Annie Belcourt has always been curious about her surroundings.
It’s why she decided to enroll at the University of Montana for psychology in 1992. It’s why Belcourt transitioned from education to research after starting a post-doctoral position at the University of Colorado.
And her drive for knowledge is part of why she is taking over as chair for the Native American Studies Department at UM this fall. With the leadership role, she plans to be a mentor for Indigenous students while continuing her research uncovering disparities in tribal communities.
“I really would like to see things change for the better for the people that I come from,” Belcourt said. “I want to see more health equality in our state and, and to start to see more elevation of Native voices, you know, in many different areas.” Read more about JPB Fellow Annie Belcourt.