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Master of Social Work
No full textThis portfolio documents my academic and professional development throughout the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University of Montana. Using my practicum experiences in juvenile probation and anonymous crisis intervention work, this paper integrates critical reflection, theory-informed application, and evidence-based practice to demonstrate my readiness as an advanced integrated social work practitioner.
Guided by the five elements of advanced integrated practice, the portfolio is structured around the ten core competencies outlined by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Key theoretical frameworks such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and trauma-informed care are discussed in relation to field experiences. Themes of cultural humility, systems accountability, and power dynamics are discussed throughout the narrative.
Supporting appendices provide applied demonstrations through program evaluations, treatment plans, policy analyses, and community-based reports. This portfolio reflects a commitment to justice-centered, culturally responsive, and ethically grounded social work practice.https://scholarworks.umt.edu/grad_portfolios/1484/thumbnail.jp
Master of Social Work Portfolio
No full texthttps://scholarworks.umt.edu/grad_portfolios/1481/thumbnail.jp
INVESTIGATING NON-INVASIVE SURVEY METHODS AND BUILDING A PREDICTIVE OCCUPANCY MODEL FOR HARLEQUIN DUCKS (HISTRIONICUS HISTRIONICUS) IN WESTERN MONTANA AND NORTHERN IDAHO
No full textHarlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus; HADU) are an imperiled sea duck that breeds along white-water mountain streams, but challenges in surveying them have made it difficult to understand population trends in their Northern Rocky Mountain breeding population. In this study we had two objectives: (1) evaluate non-invasive survey methods for detecting HADU on their breeding grounds in Western Montana and Northern Idaho, and (2) develop an occupancy model to predict potential breeding stream use for HADU across the region. First, we assessed the efficacy of ground-based foot surveys (GBS), environmental DNA (eDNA), and camera traps to detect breeding HADU during time periods corresponding to the incubation and brood rearing phases of their annual cycle. GBS (0.51, SE: 0.108) and eDNA (0.49, SE: 0.146) had the highest mean detection probabilities during incubation season and time-lapse detection camera traps (0.16, SE: 0.067) were more effective than motion detection camera traps. We found that combining methods could improve our cumulative detection probability in a single visit to a stream; taking five eDNA samples in tandem with one GBS achieved a cumulative detection probability of 0.97 (SE: 0.037), emphasizing the power of combining methods. Second, we built an integrated species distribution model for breeding HADU using detection / non-detection data from GBS and eDNA samples collected from 2009 to 2024 across 1,025 one-mile stream segments. Our results indicated that stream geomorphology such as stream features like pools and braiding, human disturbance from changes to the landscape, and mean annual flow are important for predicting HADU site-use. Using posterior estimates from the occupancy model, we predicted site-use to streams within our sampling frame across the region. Predicted site use indicates that the northwest portion of the study area around Glacier National Park has the highest probability of site-use (0.29, SD: 0.07). To our knowledge this is the first large-scale statistical model for HADU site-use in Western Montana and Northern Idaho. By integrating findings from both chapters, we offer actionable strategies and recommendations for agencies to more efficiently detect and protect HADU
HUMAN-BEAR CONFLICTS IN WESTERN MONTANA: MAPPING ATTRACTANTS AND PREVENTION EFFORTS
No full textHuman-bear conflicts (conflicts) are rising across North America, largely due to the expansion of the wildland-urban interface into bear habitat. These conflicts are driven by ecological and human factors, including habitat fragmentation, loss of natural food sources and the widespread availability of human-related attractants such as garbage, fruit trees, and bird feeders. While studies increasingly examine the ecological and spatial predictors of conflicts, fewer have explored how attractant types, land cover changes, and local geography shape conflict trends. Montana communities have long managed bear conflicts, but recent increases in incidents and human-caused bear mortalities—alongside expanding grizzly bear populations—have prompted growing interest in Bear Smart Community initiatives modeled after the 2002 framework developed in British Columbia.
This professional paper examines two dimensions of human-bear conflict in western Montana. First, it investigates the spatial and temporal distribution of human-black bear conflicts in Missoula and Ravalli Counties using data from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 2 (2017– 2022). While land cover change and housing growth were not significant during this period, conflicts consistently clustered near roads, streams, and forest edges—particularly in Ravalli County. These findings support establishing “bear buffer zones” along riparian corridors to help reduce conflict risk in developing wildland-urban interface areas.
Secondly, the paper reviews community-level strategies used to prevent conflicts across western Montana from 2002 to 2024, summarizing efforts at watershed, county, and town scales. Despite varied approaches, one common challenge persists. This challenge has to do with unsecured garbage, which remains the leading attractant and is often the hardest to manage, especially in communities lacking enforcement capacity. This issue mirrors findings from communities in British Columbia that have adopted the Bear Smart Community framework. The research highlights that long-term success of Bear Smart Community initiatives depend not only on infrastructure and policy, but also on understanding community values, social norms, and barriers to behavior change. Community buy-in and social acceptance are critical to shifting norms around attractant management.
This work informs future land use and wildlife management planning, emphasizing the need to integrate conflict mitigation with community-focused strategies to support coexistence in Montana’s expanding wildland-urban interface—particularly as grizzly bear populations expand beyond core recovery zones
Changes in Efficiency and Magnitude of Recharge due to Climate Change for Headwater Catchments in the Mountain West
No full textChanges to groundwater recharge and stream flow were simulated from downscaled CMIP6 global climate models in a headwater catchment of the Blackfoot River, MT. A calibrated, 3-D, coupled surface and groundwater GSFLOW model, forced with minimum and maximum temperature, and precipitation from a downscaled CMIP6 simulation was used to quantify groundwater recharge and stream flow. The model was calibrated against measured groundwater head and stream flow using observed temperature and precipitation boundary conditions. The calibrated model was then forced with downscaled temperature and precipitation from the CANESM5 model for the SSP245, 370 and 585 scenarios, as well as a manual increase to temperature only using historical climate. Groundwater recharge was quantified as the flow out of the soil zone into the saprolite or lower bedrock layer, as simulated by the MODFLOW UZF package. Results indicated that despite lower snowfall fractions and a loss of recharge efficiency, the predicted increase in precipitation resulted in an overall increase in groundwater recharge and stream flow in the watersheds. Differences in geology resulted in the lower bedrock K (Cap Wallace) watershed receiving a more stochastic increase in recharge a month earlier than the higher bedrock K (North Fork) watershed. While the magnitude of average annual recharge was similar between watersheds, the Cap Wallace watershed was predicted to have greater increases in baseflow, while the North Fork watershed maintained slightly increased late season flow due to enhanced bedrock groundwater storage. Simulations which only increased temperature resulted in reduced groundwater recharge regardless of underlying geology. These results had important implications for predicting changes to groundwater recharge under climate change, as the covariant changes in precipitation and temperature could directly affect groundwater recharge and stream flow generation
Montana Kaimin, April 3, 2025
No full textStudent newspaper of the University of Montana, Missoula.https://scholarworks.umt.edu/studentnewspaper/11171/thumbnail.jp
Montana International Choral Festival 2025, Missoula County, Montana
No full textThis study was conducted for the Montana International Choral Festival to provide insight into the characteristics of attendees of the 2025 Montana International Choral Festival hosted in Missoula, Montana. Three hundred ninety-four attendees of the event completed the survey. Results show that the majority of respondents were relatively local, with 79% of respondents being residents of Montana and 83% of Montana respondents residing in Missoula County. Out-of-county respondents spent an average of 4.1 nights in Missoula, reporting a total spending of $100,274.00, mostly in rental home/cabin/condo, hotel/motel/bed and breakfasts, and restaurants/bars. Results provide event organizers with useful data for future event planning, making improvements to the event, event marketing/promotion, and understanding the visitor spending associated with the event
GLI Weekly, September 2, 2025
No full textGLI Advising Alert -- Have a Beyond the Classroom Experience to Share? -- Fall happenings -- Become a Cultural Liaison -- Attend the Study Abroad Fair 2025 -- Explore opportunities at the Fall Jobs Fest -- Don\u27t Miss the President\u27s Lecture Series with Robert Putnam -- Get Involved in Missoula: Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities Next Wee
GLI Weekly, September 16, 2025
No full textJoin us for the Global Homecoming Reception -- Beth Hubble is named the Most Inspirational Teacher of the Year -- Nominate Your Favorite Instructor to Teach a GLI Class -- Are You Taking GLBD 194 This Semester? -- New Beyond the Classroom Blog Posts -- The Value of International Education -- Have a Beyond the Classroom Experience to Share? -- Fall Happenings -- Call for Experiential Learning Funding Proposals -- Attend Arnold Swanberg Lecture in Military History -- Volunteer in the Missoula Communit