American Indian/Alaska Native Student Success Staff

Location: 135 D, Dr. Dan Voyich Student Commons
Phone: (406) 994-4880
E-mail: [email protected]

Lisa Perry is an enrolled member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe and descendant of the Arapaho Nation, with both tribes residing on the Wind River Indian Reservation. Ms. Perry was raised in the small town of Fort Washakie, Wyoming. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Renewable Resources from the University of Wyoming in 2006 and her Master of Business Administration from Grand Canyon University in 2012. Lisa is currently enrolled in the Mental Health Counseling graduate program at MSU with the goal of becoming a licensed & practicing counselor. Ms. Perry has been employed in various capacities at Montana State University since 2013. She is currently the Director of the AI/AN Student Success and Advisor to the American Indian Council. These capacities have given her the direct ability to support the American Indian student body while promoting culture, mental wellness, and education to the community. In her spare time, she loves to bead, watch various sporting events, and spend time with friends, family, and her two dogs. 

 

Location: 135 C, Dr. Dan Voyich Student Commons

Phone: (406) 994-5529

E-mail: [email protected]

Nick comes from the small community of White Swan, located on the Yakama Indian Reservation in Washington State. A graduate of Montana State University, Nick earned his degree in Philosophy with a minor in Native American Studies. While a student, Nick was very active in the community, serving in leadership with MSU’s American Indian Council, Nations, and as a representative in the ASMSU student government. As a part of the American Indian/Alaska Native Student Success team, Nick works daily on the ground with students, programming educational, cultural, and social initiatives designed to engage and equip students to grow in their confidence, awareness, and flourish while at MSU. 

 

Location: 135 F, Dr. Dan Voyich Student Commons
Phone: (406) 994-3334
E-mail: [email protected]

KristieRussette is an enrolled member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe from Rocky Boy, Montana. She earned her undergraduate degree in Art/English at MSU in 2017. Kristie’s previous professional work includes social services/public programming for the State of Alaska, as well as publications coordination and recruitment mailing for the MSU Office of Admissions. She is also currently working towards her master’s degree in Native American Studies at MSU. As an undergraduate,Kristieworked as a Peer Tutor at the MSU Writing Center and loves working directly with students as they pursue both academic and personal goals. In her spare time, you can findKristiereading graphic novels, hiking trails, or working on various art projects.

 

Location: 135 E, Dr. Dan Voyich Student Commons
Phone: (406) 994-3898
E-mail: [email protected]

Leo Davis returns to Montana State with 10 years of administration and athletic coaching, youth development and community organizing experience to the Native American Studies department. As a former MSU football player who was born and raised in Montana, Leo has always used a community-based mindset to connect to our rural and urban school districts. A member of the Kul Wiscasa Oyate (Lower Brule Lakota) and Amskapi Piikani (Blackfeet) tribes, Leo also brings a differentiated knowledge of teaching, learning and self-actualization. He holds close to his heart his traditional values and utilizes those teachings to help navigate the world in which we now walk. He aims to provide an authentic approach to dealing with cultural and educational resiliency with our students across the campus community. Leo enjoys doing all things Montana with his two sons, hunting, sport coaching, riding horses and supporting his beloved Montana State Bobcat athletic teams.