University Communications and Marketing

MSU Billings selects Director of Military and Veterans Success Center

Dawn Githens will begin her new role Nov. 19

University Communications and Marketing, 657-2266

MSU BILLINGS NEWS—Montana State University Billings is pleased to announce that recently retired Air Force Colonel Dawn Githens has been selected as Director of the Military and Veterans Success Center. She will assume her new role Nov. 19. Githens was most recently Director of Strategy Plans and Programs for the U.S. Air Force at the Joint Space Operations Center in Vandenberg, Calif.

“I am excited for Dawn to join our Yellowjacket family with her vast background of military service and numerous leadership roles,” said Chancellor Dan Edelman. “Her experiences with students, faculty, and military personnel will serve her well in this role as she leads our institution forward and forges connections with our veteran and military students.” 

Githens has a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Oregon State University, as well as three master’s degrees; Space Systems Management from Webster University, Military Operational Art and Science from Air Command and Staff College, and Joint Operational Planning and Strategy from National War College.

Her previous military and veteran leadership positions include serving as the Director of Plans and Programs for the Joint Space Operations Center, leader of Air Forces Space Training School, and Air Force Instructor and Training Developer. Githens’ duties in these positions included teaching and advising students, managing courses and instructors, and working with colleges to ensure military members received college credit for the technical training courses.

As military veteran and leader who deployed to Afghanistan in 2009, Githens brings over 24 years of military leadership experience to further her involvement in assisting military members, their families, and other veterans.

She will serve as the first director of the newly opened center, which was dedicated during a ribbon-cutting ceremony during MSUB’s Veterans Day Celebration on Nov. 11.