Julie Murgel

 Julie Murgel

406-444-3172
Chief Program Officer

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Researching, analyzing, organizing, and implementing technical improvements in all areas of program areas including staff training, staff performance, policy development and data management.
  2. Performing the administrative and professional duties necessary to manage and direct programs within the agency.
  3. Developing policy initiatives to respond to a wide variety of complex educational reform efforts including the integration of changing federal requirements with existing state programs such as accreditation and assessment procedures.

Julie Murgel is the Chief Operating Officer for the Montana Office of Public Instruction. Julie leads the operations for the educational programs within the Student Support Services, School Improvement and Engagement, and the Teaching and Learning Departments. She uses a data-driven approach to guide her work and as a passion for innovation and cultivating leadership and empowerment in others. While supporting each program, Julie strives toward exceptional learning opportunities for all Montana students.

Tricia Simms

 Tricia Simms

406-438-3601
Administrative Specialist
 

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Organize ESSER documents into manageable categories.
  2. Assists Dr. Murgel and her team in responsibilities.
  3. Line up conference room meals for events

Tricia Simms, Administrative Specialist, looks forward to working with Dr. Murgel and learning about The OPI and ARP-ESSER State Plan for Montana. Tricia received her Computer Science degree from the University of Montana in 2002. She enjoyed learning new software applications, but soon realized she did not want to program software. Tricia was born in Missoula but moved 16 miles South in 1994 to Florence in the Bitterroot Valley. Tricia enjoys a spectacular view of the Bitterroot Mountains from her back door. Tricia has been married to her husband for 19 years and they have 2 teenage daughters. Tricia’s family enjoys camping at Flathead Lake in the summer and skiing the slopes at Discovery and Lost Trail in the winter. They have a 5 month old lab, Ivy, in training. Their furry family also includes a 5 year old pug and 2 cats whose serene lives have been turned upside down since the introduction of “Ivy”. Tricia also enjoys hot yoga, reading, mountain biking and watching her 2 girls play volleyball and softball for Florence Carlton School.