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“What a privilege to bring together exemplary K-12 teachers, University professors and academic administrators from both sides to refine and create leading-edge approaches to learning,” said Roberta Evans, dean of UM’s education college. “It is exactly this shoulder-to-shoulder learning that excites education professionals and fosters true change in school systems and universities.”

 Blended learning, the combining of Web-based educational technology with highly effective face-to-face instruction of students, is the basis for a new graduate level course created by the Montana Digital Academy as a part of the SHAPE P20 project, said Robert Currie, executive director of the academy.

The course, Montana Online Blended Learning for K-12 Educators, otherwise known as MOBL K-12, was developed by Ryan Schrenk, MTDA project manager, and introduced teams of MCPS teachers and administrators to several different models of blended learning.

“I’m pleased to see the innovative blended-learning projects developed by Missoula County Public School teachers move from creative ideas in January to concrete proposals today that will be implemented by the district next fall,” Schrenk said.

“MTDA provides online courses to thousands of students across the state each year, and we have been looking for a way to introduce blended learning as an option for schools,” Schrenk said. “Once again, Washington Foundation support and the leadership of Dean Roberta Evans gave us the opportunity to be a part of the innovative SHAPE P20 project.”

The MCPS team focused on researching and planning projects that later will be implemented in elementary, middle or high school classrooms in Missoula.

“Missoula County Public Schools is proud to have more than 40 innovative educators participating in this class,” said Hatton Littman, MCPS director of technology and communication for Missoula County Public Schools. “Professional development opportunities like this demonstrate our investment in high-quality teaching staff and always enable teachers to bring new projects and ideas back into their classrooms.”

Littman said MCPS continues to make progress on a district goal to transform the learning environment and personalize professional growth through professional development opportunities like this one.

“We value our partnerships with the University of Montana and the Washington Foundation,” she said, “which make realizing our goals possible.”

For more information on SHAPE P20 and its blended-learning component, visit online or call 406-243-4911.

“We are at a unique point in history where entrepreneurship has become a more accessible and viable career path than ever before,” Irizarry said. “I’m thrilled to join the LaunchPad program. By leveraging existing processes and collaborating with the MSU Leadership team to make this program accessible to the entire student population, we have the opportunity to significantly grow the number of students who pursue entrepreneurship. Companies will be built and jobs will be created as a result.”

Irizarry has nearly three decades of experience working with hardware and software technology in the finance, garment and automotive industries. He moved to Montana in 1999 to join RightNow Technologies, where he served for 12 years, first as director of technical support and later as director of product management.

Irizarry has also been involved in a variety of roles in multiple startups, including CodeMontana, a statewide program that teaches computer programming to high school students, and StartupBozeman.com, which works to promote Bozeman as a vibrant startup community. In addition, he has worked in the public and private sector around the world, including in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Irizarry has also worked at MSU as an adjunct business instructor and has served as Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the MSU Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship. He has a bachelor's degree in electronic engineering technology.

“Rob is an excellent choice to direct the Blackstone LaunchPad at MSU,” said MSU Provost Martha Potvin. “He will bring tremendous energy and creativity to the role, and we’ve already seen through his work as an adjunct professor and Entrepreneur-in-Residence that he has great rapport with students. Under his leadership, we are confident that students and alumni will learn valuable skills and strategies to help them as they consider launching new business ventures.”

The Blackstone LaunchPad is a collaboration of the Blackstone Charitable Foundation, MSU, the University of Montana and Headwaters RC&D. The program is made possible by a three-year, $2 million grant from the Blackstone Charitable Foundation.

With a physical presence at MSU and the University of Montana, Blackstone LaunchPad has the potential to generate some 380 new ventures in Montana over the next five years, according to the Blackstone Charitable Foundation. The program is open to all 30,000 students at MSU and the University of Montana, regardless of major.

Blackstone LaunchPad is modeled after a successful program developed at the University of Miami in 2008, which has generated 1,633 business proposals, 324 new jobs and drawn nearly 2,938 participants. Each new regional program is linked together, drawing ideas and best practices from the existing programs, and giving student entrepreneurs access to a national community of more than 200,000 of their peers across nine affiliated campuses and expert advisers for their ventures.

Montana is now the fifth Blackstone LaunchPad region, following Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida.

"This is a great opportunity to recognize students who are committed to service and to giving back to their communities," said Governor Steve Bullock. "The Youth Serve Montana Scholarships honor these students' investment in our state and help them continue their education here in Montana."

The Youth Serve Montana Scholarship application form, guidelines, and FAQs can be found online. Completed applications, proof of volunteer hours, confirmation of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and enrollment in a Montana post-secondary institution must be submitted to the Governor's Office of Community Service by April 15, 2013.

The 2013 Youth Serve Montana Scholarships have been made possible through support from the Governor's Office of Community Service, Montana Campus Compact, and Student Assistance Foundation.

"It is Student Assistance Foundation's honor to support the Youth Serve Montana Scholarship program," said Kelly Cresswell, vice president of Foundation Activities. "Commitment on the part of Montana students to giving back to their communities, combined with a desire to attain higher education, provides a strong foundation going forward for our state, and generations to come."

"My colleagues and I are proud to recognize civically engaged students," said Jane Karas, Ph.D., chair of Montana Campus Compact and president of Flathead Valley Community College. "These scholarships honor their commitment to their communities while helping them achieve their educational goals." 

The Governor's Office of Community Service expands and promotes national service and volunteerism in Montana and engages citizens in service and emergency preparedness. Visit serve.mt.gov.

Montana Campus Compact is Montana's largest higher-education network and works to improve community life by educating students for civic and social responsibility. Visit www.mtcompact.org.