On February 1, 2020, Dr. Julia Haggerty was appointed to the Interim Director position for Montana Institute on Ecosystems (IoE). Dr. Haggerty’s leadership role begins immediately and will run through June 30, 2022 (i.e., 18-mo appointment). This timeframe was selected to allow for additional time to get through challenges with ongoing COVID uncertainties, and to cultivate a long term strategy for IoE funding and leadership. Over the next 18-months Dr. Haggerty will work to foster growth and impact IoE research and scholarship, as well as help to find creative strategies for supporting the outreach and curricular excellence within the Institute. Congratulations to Dr. Haggerty and the IoE!