Helena, MT – Carroll College has appointed Dr. Jean Ollis as program director and department chair of its Master of Social Work (MSW) program, effective July 1, 2026. Dr. Ollis succeeds founding director Dr. James Petrovich as the nationally accredited graduate program enters its next chapter of growth.
Dr. Ollis joined Carroll in 2022 as an associate professor of social work and has been instrumental in the continued development of the college's clinically focused MSW program. A licensed clinical social worker with more than three decades of experience as a clinician, educator and program director, she has taught across the MSW curriculum, mentored students and adjunct faculty, and provided clinical supervision for graduates pursuing licensure. Before joining Carroll, Dr. Ollis spent 12 years at Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Ohio, where she served as MSW program director and department chair, in addition to roles as field education director and assistant professor.
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"Dr. Ollis has been an invaluable member of our faculty and brings the experience and leadership necessary to guide the next chapter of our Master of Social Work program," said Carroll College President Dr. Jennifer Glowienka. "I am confident the program will continue to prepare exceptional social workers who will strengthen communities throughout Montana and beyond. We are deeply grateful to Dr. James Petrovich for his leadership in launching the MSW program and establishing the strong foundation on which it continues to grow."
"Stepping into this role is both an honor and an exciting opportunity. I'm grateful to Dr. Petrovich for his outstanding leadership in establishing this program and setting it up for success. Advancing Carroll College's mission is a shared passion across our department. With such a skilled and dedicated team behind this program, I'm excited to help it grow while upholding the standards and excellence it's known for," said Jean Ollis, LCSW, LISW-S, DLd.
Since launching in 2021, the MSW program has graduated four cohorts totaling 87 students and steadily expanded its impact. While Montana remains central to the program's mission, its reach now extends well beyond the state, reflecting growing recognition of the program's quality and clinically focused curriculum.
Carroll's 100 percent online Master of Social Work program combines the flexibility of online learning with a clinically focused curriculum built around community, connection and competence. Students are prepared to serve individuals, families and groups through a curriculum grounded in four core pillars: trauma-informed, resilience-focused practice; evidence-based practice; integrated and interdisciplinary care; and professional leadership.
Designed to address the growing shortage of behavioral health professionals, the program prepares graduates for independent clinical licensure while emphasizing the knowledge and skills needed to serve vulnerable and marginalized populations. Through rigorous coursework and hands-on field education, students are equipped to enter practice with both clinical confidence and a deep commitment to compassionate care.
To improve access, Carroll introduced a spring admission pathway that allows students to begin the program with a lighter initial course load. The college also reduced MSW tuition by 18 percent beginning in fall 2025 and created a partnership scholarship program that provides participating organizations' employees with a scholarship equal to a 14 percent tuition reduction.
Looking ahead, Carroll plans to continue expanding the program by enrolling two cohorts annually beginning in 2026-27 with both fall and spring starts. The college is also exploring an accelerated Bachelor of Social Work pathway that would allow students entering with an associate degree to earn both a BSW and MSW in as little as four years. Additional faculty hiring is underway to support the program's continued growth.
Dr. Ollis earned both her Bachelor of Science in Social Work and Master of Social Work from The Ohio State University before completing a Doctorate in Leadership at George Fox University. Her research focused on resilience within the Somali refugee community in Columbus, Ohio, and she remains active professionally as a licensed clinical social worker in Montana, a Licensed Independent Social Worker-Supervisor in Ohio, and a practicing mental health therapist.
Carroll also expressed its appreciation to Dr. James Petrovich, who concluded his tenure as founding director on June 30. Under his leadership, the Master of Social Work program welcomed its first students, earned full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education through 2033, and established a strong reputation for preparing clinically focused social workers to meet critical workforce needs across Montana and the region. The college thanks Dr. Petrovich for his vision and leadership in building a program that is well positioned for continued success.
