Dan Benge, PH.D., Director

Phone: (406) 243-4199
E-mail: daniel.benge@umontana.edu

Dan's Study Tip: Treat college as a job, 40 hours a week. When not in class, use the remaining time to read, study, write papers or use tutoring or other helpful services. 

I was born in Colorado and both my parents were immigrants from Germany. I really didn't think earning a college degree was possible and was very naïve about the whole process. I didn't know about the FAFSA until my sophomore year of college. A friend needed help moving back to the University of Northern Colorado, and asked if I could help. Helping that friend move to campus changed my life dramatically. After spending some time on campus, I applied to UNC and was accepted. I ended up earning a Bachelor Degree in Business, a Master Degree in Communication, and a Doctorate in College Personnel Administration.

I have worked with TRIO programs for over 26 years and love the work. I feel fortunate to have a career that is meaningful and impactful. I get the opportunity to help students achieve their academic goals.

I am very proud of my two kids, (adults now), who both have earned college degrees. My wife and I are very excited about living in Missoula and take advantage of all the opportunities this community provides.

Janet Zupan, Advising Coordinator/Instructor/Advisor

Phone: (406) 243-4210
E-mail: janet.zupan@umontana.edu

Janet's Study Tip: Strive to be an active, reflective learner. Move beyond memorization and recitation, to the ideas, concepts, and spirit behind every subject. Your college experience can be mind-altering. Approach it with verve!

I was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico (long ago!), but sped off from there and through my childhood to follow my dad in his career as a test pilot in the Air Force. He and my mom came from the Scott's Valley in Northern California, so for lack of a hometown, I adopted that one in my heart. In 1990, I earned an undergraduate degree in English Literature from California State University, Chico. I then came to The University of Montana, seeking an M.F.A. in Creative Writing (Poetry). Two years into that degree, I met and married a native Montanan (a move that extended my stay in this beautiful state!) We've been raising our three children together since 1992. After graduating, I've served as the director for Hellgate Writers, Inc., and worked as a poet-in-residence for the Missoula Writing Collaborative. I became part of the TRIO SSS staff in 1997 and feel very lucky and pleased about that!

Peter Donaldson, Advisor/Tutor Coordinator

Phone: (406) 243-4202
E-mail: peter.donaldson@umontana.edu

Peter’s Study Tip: Ask questions!  If there’s something you don’t understand (in an assignment, in a class lecture, in the course readings, or in reviewing your notes), don’t be afraid to find someone to help.   Your professors and TA’s are there to help you learn, so stop by during their office hours if you have questions.  Also seek out tutoring opportunities on campus or work with your classmates to start a study group.  No one can know everything, and the only way to learn is to ask!

I am originally from the Bozeman area and, while I enjoy traveling whenever possible, am so happy to have found a home here in Missoula and at the University of Montana.  I've been proud to be a part of the TRIO team at UM for over 12 years now.  I've found a passion in supporting education opportunities for students on our campus and across the state.  My employment background had focused on administration and Human Resources, but helping to make post-secondary education attainable to all has helped me to understand the value of education as a path for social mobility and a way for us all to understand one another better.  TRIO Works because the people who work here care about students. We're your biggest advocates and champions.  We look forward to you achieving your dreams through education, whatever that looks like for you!

Ben Hamman, Mentor Coordinator/Instructor/Advisor

Phone: (406) 243-5031
E-mail: ben.hamman@umontana.edu

Ben’s Study Tip: Don’t procrastinate. You don’t have to do everything immediately, but if you give yourself plenty of time to work on projects you’ll produce higher quality work, and you’ll save yourself a lot of stress

I grew up in southwest Missouri and received my bachelor’s degree in History in the Chicago area, where I lived for 15 years. My partner Charity and I drove to Missoula for a wedding in 2013 and fell in love with it, so much so that we moved here a year later. I was fortunate to start working as the Program Coordinator for TRIO SSS, where I discovered my love for working with students. I received my master’s degree in Public Administration at UM in 2017, and have worked on campus in the Registrar’s Office and the Department of Public Administration & Policy, as well. I believe deeply that education has the power to change lives in myriad beneficial ways and I’m passionate about helping students achieve their goals.

Courtney Bentz, Program Coordinator

Phone: (406) 243-5032
E-mail: courtney.bentz@umontana.edu

Courtney’s Study Tip: Set specific goals for each study session. This could be reading through and taking notes on a certain chapter, memorizing a set amount of vocabulary, etc. Not only does this make studying more efficient and the material seem more manageable, but it also makes you feel more accomplished at the end of each session.

Born and raised in Billings, I moved to Missoula for college in 2016 and haven’t looked back since. I earned a Bachelor’s in Russian with a Certificate in Global Studies at UM, and while I’ve worked a slew of different jobs over the years, my most recent position was teaching English in Kyrgyzstan on a Fulbright grant. Pursuing a college degree is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, as higher education has given me access to academic and professional opportunities that I never would have had otherwise. It’s even allowed me to leave Montana and travel abroad to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and South Korea. These experiences have completely transformed my life and my perspective on the world, and I am deeply passionate about helping TRIO students find and pursue opportunities of their own!

Heather Hibbard, Instructor and Advisor

Phone: (406) 243-4880
E-mail: heather.hibbard@umontana.edu

Heather's Study Tip: Try to connect course content to something meaningful or important in your life. The more you can connect, the more you will remember!

I am originally from Omak, Washington, and moved to Montana in 2002 to finish the last 2 years of by Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies. I later returned to school to complete a Master’s degree in Education. I have been with TRIO SSS since 2008, starting off as Program Assistant, then Tutor Coordinator, and now Instructor, Advisor, and Mentor Program Manager. If a student has a dream of earning their bachelor’s degree, I strongly believe that with our support, they will achieve it! Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my husband and two children!

The TRIO SSS staff has over 50 years of combined experience in TRIO programs. In a visit to our offices, you will find a welcoming, approachable, knowledgeable staff, and a diverse, hard-working, dedicated group of students. We take the goal of graduation seriously, and look forward to helping students toward this goal!