The University of Montana has begun its fall semester by introducing two new colleges, each led by an interim dean. The previous College of Humanities and Sciences, which was the largest academic unit at UM, has been reorganized into the College of Science and a college of humanities and social sciences.
“These two new colleges will elevate our academic impact and sharpen our ability to tell UM’s story,” said UM President Seth Bodnar. “This revised structure will allow us to more loudly tout and build upon UM’s academic strengths in a more focused, deliberate way.”
National searches for permanent deans are scheduled for the 2025-26 academic year. In the meantime, Bruce Bowler will serve as interim dean for the College of Science, while Christina Yoshimura will act as interim dean for the humanities college.
The College of Science includes departments such as biological sciences, chemistry and biochemistry, computer science, math, and physics and astronomy. The college of humanities and social sciences encompasses English, history, philosophy, world languages and cultures, anthropology, Native American studies, economics, communication studies, psychology, political science, sociology and criminology. An official name for this college will be selected with approval from the Montana Board of Regents during the coming year.
Dr. Bowler is a professor of chemistry and biochemistry who joined UM in 2006. He leads the federally funded Center for Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics at UM that supports research across several departments on campus.
“I’m excited to help establish the new College of Science,” Bowler said. “In particular I’m eager to promote our strong academic and research programs in the sciences and to increase awareness of our excellence both within Montana and beyond. My goal is to help drive increased enrollment and opportunity for students across all science disciplines.”
Bowler specializes in protein chemistry with over 100 peer-reviewed publications. He has helped secure more than $16 million in grants for UM. He also played a significant role in developing science curricula at UM by initiating its Biochemistry Program in 2009—the first B.S. in Biochemistry in Montana—and graduate programs in biochemistry and biophysics.
Dr. Yoshimura is a professor trained in both communication studies and clinical mental health counseling who joined UM as faculty in 2006. Her interdisciplinary work combines scholarship with teaching practice; her research covers how families deal with challenges like bereavement or mental health diagnoses as well as topics such as cross-cultural exchange.
“I am honored to bring my experience and respect for both the social-scientific and humanistic intellectual traditions to this year’s collaboration in building a new college,” Yoshimura said. “I look forward to working with faculty, students and staff to develop a strong college identity – one that we can communicate proudly within and beyond the University.”
Yoshimura recently served as chair of UM’s Faculty Senate during planning efforts related to this reorganization. She also completed a term leading her discipline’s national academic association.
