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CCRLC Staff Profiles:
Tara Carolin
Director (Acting)
Paul Ollig
Research Education Coordinator
Originally from Minnesota, Paul earned a B.S. in Wildlife Biology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and later a M.S. in Conservation Social Science from the Teton Science School's Professional Residency in Environmental Interpretation and the University of Idaho. His master's project involved the development, implementation and evaluation of a three-week interpretive training program at Kenai Fjords National Park. As the research education coordinator, he will focus on developing products that help make research and science at Glacier National Park accessible and available to both front-line interpreters/educators as well as the general public. Paul is also a certifier and curriculum coordinator for the National Park Service's Interpretive Development Program and has worked as a lead interpretive park ranger at three national parks before joining the staff of the CCRLC in August, 2008.
Billie Thomas
Administrative Assistant
Billie holds a B.S. Recreation & Park Administration from the University of Wyoming, and strives to provide excellent visitor/staff/partner service while upholding the mission of the NPS. At the CCRLC, she coordinates temporary housing for visiting researchers, student interns, volunteers, and other collaborators (the CCRLC manages a fully furnished 8-bed house). She also coordinates meetings, workshops, brown bag seminars, corresponds with scientists, educators, non-profit organizations, maintains records for annual reports and publication summaries, and as a member of Glacier’s Green Team, coordinates the Glacier NP Red Bike-Share Program that provides a fleet of 27 bikes to staff and volunteers for use throughout the park.
Billie joined the CCRLC in May, 2004.
Jami Belt
Citizen Science Coordinator
Jami grew up near the shores of Lake Erie in Ohio and went to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio to pursue a career in wildlife/ human behavioral research. Her degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in biological sciences and neuroscience emphasized the importance of educating people as a means of enhancing biodiversity through preservation of habitat. After graduating she moved to Montana and in 1999, began studying the diverse natural resources of the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem, and sharing that knowledge as the Program Director for the Glacier Institute. Jami began her work with Glacier National Park’s Research Learning Center as the Citizen Science Program Coordinator. During this time she was accepted to the University of Montana’s Wildlife Biology program as a Boone and Crockett Fellow in April 2008 and began her graduate research in June 2008. After completion of her master’s degree she plans on furthering her career in wildlife research and conservation.
Jami joined the staff of the CCRLC in 2006.
Susan Sindt
Interpretive Park Ranger
Susan has worked seasonally in three different national parks, including Glacier, since 1991. Initially working in the area of fire ecology information, she now helps coordinate a new (2008) Citizen Science project: Mapping non-native invasive plants in the backcountry of Glacier National Park.
Susan joined the staff of the CCRLC in May, 2005.
Melissa Sladek
Educator and Graphic Designer
Melissa moved to Montana from Colorado in 2000 in order to attend graduate school at the University of Montana in Missoula. After adjusting to the clouds and rain of Missoula, (tip: drinking lots of coffee helps) she obtained a M.S. degree in Environmental Studies with an emphasis in education. Although sure that she would soon return to Colorado, the wildness of Montana and the beauty of Glacier and surrounding areas convinced her to stay. In the last seven years Melissa has taught thousands of students about our natural world as well as created a variety of interpretive and educational products. Born and bred in Minnesota, she is a true mid-westerner at heart…which means she works hard to get the job done and then complains about it later. Fun fact: Sladek means "brew master" in Czech.
Melissa joined the staff of the CCRLC in June, 2008.
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