1. Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
University Hall I Missoula, Montana 59812-3344 I t: 406.243.4689 I f: 406.243.5937
March 4, 2015
MS in Academic Advising Certificate Program
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66502
To Whom it May Concern:
Kathleen O’Leary is the primary academic advisor at the University of Montana’s Bitterroot College
located in Hamilton, MT. She has helped to create this higher education satellite of the University of
Montana (UM) in Missoula from scratch. Most importantly, Kathleen has developed the advising system
at Bitterroot College, coordinated with advisors on the UM-Missoula campus, and served the needs of
many students. The students at Bitterroot College are a mix of traditional college-aged students and non-
traditional students, many of whom never thought they would be able to attend college. Most of these
students are place-bound by unfavorable socio-economic conditions. Often their world views and
experiences are very limited, while their aspirations for themselves and their families are very high.
Bitterroot College has a very challenging and unconventional higher education clientele and Kathleen has
exercised her role as primary advisor there with enthusiasm and skill.
In addition to academic advising, Kathleen is the person who students seek out for life and career advice.
She is open-minded and caring and they know it. She also steps in when there are student issues, some of
which are difficult to manage and include intimidating and even criminal behavior. Kathleen has worked
closely with the Dean of Students and others on the UM-Missoula campus and has been the front-line
person dealing with victims, unruly students, police, and others that are involved when such situations
arise. Frankly, we have been glad that she represents the University so well in these challenging situations
as she carries out her responsibilities with professionalism.
While Kathleen has developed the advising program at Bitterroot College, she also has played a
fundamental role in many other functions of the College. Bitterroot College is relatively new and it has a
very small permanent staff. All of the staff must participate in multiple tasks to ensure that the College
runs the best it can and serves its students well. Kathleen has stepped up to ensure the smooth functioning
of the College and its development over the 6 years of its existence. Not only has Kathleen become a
strong advisor, she has learned how to work with other support offices at UM-Missoula, has mastered
many of the policies for personnel, budget, and administrative management, and has kept her focus on
student success.
As the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs for the University of Montana with ultimate
oversight of Bitterroot College (the Director reports to me), it has been my pleasure to watch Kathleen’s
progress and the correlated progress of the College. That Kathleen is nearing the culmination of a degree
program is remarkable given the huge responsibility she has carried at Bitterroot College. This
accomplishment is a testimony to her dedication to the College and its students.
Sincerely,
Perry J. Brown
Provost and Vice-President for Academic Affairs