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University of Montana Blackstone LaunchPad intro video from the Content Monkeys 

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Graduation Matters Montana 2014

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UM, Missoula Schools to Showcase Innovative Partnership

MISSOULA – The University of Montana and Missoula County Public Schools have embarked on a groundbreaking collaboration called SHAPE P20 to transform the relationship among classrooms, schools and student experiences across the education continuum – with the potential to shape the future of public education in the United States.

Faculty and staff from UM, the Montana Digital Academy and MCPS will gather Thursday, May 8, in UM’s Phyllis J. Washington Education Center to present new and innovative blended-learning project models to invited guests from the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, the University and Missoula public schools.

“What a privilege to bring together exemplary K-12 teachers, University professors and academic administrators from both sides to refine and create leading-edge approaches to learning,” said Roberta Evans, dean of UM’s education college. “It is exactly this shoulder-to-shoulder learning that excites education professionals and fosters true change in school systems and universities.”

 Blended learning, the combining of Web-based educational technology with highly effective face-to-face instruction of students, is the basis for a new graduate level course created by the Montana Digital Academy as a part of the SHAPE P20 project, said Robert Currie, executive director of the academy.

The course, Montana Online Blended Learning for K-12 Educators, otherwise known as MOBL K-12, was developed by Ryan Schrenk, MTDA project manager, and introduced teams of MCPS teachers and administrators to several different models of blended learning.

“I’m pleased to see the innovative blended-learning projects developed by Missoula County Public School teachers move from creative ideas in January to concrete proposals today that will be implemented by the district next fall,” Schrenk said.

“MTDA provides online courses to thousands of students across the state each year, and we have been looking for a way to introduce blended learning as an option for schools,” Schrenk said. “Once again, Washington Foundation support and the leadership of Dean Roberta Evans gave us the opportunity to be a part of the innovative SHAPE P20 project.”

The MCPS team focused on researching and planning projects that later will be implemented in elementary, middle or high school classrooms in Missoula.

“Missoula County Public Schools is proud to have more than 40 innovative educators participating in this class,” said Hatton Littman, MCPS director of technology and communication for Missoula County Public Schools. “Professional development opportunities like this demonstrate our investment in high-quality teaching staff and always enable teachers to bring new projects and ideas back into their classrooms.”

Littman said MCPS continues to make progress on a district goal to transform the learning environment and personalize professional growth through professional development opportunities like this one.

“We value our partnerships with the University of Montana and the Washington Foundation,” she said, “which make realizing our goals possible.”

For more information on SHAPE P20 and its blended-learning component, visit online or call 406-243-4911.

-UM News Service

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Code Montana 

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Irizarry Named Director of the Blackstone LaunchPad at MSU

Rob Irizarry, an entrepreneur and founder of StartupBozeman.com, has been selected to be the director of the Blackstone LaunchPad at Montana State University. He will begin his duties immediately.

“We are at a unique point in history where entrepreneurship has become a more accessible and viable career path than ever before,” Irizarry said. “I’m thrilled to join the LaunchPad program. By leveraging existing processes and collaborating with the MSU Leadership team to make this program accessible to the entire student population, we have the opportunity to significantly grow the number of students who pursue entrepreneurship. Companies will be built and jobs will be created as a result.”

Irizarry has nearly three decades of experience working with hardware and software technology in the finance, garment and automotive industries. He moved to Montana in 1999 to join RightNow Technologies, where he served for 12 years, first as director of technical support and later as director of product management.

Irizarry has also been involved in a variety of roles in multiple startups, including CodeMontana, a statewide program that teaches computer programming to high school students, and StartupBozeman.com, which works to promote Bozeman as a vibrant startup community. In addition, he has worked in the public and private sector around the world, including in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Irizarry has also worked at MSU as an adjunct business instructor and has served as Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the MSU Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship. He has a bachelor's degree in electronic engineering technology.

“Rob is an excellent choice to direct the Blackstone LaunchPad at MSU,” said MSU Provost Martha Potvin. “He will bring tremendous energy and creativity to the role, and we’ve already seen through his work as an adjunct professor and Entrepreneur-in-Residence that he has great rapport with students. Under his leadership, we are confident that students and alumni will learn valuable skills and strategies to help them as they consider launching new business ventures.”

The Blackstone LaunchPad is a collaboration of the Blackstone Charitable Foundation, MSU, the University of Montana and Headwaters RC&D. The program is made possible by a three-year, $2 million grant from the Blackstone Charitable Foundation.

With a physical presence at MSU and the University of Montana, Blackstone LaunchPad has the potential to generate some 380 new ventures in Montana over the next five years, according to the Blackstone Charitable Foundation. The program is open to all 30,000 students at MSU and the University of Montana, regardless of major.

Blackstone LaunchPad is modeled after a successful program developed at the University of Miami in 2008, which has generated 1,633 business proposals, 324 new jobs and drawn nearly 2,938 participants. Each new regional program is linked together, drawing ideas and best practices from the existing programs, and giving student entrepreneurs access to a national community of more than 200,000 of their peers across nine affiliated campuses and expert advisers for their ventures.

Montana is now the fifth Blackstone LaunchPad region, following Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida.

-MSU News Service

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Serve Montana Scholarships Available to Montana High School Seniors

Students earn $1,000 for college by giving 100 volunteer hours

HELENA, MT- The Governor's Office of Community Service, Montana Campus Compact, and Student Assistance Foundation announced today that the 2013 Youth Serve Montana Scholarship is now available for up to 100 Montana high school seniors. It is the eighth year for this exciting scholarship opportunity aimed at students dedicated to volunteering.

"This is a great opportunity to recognize students who are committed to service and to giving back to their communities," said Governor Steve Bullock. "The Youth Serve Montana Scholarships honor these students' investment in our state and help them continue their education here in Montana."

The Youth Serve Montana Scholarship application form, guidelines, and FAQs can be found online. Completed applications, proof of volunteer hours, confirmation of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and enrollment in a Montana post-secondary institution must be submitted to the Governor's Office of Community Service by April 15, 2013.

The 2013 Youth Serve Montana Scholarships have been made possible through support from the Governor's Office of Community Service, Montana Campus Compact, and Student Assistance Foundation.

"It is Student Assistance Foundation's honor to support the Youth Serve Montana Scholarship program," said Kelly Cresswell, vice president of Foundation Activities. "Commitment on the part of Montana students to giving back to their communities, combined with a desire to attain higher education, provides a strong foundation going forward for our state, and generations to come."

"My colleagues and I are proud to recognize civically engaged students," said Jane Karas, Ph.D., chair of Montana Campus Compact and president of Flathead Valley Community College. "These scholarships honor their commitment to their communities while helping them achieve their educational goals." 

The Governor's Office of Community Service expands and promotes national service and volunteerism in Montana and engages citizens in service and emergency preparedness. Visit serve.mt.gov.

Montana Campus Compact is Montana's largest higher-education network and works to improve community life by educating students for civic and social responsibility. Visit www.mtcompact.org.

Student Assistance Foundation is a nonprofit Montana corporation that provides students with knowledge and tools to pursue and fund their postsecondary education.  Funds generated by SAF are returned to Montanans in the form of education grants, scholarships and public benefit programs - to date totaling more than $25 million.  Visit www.safmt.org  or www.SmartAboutCollege.org.