It's a challenging time to be the chancellor of any university, and Montana Technological University is certainly no exception. But halfway through his first year leading Montana's only special focus institution, Les Cook seems to be reveling in all of it.
He can tick off the challenges faced by academia, one by one: institutions continue to experience diminishing resources, rising costs, increased competition, and new skepticism about the value of a college degree.
Specific to Tech, enrollment has been down for the past couple of years and the school is still adjusting to its changed status, no longer under the aegis of The University of Montana but subject to new demands and expectations within the university system.
"Although the space we're in may be worrisome to some, it can also be a great motivator for all," Cook says. "We have an opportunity to step back, review, and redefine who we are."
People are also reading…
Through fortuitous circumstance as well as design, Cook has the chance to build his own leadership team, and he has already made great strides in doing so. "We need to invest in people, and make sure we have the right people," he said.
A month ago, Cook announced a new provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, Steve Gammon. Tapping Gammon after a nationwide search made quick progress more likely. Gammon was already at Tech, serving as dean of the College of Letters, Sciences and Professional Studies, so he's a known quantity to students, faculty and administration. Also, it gave Cook the chance to fill another deanship.
In short order, Cook will get moving on a search to fill the position of vice chancellor for administration and finance. And he has hired a new chief of staff, Meredith Hinman. The Dillon native has worked in banking, sales, and as a paralegal, and that rich and diverse business-world experience will serve her well in this new role. "She's enormously organized— excellent attention to detail — and she's a very good writer," Cook says. "That will come in handy as we focus on market and message."
Cook is placing an emphasis on communication. That's why he's sending personal emails to students and faculty regularly. And he is eager for the school to "embrace technology" on a new level.
Each system and procedure is going to get a look to see where technology can assist. "We're Montana Technological University, for goodness' sake, and we're still signing time cards," he says with a grin.
That grin — which extends clear to the eyes — is a frequent sight around campus. He's having fun, day to day.
He clearly is enjoying the time he's spending with students, and he makes sure to carve out opportunities to do so each day. Such time can be almost forbidden fruit when he's so busy with other things, but priorities define the person, and this is clearly one Cook will not relinquish. It's been noticed by students.
Cook is determined to make each student's experience better. He urges students regularly to take advantage of all Butte has to offer — last week he sent an email reminding students of SnöFlinga; of Digger Ski Day at Discovery Ski Area ("I plan to be there and hope you do as well"); and of the joys of soaking at Fairmont Hot Springs.
The excitement over Butte is genuine. Cook is an enthusiastic skier, and over the past few months has been a frequent sighting at events like the Farmer's Market and the Butte Symphony in addition to everything Oredigger.
He's also been busily relationship-building with community leaders like Dave Palmer, Stephanie Sorini and others.
"The incredibly rich history history here, the setting, surrounded by mountains, the outdoor recreation — we should be leveraging all that to attract leaders, faculty, and students," he said. "When we advertise a job, we need to remind people where we are — to make it sound like a place you'd want to be."
"Other campuses can't offer this setting, this culture and history," he says. "Bozeman, Bloomington, Boulder — those places don't have what we have."
It's not all skiing and sightseeing. Cook is laser-focused on making rapid improvements — in recruitment, in team-building, in course offerings.
"For the immediate future we are focused on radically re-imagining how we recruit and enhancing the student experience with a concentration on student success, retention and graduation," he said.
A paragraph from the email he sent out campus-wide Jan. 8 is telling:
"I'm certain it will be a busy yet productive semester as we continue to focus our efforts on enrollment, student success and marketing and messaging," Cook wrote. "Over the course of the next month ADV Market Research and Consulting will join us on campus to share the results of the survey research they completed in the fall. Our consultant from Ruffalo Noel Levitz will return and spent time with admissions and enrollment as well as the recruiting team. In addition, a team from Marts & Lundy are here this week completing an external review of our advancement and alumni areas."
Also, Cook is hoping to gain approval for a new Earth Science and Engineering Ph.D. program at the March Board of Regents meeting, and the university is moving forward with planning for a Nursing Simulation Center, and within the already formidable Natural Resources Research Building, construction is about to begin on a new Schweitzer Engineering Laboratory power-systems lab for the Electronic Engineering Department.
Cook has the place fairly vibrating with energy and activity. Along the way in 2020, the institution will pause to celebrate its 120th anniversary.
It's evident in that time, the school on the hill has never been led more enthusiastically.
"We can no longer afford to be Montana's best-kept secret," he says, "nor will we."