Staff

The operations director is responsible for managing the organizational operations of MTCC, and ensuring strong oversight and accountability for MTCC's programs and grantees. Eric grew up in Spokane, WA, and attended Washington State University, where he earned a bachelors degree in Liberal Arts with an International Emphasis. He joined MTCC in 2008, having most recently served as Unit Director with the Boy & Girls Clubs of Central Virginia. Prior to that, he served as Education Director for The Salvation Army in Asheville, NC. Eric brings prior experience as an AmeriCorps member, crew leader, nonprofit site supervisor and Campus Corps Program Manager to his role as Operations Director.

Brian manages the MTCC VISTA project, MTCC's anti-poverty program which utilizes campus community partnerships to forward community-owned solutions to Montana's most pressing needs. He oversees proposals, recruitment, and training for campus and community-based VISTA placements, and he provides technical assistance to faculty and staff who wish to bring the MTCC VISTA project to their communities. Brian is a native of Minnesota, and graduate of the Univerity of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Prior to his work as a staff member with MTCC, Brian served as an AmeriCorps*VISTA (in Sand Coulee, MT) and VISTA leader (with MTCC).

The executive director pays primary attention toward member institution chief executive officers and is responsible for the leadership and direction of the organization. The position has a statewide focus. As director, Dean has full responsibility for the working relationship with MTCC's Board of Directors and its Executive Committee, is the Board liaison, and is responsible for the Board's organization and development. He is responsible for the Compact's fund development and for maintaining working relationships with national and other state Compacts. Dean received his baccalaureate degree in physiology from Colorado State University. He received his master's degree in public health and his doctoral degree in higher education administration from The University of Montana. He has written numerous publications and made several professional presentations in both higher education and civic engagement

As VISTA Leader, Amanda supports AmeriCorps*VISTA members who are leveraging resources and building capacity for anti-poverty efforts around the state of Montana. She plays a strategic role in recruiting members and host sites, guiding VISTAs through their work plans, helping facilitate trainings, coordinating National Days of Service, and assisting in the promotion of VISTA projects in the media. Amanda is a native Montanan and a graduate of The University of Montana, where she earned a degree in Journalism. In 2011-2012, Amanda served as a VISTA member at Montana Public Radio, coordinating documentary projects in the Missoula County Public Schools.

The Administrative Associate assists with office management, billing and subcontracting procedures, as well as supporting AmeriCorps member file management and time-keeping systems. A Montana native, with a 13-year stint in Portland, OR, Kathy Peterson is currently enrolled at The University of Montana, working towards an Elementary Education degree. Kathy brings 15 years of clerical experience to MTCC. Her organizational skills are an asset to MTCC's network and its programs.

As Program Assessment Specialist, Kirsten serves the partnering campuses of the Montana and Colorado Campus Compacts as the primary staff person responsible for program impact data of the Compact Service Corps AmeriCorps program. She provides training to program coordinators in data collection and works with them to develop instruments for tracking performance measures. She gathers, compiles, monitors and analyzes program data to be presented to a variety of stakeholders. Kirsten comes to MTCC with thirteen years combined experience in business and non-profit program management and five years of experience in data collection and analysis. She received her B.S. in Business Administration and Management, B.A. in Social Psychology/Research, a graduate certificate in Women's and Gender Studies, and is working towards a M.A. in Sociology/Inequality and Social Justice from The University of Montana.

The network services director is responsible for expanding MTCC's impact across Montana and the region, and the programs offered to member instituions. Josh works with the MTCC VISTA program to recruit new sites and provide technical assistance to current sites, the Campus Corps program , the network services director works with the Montana Campus Corps program to expand its impact in underrepresented areas. In addition, he works closely with the staff and administrators around the state and region to expand the reach of MTCC's mission across the state and region. Josh received his B.A. in political science from The University of Montana in Missoula before serving in the Peace Corps in Latvia from 1997-1999. After completing his service, he returned to Missoula and joined MTCC as an AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader before joining the MTCC staff.