University Communications Directory

Tracy Ellig

Vice President of University Communications

Julie Kipfer

Director, Marketing and Creative Services

Julie has a background in higher education and marketing, with over 15 years of experience. She is responsible for developing the concepts and strategies for university marketing programs. She chairs the Marketing Advisory Committee and works to coordinate campus efforts, promote MSU to our various constituents, and create programs to enhance MSU's image and awareness.

Bridget Ashcraft

Graphic Designer

Bridget has more than 10 years experience as a graphic designer and has been with University Communications since 2003. She is currently the art director for Mountains & Minds magazine.

Kristen Drumheller

Graphic Designer

Kristen is a graphic designer working on a variety of projects. She graduated from MSU's graphic design program and has been working with Marketing and Creative Services for several years.

Alison Gauthier

Graphic Designer

A graduate of MSU's Graphic Design program, Alison works as a graphic designer in MSU's University Communications Creative Services.

Amy Kanuch

Community Relations and Marketing

Amy has a background in community relations, marketing and retail management. She is responsible for community outreach and promoting positive awareness of MSU by building partnerships at the campus and community levels. She represents MSU on local boards and committees and collaborates on various MSU community events. In addition, she manages the Pure Gold recognition program, publishes the Bobcat Bulletin and oversees the design approval process for the university merchandise program.

Ron Lambert

Creative Director

Kay LaFrance

Publications Editor/Printing Production Specialist

Kay is a publications editor and production coordinator. She is the managing editor for numerous university publications, including the Collegian.

Allison Brown

Digital Marketing Strategist

Allison joined University Communications in 2019 as the Digital Marketing Strategist. Her focus at MSU centers on search engine optimization strategies, user experience design for special projects and digital marketing to maximize MSU’s reach across the digital landscape. Her professional experience has ranged from design in the non-profit sector and teaching in higher education to customer experience in the tech sector. She earned a M.F.A in Visual Studies from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 2016. A native of central Indiana, Allison enjoys the finer things in life when not at her desk at Montana State, such as: giving belly rubs to her dog, chatting with her friends over a fine meal, working on various and sundry fiber arts and, of course, a good hike.

Colleen Cronin

Communications Specialist

Colleen is the Communications Specialist where she focuses on developing strategies to elevate the reputation and increase visibility of Gallatin College. She'll be supporting Gallatin College recruitment efforts, student communications and community outreach. Colleen has a background working in advertising agencies and in-house marketing departments with a bachelor's of science in psychology and a minor in business from the University of Idaho. She recently returned to Bozeman after living in Anchorage, Alaska and Denver, Colorado.

Kayla May 

Social Media Strategist

Kayla, a native of Louisville, Ky., joined University Communications in 2018 as the Social Media Strategist for Montana State University. Kayla contributes to the overall brand messaging of the university through platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram in effort to keep students, parents, alumni, donors, media and the general public informed about all things happening at MSU. Having attended college at Appalachian State University (NC), where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a focus on Public Relations and a minor in English, Kayla enjoys practicing a healthy work-life balance by spending her spare time outdoors hiking, camping, kayaking and cycling.

Annie Pentilla

Marketing Strategist

Annie Pentilla joined University Communications as a Marketing Strategist in 2020. She formerly worked as a journalist at The Montana Standard, where she served as the paper’s business reporter for three years. Before that she worked as a marketing writer for a firm in Colorado, where she wrote content for the mental-health industry. Annie is a graduate of San Francisco State’s MFA Creative Writing Program. She also has a bachelor’s in creative writing and molecular biology from the University of Colorado in Boulder.

Michael Becker

Director

Originally from eastern Montana, Michael Becker has been a professional journalist since 2005 and has experience as a writing teacher, reporter, copy editor, online editor and social media manager. He has a master's degree in English from Montana State University.

Carol Schmidt

Assistant Director

Schmidt is a native of Denver, Colo. with both a bachelor's (sociology/social work) and a master's degree in journalism from the University of Wyoming. She has worked as a reporter and editor at newspapers in Wyoming, Montana and Ohio. She also has worked in public relations firms in Seattle and San Diego and freelanced for many years. She has worked at the MSU News Service since 1994. Schmidt is the editor of MSU’s Mountains and Minds magazine. She also covers the humanities including the College of Arts and Architecture and portions of the College of Letters and Science.

Anne Cantrell

Assistant Director

Anne is an assistant director of the MSU News Service, where she works to produce content to advance the university's mission. She also covers the Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship, College of Nursing, College of Education, Health and Human Development and the MSU Library. Anne has a bachelor's degree in English from Cornell College and a master's degree in journalism from the University of Montana.

Marshall Swearingen

Writer/Editor

Marshall covers the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering and helps fulfill the college’s communications needs by designing and maintaining websites, coordinating graphic design and handling media inquiries, among other things. He has a B.A. in Engineering Sciences and more than five years of journalism experience.

Meaghan MacDonald-Pool

Content Producer

A native of central New Jersey, Meaghan joined the News Service as a Content Producer in 2019. She has previously worked as a professional sports reporter and sports graphic designer at newspapers in North Dakota, Minnesota and Montana. She has a bachelor’s degree in media arts and design from James Madison University.

Reagan Colyer

Communications Specialist

Reagan is the communications specialist for MSU's College of Agriculture. A native of the Pacific Northwest, she received a degree in journalism from the University of Montana and has experience with web, magazine and newspaper reporting. She has written on topics ranging from long-distance running to the history of the Civil Rights Movement and now produces feature stories, news clips and social media content related to agriculture.

Rachel Hergett

Writer/Editor

Rachel is a science writer covering the College of Letters and Science. In her varied journalism career, Rachel has covered everything from bluebirds to basketball for regional and national magazines and newspapers and the Associated Press. Before joining the news staff at MSU in 2019, she worked in the newsrooms of the Livingston Enterprise and Bozeman Daily Chronicle, where she most recently built the Ruckus arts publication. Outside of the office, Rachel is a longtime KGLT DJ and has a passion for music, food, the arts and the outdoors.

Kelly Gorham

Director of Visual Media

Kelly coordinates photography and video for campus and external partners and external media. He earned his bachelor's degree in photography from MSU in 1995 and has been a staff photographer for newspapers in Montana and Nevada, was a corporate photographer in Seattle and a stringer for Associated Press. Kelly's photos have appeared in such publications as the New York Times, Washington Post, L.A. Times, National Geographic Explorer, Sports Illustrated and USA Today.

As a champion for the photo industry, Kelly is a board member of the Seattle/NW chapter of the American Society of Media photographers and a long-time member of the National Press Photographers Association. Kelly is an alumnus of the Kalish Workshop of visual storytelling. Kelly also regularly lectures on various photography topics in university classes and workshops.

Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez

Photographer

Adrian joined the Montana State University communications team as staff photographer in June 2016. Through his experiences both abroad and at home, Adrian found his true passion in photojournalism. In October 2009, he was selected to attend the Eddie Adams Workshop, where he was awarded the Nikon Achievement Scholarship for best student work. From political races to soccer matches, immigration issues to award shows, Adrian has shot on assignment for Agencia EFE, Agence France-Presse, Getty Images and Landov, among others and his work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, National Public Radio, and Time Magazine.

Adrian is fluent in Spanish and English.

Saul Mastandrea

Video Producer

Saul brings a wealth of experience to his role with University Communications. He produces videos that support MSU's strategic priorities and support university news and marketing initiatives. A Montana native and MSU alum in Film and Photographer (2002), Saul's diverse background includes university communications, language instruction and even promotional videos in the food industry. 

Justin W. Arndt

Director of Web & Digital Communications

After graduating from the Media and Theatre Arts program here at MSU, Justin wandered across the globe with his wife to London, where he discovered podcasting, online media, and web development (and fish and chips!) You can find him on the tennis court, in the recording studio, or on the mountain. He also moonlights as a cat bed. Justin received his MS (it's called an MSc in the UK) in Electronic Publishing from City University London. 

John Blixt

Software Engineer II

John is a native of Bozeman along with his wife Melissa. They are now raising a fifth generation Montanan, daughter Julia. The three of them love to fish, hike, and enjoy the outdoors. Recently, John graduated from MSU's Computer Science department, earning degrees from both Montana schools. John worked at wolfSSL as a software engineering intern where he worked with embedded systems. He also worked as a student developer and held a fixed term position with MSU's Web and Digital Media Services.

Kaitlyn Goodall @taswyn

Web Content Management Systems Programmer

Kaitlyn is primarily responsible for content management services and related development. While not native to Montana, she is ecstatic to be back in mountain country, and particularly to be in Bozeman and at MSU. She is enthusiastic about usability and interoperability, with a focus on people and in accommodating natural and fluid interaction across systems.

 

Spencer Ward

Software Engineer I

Sandra Bunch

Managing Director of University Printing Services

Sandy has been with the Montana State University system and with Printing Services since 1980. As Managing Director, she is responsible for customer service and project management. Contact Sandy for general information or to arrange services through University Printing Services.

Kenneth Shelley

Production Specialist

Ken is a nationally registered Emergency Medical Technician and has 26 years of service with Fire and Emergency Medical Services. He also has 35 years of experience in the printing business including 11 years at MSU with University Printing Services from 1992 to 2003 as a Duplication Machine Operator. His past experience makes Ken a valuable asset in our shop and we are very happy that he decided to "Come Home'. Ken is an avid photographer.

Jim Alley

Press Operator

Jim joined University Printing as a Press Operator in December 2015. He earned his degree in Production Printing from Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming. Jim is a native of Montana and has over 20 years of experience in the printing industry. He is responsible for coordinating with customer service and pre-press staff to complete all offset printing projects.

Tara Gunsch

Business Manager

Tara is a native Montanan who started at MSU in August of 2001, working in the Business Office, Payroll, the Center for Biofilm Engineering and HR before coming to University Printing in June of 2016.  She is the Business Manager and handles Accounts Payable and Receivable among other office responsibilities.  Please feel free to contact her with any questions you may have.