The Max S. Baucus Institute has announced its Baucus Leader Class of 2025. The more than 40 University of Montana students selected represent Ambassador Baucus’ commitment to create outstanding service opportunities at home and abroad for undergraduate and graduate students from across Montana.
Inspired by Baucus’ belief that “there is no higher calling than public service,” the Institute’s mission is simple but profound: inspire and prepare the next generation of public servants through real-world experience and leadership opportunities.
“Mel and I are thrilled that the Max Baucus Institute will help more than 40 University of Montana students ‘see, serve, and lead’ around the world this summer,” said Max Baucus, former U.S. Ambassador to China and U.S. Senator. “These outstanding young Montana Grizzlies will roll up their sleeves and dive into public service in places like Singapore, Paris, Washington, D.C. and elsewhere. Our program is proudly bipartisan—we have students interning with Senators Daines and Sheehy, as well as Senators Schumer, Reed and several others. These students come back on fire. They’ve learned so much and are ready to take on the world.”
UM student Ryan Fleetwood is a 2025 Baucus Climate Scholar, and will use his opportunity to work with the U.S. Geological Survey this summer to research drought and soil moisture.
“I am excited to work with the United States Geological Survey to deepen my understanding of how science informs management and policy decisions,” said Fleetwood. “I would like to sincerely thank Senator Max Baucus, Mel Baucus and the Baucus Institute for this incredible opportunity to engage in public service in the great state of Montana.”
Founded in 2016, the Baucus Institute has supported over 300 Montana university students through various programs, including dozens of students who have received stipends and scholarships to continue their education in the U.S. Senate and in nations across the globe.
This year’s Baucus Scholars will receive paid stipends for internships, as well as full scholarships for students pursuing opportunities in China.
Baucus Leaders D.C. Class of 2025
The Baucus Leaders D.C. program places undergraduate and graduate students in paid summer internships with Congressional offices in Washington, D.C.
- Maya Anderson of Lake Stevens, Washington will intern with U.S. Senator Jack Reed. Anderson is a student at the University of Montana who is studying Pre-Law.
- Kerrianne Kimbrell of Vancouver, Washington will intern with U.S. Senator Patty Murray. Kimbrell is a student at Montana State University, studying in the MSU Honors College.
- Amanda Haab of Helena will intern with U.S. Senator Steve Daines. Haab is a student at Montana State University, studying in the MSU Honors College.
- Ella Pace of Battleground, Washington will intern with U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley. Pace is a student at Montana State University, studying Pre-Law.
- Ethan Gilpan of Bozeman will intern with U.S. Senator Mike Crapo. Gilpan is a student at Montana State University, studying Pre-Law.
- Henry Young of Cranford, New Jersey will intern with U.S. Senator Michael Bennet. Young is a student at the University of Montana.
- Rylin Wilde of Kalispell will intern with U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. Wilde is a student at the University of Montana.
- Rachel Tillman of Missoula will intern with U.S Senator Amy Klobuchar. Tillman is a University of Montana student at the Alexander Blewett III School of Law.
- Garrett Dahlke of Bozeman will intern with U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy. Dahlke is a University of Montana student, studying in the Davidson Honors College.
- Mason Swensen of Glasgow will intern with U.S. Senator Brian John Hoeven. Swensen is a student at the University of Montana.
- McKenzie Jarman of Everett, Washington will intern with U.S. Representative Pat Harrigan. Jarman is a student at Montana State University, studying in the MSU Honors College.
- Will Dreesen will intern with the House Ways and Means Committee. Dreesen is a student at the University of Montana, studying in the Alexander Blewett III School of Law.
Baucus Climate Scholars Class of 2025
The Baucus Climate Scholars program places undergraduate and graduate students as paid interns with prestigious national organizations working at the forefront of climate and environmental issues.
- Samuel Phillips of Missoula will intern with the South China Morning Post (Hong Kong) on issues related to climate change. Phillips is a student at the University of Montana, studying in the Davidson Honors College.
- Gracie Caldwell of Billings will intern with Shanghai Disneyland, working on sustainability issues. Caldwell is a student at Montana State University, studying in the MSU Honors College.
- Lukas Kosel of Roberts will intern with Shanghai Disneyland, working on sustainability issues. Kosel is a student at Montana State University, enrolled in the Hilleman Scholars Program.
- Natalie Baur of Greenwood Village, Colorado will do a research independent study on climate issues related to Singapore. Baur is a student at Montana State University.
- Alena Flocchini of Sandpoint, Idaho will do a research independent study on climate issues related to Singapore. Baur is a student at the University of Montana.
- Sayge Felker of Sacramento, California will intern with The Climate Reality Project. Felker is a student at Montana State University, studying in the MSU Honors Program.
- Blixen Hoffman of Mason, Texas will intern with The Climate Reality Project. Felker is a student at the University of Montana, studying Pre-Law.
- Daniel Martin of Dillon will intern with Centigrade, where he will work in the Bay Area on carbon markets research. Marin is a student at the University of Montana, studying in the Davidson Honors College.
- Shae Barber of Bountiful, Utah will intern with The Climate Initiative, where he will research drafting materials for location-specific climate advocacy. Barber is a student at the University of Montana.
- Nari Lee of Daegu, South Korea will intern with New Leaf Climate Partners to research financing models to support sustainable land management. Lee is a student at the University of Montana.
- Lian Thang of Hakha, Myanmar will intern with New Leaf Climate Partners to research financing models to support sustainable land management. Thang is a student at the University of Montana.
- Zofia Skiba of Gypsum, Colorado will intern with Big Sky Sustainability Network to assist the nonprofit working to promote sustainability in and around Big Sky, Montana. Skiba is a student at Montana State University and is studying in the MSU Honors College.
- Isabella “Teddy” Montalvo of Terry will intern with Henry’s Fork Foundation where he will help develop graphic design to communicate environmental science themed issues including watershed and ecosystem management. Montalvo is a student at the University of Montana-Western.
- Clint Connors of Butte will intern with NorthWestern Energy to work on environmental law compliance. Connors is a student at the University of Montana’s Alexander Blewett III School of Law.
- Libby Tobey will intern with Advocates for the West. Tobey is a student at the University of Montana’s Alexander Blewett III School of Law.
- Silas Teasdale of Missoula will intern with the California-China Climate Institute to assist with subnational dialogue between California and China on carbon reductions. Teasdale is a student at the University of Montana.
- Robby Brown of Billings will intern with The Nature Conservancy to Assist with research on renewable energy projects. Brown is enrolled at Montana State University, studying at the MSU Honors College.
- Morgan Kerr of Missoula will intern with the City of Missoula Climate Team to work on municipal policies designed to reduce carbon emissions. Kerr is a student at the University of Montana.
- Vivianne Ostheimer of Buffalo, Wyoming will intern with the City of Missoula Climate Team to work on municipal policies designed to reduce carbon emissions. Ostheimer is a student at the University of Montana, studying in the Davidson Honors College.
- Ryan Fleetwood of Hagerstown, Maryland will intern with the Glacier National Park U.S. Geological Survey. Fleetwood is a student at the University of Montana, studying in the Davidson Honors College.
- Kyle Hase of Park City, Utah will intern with The Montana Nature Conservancy. Hase is a student at Montana State University.
- Shawn Huseby of Florence, Montana will intern with Protect the Clearwater. Huseby is a student at Montana State University.
- Michael Jump of Missoula will intern with The Climate Initiative. Jump is a student at the University of Montana and is studying at the Davidson Honors College.
- Lateefat Sanni of Bozeman will intern with The Climate Initiative. Sanni is a student at Montana State University.
Baucus Leaders Montana Class of 2025
The Baucus Leaders Montana program places undergraduate and graduate students with Montana-based public sector offices and non-profit organizations.
- Melisa Carter of Bozeman will intern with the Montana Nonprofit Association. Carter is a student at Montana State University.
- Gabe Caye of Elmo will intern at the American Indian Governance and Policy Institute. Caye is a student at the University of Montana.
- Parker Friday will intern at the Montana World Affairs Council. Friday is a student at the University of Montana, studying in the Davidson Honors College.
- Willow Kipp of Missoula will intern with the Fort Belknap & Tribal Natural Resources Program. Kipp is a student at the University of Montana.
- Silver Littleeagle of Lame Deer will intern at the American Indian Governance and Policy Institute. Littleeagle is a student at the University of Montana.
- Charley Palm of Liberty Lake, Washington will intern at the Montana World Affairs Council. Palm is a student at Montana State University, studying in the MSU Honors College.
- Kassidy Rubel will intern with the CSKT Tribal Court. Rubel is a student at the University of Montana, studying in the Alexander Blewett III School of law.
- Josiah Begay of Columbia Falls will intern with the American Indian Governance and Policy Institute. Begay is a student at the University of Montana.