Jeremiah Shinn, the new president of the University of Montana, aims to simplify student life across campus facilities. “We’re never going to stop pursuing that,” Shinn stated. Before assuming his role, he was the interim president at Boise State University. Shinn follows Seth Bodnar, who resigned to run for the U.S. Senate.
As UM’s 20th president, Shinn emphasizes supporting students for success. He plans to explore statewide needs, set enrollment benchmarks, and support a winning Grizzlies football team. Shinn inherits a politically challenging landscape for higher education and seeks to understand Montana’s educational needs: “I want to learn what Montana needs from us.”
Liberal Arts at UM
The University of Montana is renowned for its liberal arts tradition, producing Pulitzer and Udall Scholars. However, recent budget cuts have impacted programs, including the master’s in literature termination. Shinn believes liberal arts are critical in the AI era, where discernment is vital. “I believe that the liberal arts is in for a renaissance,” Shinn said, emphasizing its importance alongside business and sciences. Financial specifics for liberal arts remain uncertain as Shinn continues his onboarding.
‘Do Right’ by State, Taxpayers
UM’s enrollment peaked at 15,669 in 2011, including Missoula College, but dropped to 8,651 by 2020. It stabilized with 9,427 students in fall 2025, according to Montana University System data. Shinn aims to determine the optimal enrollment number, balancing capacity and quality. “We need to know what we’re aiming at,” Shinn said, noting the importance of maximizing state investments and maintaining quality education.
‘Public Means for Everybody’
With a doctorate in educational leadership, Shinn studied university operations and advocates for adapting to changing environments. “Higher education is notoriously slow to change,” Shinn said. He stresses UM’s role as a public university to serve diverse communities. Despite political pressures under President Trump, Shinn commits to DEI principles: “Public means for everybody, and we’re going to serve everybody.”
Meeting Political Leaders, Cheering Grizzlies
Shinn plans to travel across Montana to engage with local leaders. On campus, he supports Grizzlies football under Coach Bobby Kennedy, who emphasizes student-athlete integrity. “We’re here to win, but we’re here to win with integrity,” Shinn said. As a first-generation college graduate, he values higher education’s transformative power and aims to make UM a source of pride for its community. “I’m not here for me, I’m here for the university,” Shinn emphasized.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wmdd4_15-M
—
Read More Montana News
