. Before moving to Montana with my family in 2000, we lived in Kansas, where my husband was a school administrator. We moved to Bozeman when he was hired as the superintendent of Bozeman Public Schools. I was a teacher in Kansas for 17 years, teaching elementary and middle school students. My son graduated from MSU in bio-medical science in December of 2009 and my daughter will graduate in 2012. I guess you can say we’re all Bobcats in our family, as my husband now is a professor of educational leadership at MSU.

I joined the Parent Family Board two years ago, because I liked being involved in an organization that connects with students and their families. I wanted to help parents know what a great university their young adult would be attending. The PFA Board provides opportunities for me to meet other parents, and I especially like the support PFA provides to our students and their families with scholarship funds and also with activities like Parent Family Weekend. A great way to network!