2025 Service Excellence Award Nominees

As a proud first-generation student, Alisha has shown incredible leadership and dedication in supporting other first-generation students on the MSU campus. Alisha has been an active member of the First-Generation Committee and played a key role in helping MSU earn the First Gen Forward recognition. Alisha is also a strong advocate for recognizing the unique challenges first-generation students face and finding ways for MSU to better support them.

 

 I am honored to nominate Alisha Downs, a dedicated staff member in the Planning Department of University Facilities Management, for the First-Generation Service Excellence Award. Alisha is an exceptional individual whose passion and unwavering commitment to first-generation students at Montana State University inspire all who have the privilege of working alongside her. From the moment I joined the Planning, Design, and Construction (PDC) team, Alisha’s enthusiasm and kindness were immediately evident. On my very first day, she took it upon herself to personally introduce me to everyone, making the space feel welcoming and inclusive. Between introductions, she enthusiastically shared information about the many programs and opportunities MSU offers to its employees, a testament to the way she champions the University in every role she takes on. Alisha’s impact on first-generation students is profound and far-reaching. Alisha is one of two people that secured the First-Gen Forward designation for Montana State University. MSU is the only institution in Montana to do so. As a former first-generation student herself, she deeply understands the unique challenges and triumphs of this community. However, she does not assume that her experience defines that of today’s students. Instead, she actively seeks to understand their evolving needs and advocate for meaningful change. She and her team garnered IRB approval to hold focus groups, where they engaged directly with first-generation students to learn about their experiences on our campus. With her team, she ensured that students received incentives for their participation, fostering an environment where they felt valued and heard. These discussions provided critical insights into successful campus programs and identified areas for improvement, guiding efforts to bridge existing gaps. In the recent grad fair, she ran a table where she made sure students signed up for the First-Gen Graduation Celebration and received their Honor Cords to don on commencement day. Beyond her direct engagement with students, Alisha collaborates closely with Mackenzie Spence to organize professional development opportunities designed to educate faculty and staff on how to effectively support first-generation students. She is also instrumental in coordinating First-Generation Celebration Week, that includes a host of campus-wide events that honor students, graduates, and allies in their educational journey. Alisha does not merely help organize these events—she infuses them with energy, creating a sense of excitement and community across campus. At her core, Alisha is a teammate, a cheerleader, and a steadfast advocate. She embodies the mission of being First-Gen Forward, ensuring that every student and colleague she encounters feels a sense of belonging, support, and empowerment. Her leadership and service extend far beyond her job title—she is a driving force in shaping an inclusive and supportive MSU community. For these reasons and more, I strongly and wholeheartedly recommend Alisha Downs for the First-Generation Service Excellence Award. Her passion is palpable, her dedication unwavering, and her impact immeasurable. Montana State University is truly fortunate to have her.

 

Alisha has been a steadfast supporter of First-Generation Students at MSU. While the work she does daily is not student-facing, she has such a passion for FG student success and support that she goes above and beyond her duties to support and serve this student demographic. Through her work on campus, MSU has received a national designation, First-Gen Forward, the National First-Generation College Celebration has grown exponentially, and new research has been able to be completed to better understand First-Gen students at MSU. I can say, without a doubt, that without Alisha, MSU would not be where it is today in regard to First-Generation student support and success.

As a first-generation college graduate herself from Baltimore, MD, Diane has demonstrated exceptional talent and tenacity throughout her academic journey, earning her BS, MS, and PhD, and becoming a world-renowned professor who explores insect and plant species distributions in montane regions. She has also conducted research on women in science and engineering with a team of administrators, biologists, engineers, philosophers, and sociologists as a co-principal investigator on an NSF-funded ADVANCE Institutional Transformation grant to improve the recruitment and retention of women in these fields. Additionally, she has shown exceptional leadership and dedication, breaking down barriers and modeling excellence on our campus. In her role as department head of Ecology, Diane has fostered a collaborative and inclusive environment. With over 600 majors in the Ecology Department, she has been pivotal in helping many of MSU’s first-generation students navigate their college pathways, helping them learn the “unwritten curriculum” that can be so opaque to freshman whose parents didn’t go to college. Her ability to communicate a clear vision and inspire her team of faculty and staff has led to the successful execution of numerous initiatives that benefit the entire student body. Diane’s commitment to excellence is evident in her daily actions. She serves as a role model for first-generation students, demonstrating that with hard work, determination, and support, they too can achieve their goals. For these reasons, I believe Dr. Diane Debinski is a deserving candidate for the First-Generation Award. Her contributions have made a lasting impact on our campus community as she continues to inspire and support first-generation students for years to come.

Twila YellowHorse, the Program Lead for the Caring for Our Own Program in the Mark & Robyn Jones College of Nursing, has supported the path to a college degree for scores of first-generation college students through her position. Twila is a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation and role models for new students how to bring their native identity with them to MSU and keep it intact while developing their professional and identity. A doctoral student in Education, Twila has made the CO-OP office a warm gathering place where tutoring, peer-support, and laughter are key ingredients to student success. There will be more and more Indigenous Nurses because of Twila’s mentorship, advising, and engagement.

 

In addition to her advocacy and service to the Caring for Our Own Program in Nursing, Twila is an instructor of record for NASX courses, most impressively, a short-term, faculty-led study abroad course known as the Indigenous Knowledge Exchange (IKÉ Aotearoa) NASX – 491 taking 10 studetns accross disciplines to Aotearoa (New Zealand). As if that werent enough, She is also currently working on her dissertation as a doctoral candidate. Her research is grounded at the intersection of Education, Nursing, and Tribal communities. Twila advocates for and responsibly practices Indigenous methodologies to meet the pragmatic needs of the students she works with, as well as the patients they will eventually serve. Twila is a thoughtful and dedicated colleague and professional who exhibits the potential for a strong publication record, a focused teaching load, and a thoughtful service agenda, all while maintaining multiple other community, familial, and professional obligations. The combination of her scholarly contributions and community focus, balanced with her approachable and caring nature, are commendation worthy. It is without hesitation or reservation that I offer the highest recommendation for her being awarded the First-Generation Service Excellence Award.

 

Twila Yellow Horse, a member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe and mother of two wonderful children, is an MSU alumna with a B.S. in Psychology, a Minor in Native American Studies, a M.Ed. in Adult & Higher Education, and is a current Ph.D. Candidate in Education: Adult & Higher Education at MSU. She is the Program Lead in the Caring for Our Own Program (CO-OP) in the Mark & Robyn Jones College of Nursing. Twila’s work in CO-OP supports Native American and Alaska Native students in successfully overcoming the educational and economic barriers in earning nursing degrees. Twila also teaches the Native American section of First Year Seminar course (US 101US) and Indigenous Knowledge Exchange with Aotearoa (New Zealand) (NASX 491). Her first role at MSU was in the Office of Financial Aid in Fall 2018. Twila navigates all aspects of academics professionally while sharing her knowledge with undergraduate and graduate students at MSU. She serves as a role model of how to successfully balance work, studies, academic research, and mothering. Twila has helped to create an environment in the CO-OP office that is a second home to nursing students, supporting them throughout their academic journey at MSU while building their own professional networks. She serves as a role model and exemplary example of how to be successful in academics through prioritizing good relationships and reciprocity with all who are lucky enough to work with her.

Charlene (Charly) is a counselor in the Admissions Office, which is considered the front door of the university. She is often the first point of contact for prospective students and their families. When she meets with them, she guides them through the process from start to end and often holds their hands along the way through challenges that they overcome together. She is a trusted colleague and hard-working coworker. I value her guidance and am proud of her over-and-above support that she provides students every day! Charly is very deserving of this award and is passionate about helping lead the way for first-generation students. Without her daily hard work dedication to MSU, many first-generation students and other students in general, would not be thriving on campus today!

Nikki Brown is the coordinator for the Good Relations Learning Community at Montana State University. The Good Relations Learning Community is a student cohort of peer-2-peer mentoring comprised of first-year Native students at Montana State University. The first year of college for first-generation students is a crucial phase that significantly influences students' persistence, academic achievement, and degree completion. Research suggests that mentorship programs make students feel supported socially, emotionally, and academically and also feel valued by the institution, making them more likely to persist and graduate. Here is a good example, If you are visiting a foreign country for the first time, it is advised to meet up with an interpreter in order to make the most of your experience and truly understand the nuances of the culture and the land. What Nikki does for her students in the American Indian Alaska Native Student Success Department is very similar when she facilitates the Good Relations Learning Community, engaging students with cultural learning opportunities, mentorships, tutoring, and professional success workshops. What better way to brighten your winter semester at MSU than a weekend retreat with friends and fun activities like after-dark cosmic tubing. For first-gen indigenous students at MSU The Good Relations Learning Community is a resource that will leave an imprint on their character and an impact on their futures, and that is Bobcat Gold!

As a first-generation college graduate, I understand firsthand the challenges that come with navigating higher education without built-in guidance. These challenges did not end with my undergraduate degree but have continued as I work toward my ultimate goal of earning a PhD. The process of applying to doctoral programs has been humbling—I have faced rejections, waitlists, and setbacks—but I refuse to let these obstacles define my journey. Instead, they have only strengthened my resolve to keep pushing forward. It is because of these challenges that I have dedicated myself to supporting other first-generation students and working to create more inclusive opportunities within Montana State University. In my role as Academic Services Coordinator in the Psychology Department, I have sought to bridge the gap between staff, faculty, and students by engaging in research and advocating for increased support for first-generation scholars. While staff members are not traditionally included in research funding opportunities, I have worked to challenge that norm—requesting departmental support and engaging in academic scholarship despite not being enrolled in a formal graduate program. This effort has sparked conversations at the college level about how MSU can better support staff members who wish to contribute to research and academic growth. Beyond my role in the department, I am deeply committed to mentoring and uplifting students who, like me, are navigating higher education without traditional support systems. I know what it feels like to have to figure things out alone, and I want to ensure that other first-generation students feel seen, supported, and empowered to pursue their goals. I am honored to be considered for this award, but more than anything, I hope my journey serves as a reminder that setbacks are not roadblocks—they are stepping stones. I will continue to use my experiences to advocate for others and push for greater opportunities for first-generation students at MSU and beyond.