Meet Our Staff

mcaires@montana.edu

Matt earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Washington State University and a master’s degree in higher education administration and student affairs from the University of Vermont and a doctorate in higher education / adult education from the University of Wyoming. Matt currently serves as Dean of Students at Montana State University, where he provides oversight and support for a variety of programs including Student Conduct, the CARE Program (Behavioral Intervention Team), Fraternity & Sorority Life, Parent & Family Relations, Office of Disability Services and the Office of Student Engagement. He has previously supervised Recreational Sports & Fitness, Women’s Center, and the Diversity & Inclusion Student Commons (DISC). Matt was the 2019 receipt of the NASPA Scott Goodnight award for outstanding performance as a dean. Matt is passionate about anti-violence and anti-sexual violence work, especially in the context of higher education.  He is an avid mountain biker and backcountry skier, and he’s married to an incredible wife and a father of two of the world’s most dynamic little girls.

billmckenney@montana.edu

Bill McKenney serves as the Associate Dean of Students at Montana State University, primarily managing the university’s student conduct process. He earned his undergraduate degree at John Carroll University and a master’s from the University of Georgia. Bill has worked for over 20 years in higher education in housing, student programming, facilities & maintenance, and student conduct. Bill is pursuing his doctorate in Adult and Higher Education at Montana State. Originally from Michigan, Bill loves living and recreating with his family under Montana’s big sky.

erin.macdonald3@montana.edu

Erin has worked at Montana State University as Senior Assistant Dean of Students since 2006.  She holds degrees from Eastern Washington University and Oregon State University.  As a volunteer, she serves as a National Vice President for Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity and as a National Panhellenic Conference Area Advisor. Outside of work, you can often find Erin on the golf course. She has lived in Bozeman, MT for over 20 years and loves to spend time with her family and enjoy this beautiful state.

amber.king4@montana.edu

Amber graduated from MSU with a bachelor’s in psychology and then went on to explore the country earning a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR and working as a family therapist in Syracuse, NY. She returned to Bozeman and completed her PhD in Adult and Higher Education at MSU while working full time as the Assistant Dean of Students. Amber divides her work time with the MSU CARE program connecting students to resources on and off campus, and advising MSU’s nine fraternities. As a Pi Beta Phi, Amber values Fraternity Sorority Life and is dedicated to supporting this community of students. Originally from Old Forge, NY, Amber loves backpacking with her dog Atreyu, propagating plants, and working on crafty projects such as knitting and cross stitch.

kate.emmerich@montana.edu

Kate Emmerich is grateful to work in the Dean of Students office where she interacts with students on a daily basis as a Case Manager. As a member of the CARE team, Kate also works closely with students experiencing extenuating circumstances during their time at MSU. Kate graduated from Providence College with her bachelor’s degree in English literature and earned her master’s degree in English and Teaching from University of Montana. She is currently enrolled in MSU's American Studies doctoral program. Kate is passionate about student centered work, her community, family, friends, and playing outside. 

allison.gidley@montana.edu

Alli has worked in the Dean of Students Office at Montana State University (MSU) since 2014 and currently serves as a case manager for the CARE program. She started college at the University of Rochester and graduated from the University of Washington- Seattle with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. She holds two Master of Science Degrees in Health and Human Development, one with a concentration in Health, Education and Wellness in 2006, and the other with a concentration in Marriage and Family Counseling in 2014, both from MSU. Alli is also a non-tenure-track instructor at MSU and has a private practice as a counselor in Livingston, Montana. Alli lives in Livingston with her Black lab Torrey and husband, where she loves to mountain bike, trail run, ski in any manner imaginable (Nordic, backcountry & downhill) and spend time outdoors.

natalie.titus@montana.edu

Originally from Rhode Island, Natalie graduated from Bates College with a bachelor’s in both Philosophy and Political Science. She has experience working in club leadership, campus life, and the Title IX office from her time as a student and now serves as the assistant to the dean of students at Montana State. Outside of the office, Natalie enjoys being active and can be found getting to know Bozeman, cooking, reading, and spending time with family and friends.