Your Network to Success
Dr. Amy Lincoln
Director, Office of Student Success
Amy joined the Allen Yarnell Office of Student Success in the summer of 2017. She received her B.S. and M.S. in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Washington. Amy’s clinical background included working with a diversity of clients struggling with speech, language and developmental disabilities in a private practice setting. Her clinical specialty in Speech Language Pathology was working with school-aged students with language based learning disabilities including reading, writing and executive processing challenges. Amy’s love of research lead her to pursue her PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience, focusing on reading, memory and learning, at the University of California, Davis. Throughout her career paths as a clinician, researcher and advisor, Amy is driven with a passion for supporting the success of struggling and underserved students. Amy and her family moved to Bozeman in 2008. In addition to a love for travel, which took the family overseas for several years, she enjoys summer hiking and winter skiing here in Montana with her husband, sons and golden retriever.
Wyatt Mitchell, M.A.
Second Wind Program Manager
Wyatt joined the Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success in the fall of 2021 when he embarked on a new chapter, leaving South Dakota for Montana. He grew up in a small agricultural town in California before leaving to earn both a BA degree and MA degree in the field of Communication from California State University, Fresno. He has taught at multiple universities in the Communication and Business departments which cemented his interest and faith in collegiate education systems. His passion for helping others, especially underserved populations, most recently led him to supervise and operate a residential youth therapy and treatment facility. Wyatt also is an avid outdoorsman who has spent close to a decade as a professional whitewater rafting guide and manager on multiple rivers across the country. When not on a campus or a river, he can typically be found hiking, backpacking, watching sports, and playing with his dog. Wyatt believes in continuous learning, personal improvement, and is endlessly positive and optimistic.
Dr. Julia A. Nance
Early Alert, Student Success and Faculty Liaison Program Manager
Dr. Julia Nance joined the Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success as the Early Alert Program Manager in July 2021. Born and reared in Bozeman, Julia spent many years in Southern California. While in San Diego, she earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology, and she is a lifelong learner. Prior to returning to Bozeman, Julia worked as a Licensed Clinical Psychologist at a CA State Correctional Facility where she oversaw the LGBTQ+ Support Unit and provided clinical services for inmates; she also trained and supervised psychology practicum students and interns. Due to her passion for learning and dedication to work with students, she enthusiastically pursued a career at MSU, Bozeman. Aside from her career, Julia enjoys yoga, bicycling, walking, hiking, practicing mindfulness, learning, and spending time with family and friends.
Maria Perks, B.A.
Student Success Coordinator
Maria joined AYCSS as a Success Advisor in the spring of 2021. Before becoming a Success Advisor, Maria was an instructor of developmental math at MSU-Gallatin College. Maria holds a BA in mathematics from Gonzaga University. After serving in AmeriCorps, she pursued her career in education and has taught in a variety of academic settings primarily in the subject of math. Maria’s specific interest in the comprehension of math and the challenges and anxiety students must overcome in college led her to the position of Success Advisor.
Maggie Richardson, M.A.
Student Success Advisor
Maggie joined the Office of Student Success in the summer of 2021. Having earned a BA in English from Dartmouth College, and MA in Teaching of English from Teachers College, Columbia University and an Advanced Certificate in School Leadership from the City College of New York, Maggie holds teaching and school leadership credentials in Montana and New York State, where she spent 19 years teaching high school English and serving as an Assistant Principal in the New York City public school system. She is the District Clerk for rural Springhill School and a developmental writing instructor at Gallatin College. Maggie is excited about continuing her work supporting students as a Success Advisor. Relocating to Montana with her Bobcat alum husband, Maggie enjoys these varied opportunities to serve the students of Montana while exploring her new state on the hiking trails, cultivating a garden, and reveling in the sunshine and big sky.
Janet Barkow, M.A.
Student Success Advisor
Janet received a B.S. in Psychology from Colorado State University and a M.A. in Education from The University of Colorado. She taught Elementary Education for 14 years in Broomfield, Colorado. In 2003, Janet and her family reconnected with their Montana roots and moved to Bozeman. In Bozeman, Janet has worked at REI, taught Nordic Ski Clinics and been a K-12 Substitute School Teacher, in addition to working one on one with students as a Success Advisor.
Sonja Chandler, B.S.
Student Success Advisor