Staff

 

TRIO PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAMS DIRECTOR

Vacant

DEREK CALVERT

INTERIM DIRECTOR - PROGRAM SPECIALIST

Derek Calvert is the Program Specialist for the Montana Educational Talent Search program. Derek graduated from the University of Montana with B.A.s in Social Work and Psychology. His passions are rooted in helping others. Through mentoring, education, and simply believing in our youth, Derek believes that they will develop their strengths and overcome any obstacles in their lives.

Elizabeth Wisner-Kinsey

COLLEGE ACCESS MANAGER

Elizabeth Wisner-Kinsey is the College Access Manager for the Montana Educational Talent Search program. Her educational journey began at Eastern New Mexico University. She then went on to finish her bachelor’s degree in Communications and Master of Liberal Studies/American Indian Studies at The University of Denver. Elizabeth has worked in school systems as a Pre-school teacher and Before and After School Director. She passionately believes in opportunity for everyone and is excited to work within a program that provides support and guidance for our youth in Montana.

Melissa Comes At Night

BLACKFEET TARGET AREA PRE-COLLEGE ADVISOR

Melissa Comes At Night grew up in Heart Butte, MT and graduated from Heart Butte high school. After graduating high school she proceeded to obtain her Associates in Psychology with a Behavioral Health Aid certificate from Blackfeet community college. Prior to joining METS Melissa was working at Heart Butte elementary and is looking forward to working with the youth of the Heart Butte high school as well as the Heart Butte and Browning middle school.

JOSHLYNN SNOW

BLACKFEET TARGET AREA PRE-COLLEGE ADVISOR

Joshlynn Snow is the Pre-College advisor for the Blackfeet target area. She grew up in Browning, MT and graduated from Browning High School in 2016. She attended the University of Montana after graduation but started at Salish Kootenai College in 2017 and obtained a bachelor’s degree in social work from SKC in 2021. Before joining METS, she was an advocate for people who were not familiar with the college system. She developed a passion for helping others with applying for scholarships, financial aid, and college. She is looking forward to working with students in the Blackfeet area and assisting them with navigating life after graduation.

SHONNA DILLON

CROW TARGET AREA PRE-COLLEGE ADVISOR

Shonna Dillon is the Pre-College Advisor for the Crow Target Area, serving the school districts of Hardin and Lodge Grass. She is a Crow Tribal member with Ogalala Sioux and Irish heritage. She is a mother and grandmother to many beautiful children. After obtaining her A.A.S at Little Big Horn College in 2002 she went on to receive her B.S in Science from Rocky Mountain College in 2005. She has experience in many areas as she worked as a Teacher and Advisor for Little Big Horn College as a faculty member, at TRIO Student Support Services for Chief Dull Knife College as Director, and most recently at the Crow Tribal Headstart program as the Disabilities/Mental Health Coordinator. She believes in supporting the youth in her community to help expand their experiences and help make their educational dreams become a reality.

RORY HAUGEN

FLATHEAD TARGET AREA PRE-COLLEGE ADVISOR

Rory is a Pre-College Advisor for the Flathead Target Area, serving Polson Middle and High School and the St. Ignatius school district. He was born in California during the relocation program for Native Americans, spent his early childhood next to St. Mary’s lake and attended school k-12 Missoula. After serving in the US Navy, he graduated from the University of Montana with 2 Bachelor degrees in English Literature/Spanish & Psychology. He then moved to the CSKT reservation to continue his career serving Indian Country.

CARLA GUARISCO

FLATHEAD TARGET AREA PRE-COLLEGE ADVISOR

Carla is a Pre-College Advisor for the Flathead Target Area, serving Ronan Middle and High School and Two Eagle River School. Upon completing her B.A. in Communication Disorders at Louisiana State University, Carla’s career serving children and their families started with the Louisiana CASA Association, followed by the New Orleans Teen Court Program, then onto California at UCSB as a home visitor to families with special needs infants. She believes that a critical key to resiliency is mentorship and is honored to immerse herself in the Flathead communities through METS by supporting students’ post-secondary preparation and career goals.

ELIZABETHE MALONEY-BARRETT

GREAT FALLS TARGET AREA PRE-COLLEGE ADVISOR

Elizabethe has worked as a middle and high school English teacher for 13 years previous to accepting her position as the Great Falls Pre-College Advisor. She is excited that this position will allow her to help the same students but in new, fun, and exciting ways. Elizabethe has spent a lot of time in the classroom teaching kids about interviews, scholarships, career exploration, and post-graduation goal setting, so this will be a seamless transition for her. Elizabethe loves to see what her former students have accomplished and cant wait to guide another generation!

CODY HOGAN

GREAT FALLS TARGET AREA PRE-COLLEGE ADVISOR

Cody Hogan is the Montana Educational Talent Search Pre-college Advisor for Great Falls High School and East Middle School. He is from Great Falls and went to high school at CMR. After high school, Cody attended MSU- Bozeman earning his degree in secondary education. He then returned to Great Falls and worked at East Middle School for 2 years as a teacher. During those years Cody spent a lot of time working with students on goal setting and staying on course for those plans. He is looking forward to working with all of his students.