Every fall the Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement (MCNCE) awards $1000 George M. Dennison Civic Engagement Scholarships to civically-engaged college students from our colleges and universities. This scholarship recognizes outstanding college student volunteers across Montana who demonstrate exemplary civic leadership and a commitment to fostering positive change in their communities. Service looks different in different contexts in Montana, with much of it being informal, church based and done from senses of neighborliness, commitment to family and community and the greater good, and much of it happening through nonprofit organizations, student groups and campus life. The Dennison Scholarship has had donors ranging from the Dennison family, Reach Higher Montana and private donations. If college student civic engagement and service are important to you, please consider donating (email or call Josh Vanek).
Our 2025-26 scholarship recipients are:
Josiah Aimsback, Blackfeet Community College— Josiah serves as a shift leader at his local community food bank, training volunteers, managing inventory, and supporting seasonal programs like holiday meal and backpack drives. He also participates in the Green Streets Initiative, leading neighborhood clean-ups, planting native vegetation, and organizing recycling-awareness events to promote environmental stewardship and grassroots civic engagement.
Tracie Castro, Great Falls College— Tracie volunteers approximately 200+ hours annually providing private caregiving to elderly community members in Shelby, offering mobility support, companionship, and health monitoring to those with limited resources. She also donates extra time at the Blackfeet Care Center for resident events and supports local families facing medical or personal hardship through transportation, meals, and informal caregiving.
Lanie Crabb, University of Montana Western— Lanie serves as the Suicide Prevention and Awareness Coordinator for the PATH program at UM Western, planning regular campus events and collaborating with counseling services entirely on a volunteer basis. She also dedicates time to the Rural Fridays Program supporting rural and homeschooled youth, and has maintained a 15-year family tradition of preparing Quartz Creek Cemetery for Memorial Day.
Sarah Fetterman, Montana State University— As Vice President of Aspiring Educators of MSU, Sarah leads volunteer initiatives including community race fundraising, where she personally secured over $500 in donated prizes, and created new programs such as a holiday cake initiative for families in need and a “Parents’ Night Out” STEM event for children. She volunteers at least 50 hours annually, building on a long history of tutoring, coaching, and peer mentoring.
Steven Henson, MSU Northern— Steven has spent decades volunteering in his California hometown, dedicating hundreds of hours to Boy Scout leadership, youth football league founding, and coaching flag football and softball. He also served as a church deacon, organizing soup kitchens and community outreach for underprivileged individuals.
Josie Kleman, University of Montana— Josie has dedicated over 500 hours to civic engagement through her work with MontPIRG, where she advanced student-friendly legislation and voter registration efforts before joining the board. She also serves as an ASUM Senator on both the Student Political Action and Sustainability Committees, and supports incoming Honors Program students as a Learning Assistant, helping them navigate university life.
LaFaye Lizotte, MSU Northern— LaFaye contributes 300+ volunteer hours annually through the Wolf Point Community Organization, where she serves as Sergeant at Arms helping plan cultural events, youth and elder programming, and supporting the restoration of the organization’s nonprofit status. She also dedicates significant time to the WPCO Powwow Committee and informal community support—delivering food, providing transportation, and assisting elders and families throughout the Fort Peck community.
Connor Mace, Aaniiih Nakota College— Connor founded and leads a 2SLGBTQIA+ support group on the Aaniiih Nakoda College campus, opening it to both students and community members to foster inclusion and belonging. He is also contributing to ANC’s Buffalo Research Program, developing and administering assessments to support fellow interns in their research work.
Vivian Mayers, University of Montana Western— Vivian has contributed 290+ hours across three distinct volunteer roles: teaching preschool religious education at her parish, coaching youth horseback drill team through Minnesota 4-H, and supporting high school athletes as a volunteer pole vault coach. Her service reflects a broad commitment to youth development spanning faith, athletics, and academic sport.
Amanda Mazur, University of Montana— Amanda volunteers across multiple Missoula organizations, including the Zootown Art Community Center where she teaches painting and mixed media to homeschool students, and the Community Health Alliance where she supported major community events. As Vice President of Circle K International, she has also contributed to the Missoula Food Bank, the Missoula Marathon, and holiday gift drives for the YWCA.
Grace Mock, MSU Billings— After teaching elementary music to up to 700 students weekly at a Title I school in Billings, Grace transitioned her community commitment by completing 40+ hours of intensive training to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for foster children in Yellowstone County. Once assigned a case, she expects to volunteer a minimum of 120 hours per year, working with children, families, legal professionals, and the courts to advocate for safe and permanent placements.
Julie Russell, Great Falls College MSU— Julie has engaged in culturally focused community service, including teaching Native American culture and traditions to fourth graders, representing Great Falls College MSU’s Indigenous Culture Center at the Little Shell Pow Wow, and participating in a community feed, movie, and bingo night at her campus.
Chayla Russell, Salish Kootenai College— Chayla volunteers with the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People movement, assisting with searches, awareness events, and coordination. She also serves grieving families through the Long House funeral home and participates in the American Indigenous Business Leaders chapter at Salish Kootenai College, developing business and leadership skills alongside her peers.
Grace Thorson, Dawson Community College— Grace has contributed to her community for eight years through annual county fairgrounds cleanup as part of 4-H and FFA, monthly middle school tutoring through her National Honor Society chapter, and volunteering at school blood drives. Her consistent, multi-year commitment reflects a strong dedication to local youth and community well-being.
Kennedy Venner, Carroll College— Kennedy has contributed 140+ hours across three service areas: providing adaptive educational support to elementary students with disabilities, leading the Student Athlete Advisory Committee as President to launch a Mental Health Awareness Week and coordinate blood drives and community food initiatives, and coaching middle and high school softball and basketball players in Billings. Her work spans advocacy, athletics, and inclusive education.
These inspiring students have provided hundreds of volunteer hours to causes close to them, and in doing so have significantly and positively impacted their campuses and communities. By leading projects that address issues from food insecurity to homelessness and substance abuse, they have mobilized their peers and brought attention to important issues. Their dedication reflects the values of George M. Dennison, the late president of the University of Montana, and one of the founding presidents of the Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement (then Montana Campus Compact) over thirty years ago. Dennison championed the importance of higher education as a force for civic and community engagement.
“Reading these scholarship applications is simultaneously one of the most inspiring and difficult things we do all year” said Josh Vanek with the Campus Network for Civic Engagement. “It gives me enormous hope that we have truly amazing problem solvers in every community in our state.”
About the George M. Dennison Civic Engagement Scholarship:
The George M. Dennison Civic Engagement Scholarship was established to honor President Dennison’s legacy and commitment to student leadership. Each recipient receives a $1,000 scholarship. The scholarship is awarded annually to students across Montana who exhibit outstanding contributions to civic life and community while maintaining their studies. The sponsorship has historically been supported with contributions from the Dennison family, Reach Higher Montana, and private donations.
Join Us in Celebrating These Student Leaders:
We invite the public to congratulate these remarkable individuals as they continue to inspire and lead efforts to create stronger, more inclusive communities. Their achievements testify to the transformative power of civic engagement.
Support the Scholarship
The George M. Dennison Civic Engagement Scholarship relies on donors’ generosity to continue fostering civic leadership among Montana’s students. Your contribution helps ensure the scholarship continues.
Contributions can be made online at supportum.org/give. Please select “Other” in the Designation Choice field and specify “George M. Dennison Civic Engagement Scholarship” in the comments field. The University of Montana Foundation manages these funds and benefits students across all affiliated institutions.
For more information or questions about the scholarship, please get in touch with us at info@mtengage.org.