MISSOULA — University of Montana President, Dr. Jeremiah Shinn, addressed the campus community for the first time on Aug. 21 at the Montana Theatre.
He outlined his vision for the university centered on giving students a sense of belonging.
Shinn also discussed other prevalent topics such as the role of artificial intelligence in higher education as well as resources available to students.
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Shinn made it clear that serving students and serving Montana is his top priority.
"If a talented Montana student wants to earn a degree from this university, they will have the resources to earn a degree from this university," Shinn said.
Shinn outlined several ways the university plans to make that possible.
"We'll work with our donors, we'll work with our deans, we'll maximize existing scholarship funds, we'll find efficiencies. We'll move barriers wherever we can," Shinn said.
On the topic of artificial intelligence, Shinn said UM is prepared to use it as a supplemental tool to help students succeed — but emphasized its limitations.
"AI can answer questions. It can write a paragraph. It can analyze a data set. It can't tell us what's right. It can't tell us what we should do. It can't tell us what kind of world we should create. That's found in the liberal arts and humanities," Shinn said.
Shinn has also been getting to know the community he will lead, visiting UM sports teams including volleyball, soccer and the Grizzlies football team. His broader mission, he said, extends to every corner of campus.
"To ensure that every student who walks onto this campus knows that this is their home and feels that everywhere they turn," Shinn said.
Graduate student Jake Baron, who is part of the jazz community at UM, said he is watching to see how the new president will support the arts.
"I don't know what to expect. I know that being in the jazz department, there have been past presidents that really support the School of Music. So that's kind of the thing that I'm looking for. We'll see what happens," Baron said.
As classes prepare to begin Monday, Aug. 24, Shinn said he is energized by the return of students to campus for the fall 2026 semester.
"Energy is back, the enthusiasm is back, and everything that makes UM special is back," he said. "And I'm really looking forward to attending student events, sporting events, theater productions, student organization meetings, any chance that I can get to spend time with our students. I'm really looking forward to it,"
