Student Staff
The MSU Leadership Institute offers both work-study and internship employment positions
to students who would like to promote leadership across Montana State University and
the state of Montana. Join us if you crave the opportunity to be part of a dynamic
environment that offers opportunities to build confidence with your work skills. Duties
include: public relations and community outreach, presenting leadership seminars,
hosting guest speakers, facilitating the Leadership Film Series, maintaining the website,
and more!
Vanessa Zamora Moreno
Senior Associate
Vanessa was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia. A beautiful, crazy, and magical eight
million people city. She encourages everyone to visit her country and evidence its
magical realism (as Gabriel Garcia Marquez describes). She moved to the United States
when she was 17 years old in pursuit of knowledge and opportunity. Currently, she
is a fourth-year student at MSU, working on a double degree in Psychology and Business
Management. Coming from a big city, Vanessa has fallen in love with the peace and
kindness that the Bozeman community offers. She hopes to work with organizations that
help those who have gone through traumatic events to recover the ownership of their
lives, through success, peace, and self-knowledge. Nowadays, Vanessa is a member of
the Boardroom Bobcats Program; and also teaches Latinx dancing with Sizzling Salsa.
She encourages you to come and dance with her. In her free time, you will find her
learning or practicing a new art skill, drinking coffee, and ready to have an adventure.
Kass Thompson
Senior Associate
Kassidi is currently a Junior pursuing a dual degree in Cell Biology & Neuroscience
and Hispanic Studies, and she plans to become a physician dedicated to equitable and
empathetic healthcare for all. Born and raised just outside of Denver, Colorado, Kassidi's
passion for leadership began with positions as Class President and Vice president
in student government and head of an annual Relay For Life event in her home county;
she is so excited to continue working as a servant leader at the MSU Leadership Institute
and to get more involved on campus this year! If Kassidi isn't studying or in class
she is probably somewhere reading a good book, enjoying a coffee shop, or partaking
in one of the many outdoor activities Bozeman has to offer.
Lorelei Michael-Owens
Student Associate
Lorelei Michael-Owens is a second year student studying Political Science and History. Growing
up in Bozeman, she has a great love of the outdoors, and can't imagine living away
from the mountains. Lorelei is deeply invested in working within communities to create spaces for collective
growth and empowerment, and spends lots of her free time working with local nonprofits
and other advocacy groups. She is excited to be working with the Leadership Institute
this year, and to see what experiences the year has to offer!
Kelton Devlin
Student Associate
Kelton Devlin is a second-year student studying Fish & Wildlife Ecology and Management.
He grew up in a lot of places, including Washington State, North Carolina, and Okinawa,
Japan. Kelton has a great appreciation of the outdoors and the wildlife that inhabit
the many different parts of the United States. He enjoys going fishing, hiking, camping,
and overall improving his knowledge of the natural world. If you want to find Kelton,
he is either sitting somewhere listening to music, or wandering around campus reading
the research posters at MSU. He is looking forward to gaining experience as a servant
leader, and becoming an active member of the Bozeman/Montana State University community.
Meghan Rodriguez
Student Associate
Meghan is currently a sophomore studying Environmental Science. She was born and raised
in the small town Buena Vista, Colorado and because of that she has grown to love
being outside. In her off time she enjoys rock climbing, rafting, hiking and photography.
Through her prior experience being a mentor with elevateHER, Youth In Action and many
other clubs Meghan found a passion for being a leader. She also enjoys volunteering
her time any chance she gets and has spent her time in highschool volunteering with
River Watch of Colorado and within her community. She is very excited to be joining
the Leadership Institute team and can’t wait to grow as an individual and benefit
the MSU community.
Breck Blandford
Intern
BreckBlandford is a first year student at MSU. She is studying Business Marketing with a focus of
international business. She was born and raised in San Diego, California. Growing up close to nature, she is very excited
about being in Montana and exploring more around Bozeman. The snow will definitely
be interesting to get used to, but it will also be a lot of fun. Breck plans to work with companies overseas, not sure exactly what her path is, but travel
and international business is something she is interested in. This is her first year
with the Leadership Institute and is excited to learn more about being in a professional
workplace and be a leader on campus.
Brandon Cabaniss
Intern
Brandon is a first year student from Albuquerque, New Mexicopursuing a degree in Neuroscience and Cell-biology with intentions of on day being a physician. Through the Leadership Institute, Brandon aspires to not only develop his leadership skills, but help improve MSU in the process.
In his free time Brandon can be found outside with his friends skiing, biking, hiking or out on the trails
in his truck looking for an adventure.
Hannah Beeman
Intern
Hannah Beeman is a first year student currently studying pre-nursing in hopes of becoming
an ER nurse in the future. She was born and raised in Tok, Alaska, where acquired
a love and appreciation for outdoor adventures and conservation. Outside of the leadership
institute, you can probably find her out getting coffee, going to the farmers market
with friends, hiking, or skiing. Her leadership journey began in middle school, and
high school, with active involvement in student government as student council president.
Hannah is excited to be a part of the MSU leadership team, and she hopes to inspire
other students to be confident in their own leadership skills to use their voices
to make positive change in the world.
Lindsey Frishmuth
Intern
Lindsey is a freshman studying Kinesiology from Arvada, Colorado. Once Lindsey has
her undergraduate degree, she plans to attend graduate school for her doctorate in
physical therapy. This interest in human health has led to Lindsey being involved
in health-related volunteer work and campus events. Being from Colorado has given
Lindsey plenty of outdoor leadership opportunities, including working as a teacher
at Outdoor Lab, an outdoor education facility for middle schoolers. When not involved
in the Leadership Institute or in class, Lindsey can usually be found on the ski hill
or doing something outside.
