Celebrating Service and Community Engagement
The Montana Student Volunteer Award (MSVA) honors the exceptional dedication and commitment of college students across Montana who have made significant contributions to their communities while pursuing their academic goals. In partnership with the Governor’s Office of Community Service, Montana Campus Network affiliate campuses proudly recognize individuals who exemplify the spirit of civic engagement and volunteerism.
About the Award
Each year, the MSVA celebrates college students who go above and beyond in serving their communities. Campuses organize committees to nominate outstanding students based on their service, leadership, and community impact. Through a rigorous selection process, honorees are chosen for their demonstrated commitment to building stronger, more vibrant communities.
2025-2026 MSVA Winners
We are proud to announce this year’s recipients of the Montana Student Volunteer Award:
Aaniiih Nakoda College: Cody James
Cody has volunteered at every campus event for two years, supporting Student Senate activities and community outreach through the Human Services Department.
Blackfeet Community College: Wesley Wells
Wesley volunteers independently with the campus food pantry, fitness center, and Student Center, and actively promotes BFCC in the broader community by encouraging others to enroll.
Carroll College: Christine Elliott
Christine has dedicated over 300 hours to Red Cross service across more than a decade, starting from childhood with her mother and then growing into leadership responsibility within the organization.
Chief Dull Knife College: Taylor Medicine Horse
Taylor has organized campus events fostering belonging among Native and non-Native students, participated in cultural traditions like powwows and round dances, distributed food to community members, and supported elders and orientation programming.
Dawson Community College: Isobell Kerckaert
Isobell has completed 73 hours of community service tutoring elementary students, assisting at community events and tournaments, and representing Dawson Community College with professionalism and warmth.
Flathead Valley Community College: JiaJia Farr
Since 2024, JiaJia has volunteered as a violinist at assisted living facilities, hospitals, and community fundraisers throughout the Flathead Valley, while also serving in student government and encouraging others to participate in service.
Fort Peck Community College: Jamie Birthmark
As FPCC Student Senate treasurer, Jamie participates in campus events, competed at the American Indian Higher Education Consortium Student Conference, and volunteered at MMIP Awareness events at both the Poplar and Wolf Point campuses.
Great Falls College MSU: Courtney Salois
As student government secretary, Courtney has assembled food baskets for students in need, welcomed new students during orientation events, and helped organize a theater troupe visit to campus.
Helena College University of Montana: Amanda Moulton
Amanda serves as President of the Associated Students of Helena College and brings years of prior service through FCCLA, junior high tennis coaching, and leading Bible study activities in her hometown of Conrad.
Little Big Horn College: Anna Ten Bear
Anna volunteers weekly at the campus Greenhouse and Bookstore and contributes hands-on agricultural work caring for cattle in the field and mountains.
Miles Community College: Chrystean Logan
Chrystean volunteers with the Miles City Bandits Special Olympics teams, Meals on Wheels, the Miles City Christmas Stroll, and reads to elementary school children through the MCC softball team.
Montana State University Billings: Gavin Lee
Gavin volunteers every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, primarily with Eagle Mount in Billings, and has accumulated the most logged service hours of any student at MSUB while actively recruiting peers to join him.
Montana State University: Kollen Pipinich
Over three years at MSU, Kollen has logged more than 500 volunteer hours, including 440+ hours mentoring high school students in FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics and rebuilding MSU’s Circle K chapter from two members to fifteen.
Montana State University Northern: Jalia Haley-Giard
Jalia trains as a Red Cross Duty Officer Associate for disaster response across three states, volunteers with Be My Eyes, Zooniverse, and Crisis Text Line, and catalyzed MSU-Northern’s first-ever summer undergraduate research program in Integrated Health Sciences.
Montana Technological University: Hayden Diekhans
Since August 2025, Hayden has volunteered fifteen hours per week as the student alumni outreach coordinator at the Montana Tech Foundation, coordinating donor and alumni communications that directly support the campus.
Salish Kootenai College: Sarah Cochran
As Student Senate President and SKC Graduate Honoring Powwow Ambassador, Sarah advocates for student needs, organizes culturally significant events, and completed an internship supporting individuals navigating trauma through Safe Harbor.
University of Montana: Katia Chavez
Katia tutors refugee high school students through Soft Landing Missoula, leads the Latiné Student Union and reactivated two STEM student chapters at UM, contributes to Spanish-language radio programming, and has performed conservation fieldwork with the USDA Forest Service.
University of Montana Western: Grace Linton
Grace serves in seven campus leadership roles simultaneously, including TRIO Peer Advisor, student senator, and president of two student clubs, while helping plan events, lead campus tours, and organize the Student Leadership Conference.
Nominate a Student
Know a student who deserves recognition for their outstanding service? Nominate them for the Montana Student Volunteer Award!
Nominations open in February and close in March each year. Eligible students must be enrolled at MCNCE affiliate institutions, with one nomination per campus. Celebrate their contributions to community building across Montana.
Join Us in Honoring Exceptional Service
The Montana Student Volunteer Award ceremony will take place via Zoom on April 23, 2026.
Contact Us
For inquiries or assistance, please reach out to us at admin@mtengage.org or call (406) 243-5177.
Join us in recognizing the remarkable service of Montana’s college students and celebrating their commitment to making a difference. Together, we can inspire a culture of service and community engagement across our state.
For more information on the Governor’s Office of Community Service, visit serve.mt.gov.