Student Advisory Council

Welcome to the DHC Student Advisory Council (SAC) Homepage

The SAC strongly encourages students to contact any SAC members with any ideas, questions or concerns they may have. SAC members may be reached at their email addresses listed below.

What is the Student Advisory Council?

Up to twelve Honors students serve on the Student Advisory Council, a group that meets with the Dean each month. The Council serves as a sounding board for the Dean, presents ideas and suggestions, helps develop courses and set policy. Students interested in serving on the Council are encouraged to contact the Dean. Appointments are for one year, beginning in the fall semester.

Benefits of A Student Advisory Council:

Increased communication between students and administration.
Greater student voice
Student interests are protected
A more democratic progression is created within the administration
More transparent administration
Students gain a greater understanding of the administrative process
Personal relationships between administration and students are created
Collaborative honors environment
Ensuring accountability of the administration to students
Promotion of student involvement in the honors community
An approachable atmosphere for students to voice their concerns

Aims & Procedures

Aims:

Make conscious and informed decisions on issues that affect the honors community.
Open, cooperative conversations that take into account all sides of an issue.
Improve and enrich the honors community
Emphasis is placed on the importance of clear procedural parameters.

Meetings consist of an hour-long session, initiated by the Dean, that involves positive discussion of new and previous issues facing the council.

The Council serves the dual function of being a body to which the Dean can refer decisions for student review, but also a place where students can voice identified issues.

Current Council Members

Mariah Childs

Hi, my name is Mariah Childs. I'm from Condon MT, which is so tiny it's not even on road signs, and before that I lived in Northwest Alaska. This explains why Missoula seems really big to me and I get lost all of the time! I want to be a pediatrician, so I'm taking all of the Pre-Med requirement stuff, but I plan to major in Spanish. I love to do anything outdoors: skiing, hiking, and fly-fishing are my favorites. I also love watercolor, dance, running, basketball, and reading. Missoula an awesome place to be and I'm so happy I'm here. See ya around campus!

Erin King

Erin King began attending the University of Montana in 2005. She is from Kennewick, Washington, and is double majoring in biology and geology, with plans to go on to study vertebrate paleontology. During the summer, Erin works at the Two Medicine Dinosaur Center.

Tracy Louk

Hey all! I’m a Southern California native majoring in Exercise Science, eventually hoping to get my Doctorate in Physical Therapy. When not in class, I keep busy working at the UM Physical Therapy Clinic or training for my next race. My extracurriculars include UM Triathlon, Lutheran Campus Ministry, and Golden Key. Among my favorite things are triathloning, dancing all night, curling up with a good book, movie marathons, and long dinners with close friends. The following is my favorite quote, and sort of adapted philosophy for life: "It is sufficient that I know what I know and know that without believing that I will always know what I know or that what I know will always be true." -Maya Angelou

Siri Smillie

I am a sophomore political science major here at UM. I love Missoula and the mountains of western Montana as much as I love the open plains of eastern Montana and the "Big City" where I grew up - Billings. When I am not volunteering and giving tours as an Advocate or playing in the UM Flute Choir, I enjoy reading, scrap booking, listening to jazz (and all other genres of music), traveling, hiking the "M" and cooking.

Amy Smith

My name is Amy Smith and I started as a Freshman at UM in the fall of 2007. I grew up in Missoula and am so excited to be attending school in this wonderful community. I am studying Human Biology as well as doing the prerequisites for Med school. When I’m not hitting the books, I like to be outside doing anything from hiking and biking to fishing and skiing (and you can’t forget napping and reading while lazing on the lawn). I am always game for a volunteering or teaching opportunity, especially when it involves using my EMT skills. I also love music, theater, and baking lots of good food!

Andrew Stickney

I'm a junior in Geography with an option in GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and Cartography. I get to ask all sort of questions about the world, and use computer mapping for analysis and presenting my findings. I have served on SAC since Autumn Semester 2006 and enjoy helping make the DHC a great place to learn. I was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, but have lived in Missoula, MT since I was 6 years old, so it's my hometown. I have a previous A.A.S. in Computer Technology and my principle activities involve computers - helping people learn about computers, using computer applications for my own activities, and fixing the darn things when they don't cooperate. I also enjoy reading, biking, chess, cribbage, talking with people about any subject, and helping other people solve problems.

Danni Thom

As a freshman at the University of Montana, I am discovering what it means to be a Griz. I come from the small town of Stanford, Montana, and I am finding all the benefits of Missoula to be absolutely enthralling! There are very few places in Montana where you could hike up a mountain overlooking a beautiful city and see a stadium packed with thousands of fans, walk down the mountain and attend an art fair, and then volunteer at your charity of choice. It's great to know that at the UM campus we have created our very own community where a small group of people can help thousands of students. Strive to help UM's campus today and the world tomorrow!

Rafael Villarreal-Calderon

Rafael began attending UM in 2006 as a Physics and Pre-medical Sciences major. When he’s not doing schoolwork he enjoys spending time outdoors, playing basketball, and listening to all kinds of music. He finds Missoula to be a wonderful place to live and feels very fortunate to be studying here.

Ashleen Williams

My name is Ashleen Williams and I am a Political Science Major with an option in International Relations. I am from Snohomish, Washington which is pronounced exactly as its spelled and (here's a little fun fact for you) it is the Antique Capital of the North West. I have spent a great deal of time around the Military (the Marine Corps specifically) and now work a few hours a week at a law office that specializes in Military Litigation.

•Site Map•DHC Homepage•