Team

Carina Beck serves in the role of Vice Provost and Director of the Hilleman Scholars Program at Montana State University. In her role, Dr. Beck is responsible for several offices and programs that work toward a common goal of creating transformational learning, development, and engagement opportunities for MSU students.

Beck oversees the MSU Hilleman Scholars Program, a scholarship and leadership program for Montana Pell-eligible students. In addition to personalized student success support, the program serves as a living laboratory to research and develop innovative practices that promote better outcomes for all students who attend Montana State University. Through its innovative curriculum program design, and partnerships with individuals and programs across Montana, the MSU Hilleman Scholars Program is well situated to produce Montana’s future leaders.

In addition, Beck oversees the Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success, which is comprised of the following offices: Career, Internship & Student Employment Services; Office of Student Success; Office of Financial Education; Office of Return-to-Learn; Bobcat Mentoring; Montana’s Own Scholarship Program; and Faculty Early Alert Program. In support of the public land grant mission of MSU, the offices and services are designed to collaborate to advance the institution’s strategic plan, Choosing Promise.

During her time at MSU, Beck also helped establish other MSU offices including Blackstone Launch Pad, MSU Leadership Institute (co-founded with Jim McCray) and re-established the U.S. Department of Education TRIO SSS program.

Along with her husband, Lawrence, Carina has called Montana home for over 30 years. They share two boys – Lawrence & AJ - and love for the Montana seasons and outdoors.

Mo serves as the Program Manager for the Morrill Scholars. She has been at the
AYCSS since December of 2023. Her goal is to help retain students in college by
helping them with solid decision-making and assisting each student in planning a path toward their chosen career. Mo was raised on a cattle ranch in SE MT. She has been in Bozeman since 2005, and before that taught school at Crow Agency, MT, Hay, MT and served for over 20 years in the United States Marine Corps.

Mo’s belief is that life is an adventure best lived by keeping all things balanced. She is a first-generation college student with a degree in Education.

Kendal Higginbotham is Alaska-born, and Montana-raised; she has lived Helena, Montana most of her life. She is currently a Junior studying Studio Arts with a focus in Drawing. She spends most of her time outside of school getting in nature hiking, fishing, and hunting.

Loralei Dawson is a second-year student at MSU from the Central Coast of California, majoring in Earth Sciences- Geography with a minor in History. She is a member of the Spirit of the West Marching Band, and the University Band. She loves the outdoors, crafting, crocheting, playing music and making new friends!

Tabitha is originally from Helena, Montana, but moved to Bozeman to study early childhood education and psychology at MSU. She enjoys hanging out with her cat, Zinnia, and playing instruments in her free time.