BOZEMAN — Tricia Seifert, professor and interim dean of the Montana State University College of Education, Health and Human Development, has been selected as the college’s new dean after a national search. She will begin her new position April 4.
“I am delighted to announce Tricia Seifert as the new dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Development,” said Robert Mokwa, MSU’s executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. “Her extensive leadership experience, combined with her dedication to student success and innovative research, make her an exceptional choice for this important leadership role.”
Seifert has been at MSU since 2014, when she joined the faculty in the College of Education, Health and Human Development. Since then, she has served as a program leader in adult and higher education, as interim director of the Science Math Resource Center, as head of the Department of Education and, since Aug. 2022, as interim dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Development.
“I am honored to serve and lead the College of Education, Health and Human Development,” Seifert said. “Whether EHHD students, faculty and staff are working with world-class athletes, beginning readers or families saving for their future, we learn by doing to realize MSU’s vision to transform lives and communities.”
Seifert was one of three finalists who interviewed on campus in March. The interview process included meetings with faculty, administrators and students. Members of the public were invited to participate in an open forum and submit comments online.
In addition to her work as a professor and administrator, Seifert researches the experiences students have while attending college, along with the role the college environment plays in students’ learning, growth, development and success. Seifert is co-author of the widely cited book “How College Affects Students” and has published many articles in a wide variety of scholarly journals.
She has received numerous awards throughout her career, including the College of Education, Health and Human Development’s Most Valuable Professor Award and its Outstanding Research Award, both in 2016. She also received the 2015 Award of Honor from the Canadian Association for College and University Student Services and the 2010 Emerging Scholar Award from ACPA College Student Educators International. In 2017, she was chosen to deliver a lecture as part of MSU’s annual Provost’s Distinguished Lecturer Series.
Before MSU, Seifert was an assistant professor at the University of Toronto.
She has a doctorate in student affairs administration and research from the University of Iowa, a master’s in college student services administration from Oregon State University and bachelor’s degrees in sociology and political science from Illinois Wesleyan University.
Seifert replaces former Dean Alison Harmon, who became MSU’s vice president for research and economic development in 2022.
“I extend my deepest appreciation to the search committee, chaired by Brett Gunnink, dean of the MSU Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering, for their diligent and thoughtful work throughout the search process,” Mokwa said. “Their commitment to finding the best candidate has resulted in an outstanding choice for the college and the university.”
