See. Serve. Lead.

We’re inspired by the legacy of Max Baucus to break down barriers so that Montana students can see, serve, and lead locally and throughout the world.

Our Impact

About Max Baucus

Max Baucus is a former U.S. Senator and U.S. Ambassador to China, active today in business, public policy, and international affairs. In his years as an elected official and diplomat he was engaged in the most consequential issues of the past half-century, and continues to provide counsel as co-founder of the Baucus Group. He is a native of Montana—the state where he was raised in a ranching family, appeared on the ballot nine times, and never lost an election.

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We received this great feedback from Haylee Doney: “This summer, I had the opportunity to serve as a Baucus Leader MT interning with the MT Afterschool Alliance. I was able to spearhead their data collection project documenting gaps in out-of-school time care across the state. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with this amazing team on such an impactful issue. Throughout my experience, I worked to analyze, consolidate, and document complex data sets, as well as curate an organized outreach list through comprehensive research. My time with the MT Afterschool Alliance has been pivotal in augmenting my understanding of policy work on both a regional and national level, something I am deeply grateful for.”

Thank you, Haylee, for all your work!

Introducing Imani Kindness-Coleman, a 2026 Baucus Leader MT interning with the American Indian Governance & Policy Institute! Imani is a @umontanalaw student from Lodge Grass, Montana. We’re excited to see her good work this summer!

Big thanks to the Gates Foundation for their generous support of our summer internship programs.

Introducing Dylan Van Rossum, a 2026 Baucus Leader MT interning with the @mtfoodbanknetwork this spring and summer! Dylan is a @umontana student from Los Angeles, CA. She’s been doing great work so far and we’re excited to see her impact here in Montana.

Big thanks to @amazon for their generous support of this internship placement!

Introducing Mira Murphy, a 2026 Baucus Leader DC interning in the office of U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego this summer! Mira is a @umontana student from Billings, Montana. We’re excited to see what she’s accomplishing this summer!

Introducing Tina Maughan, a 2026 Baucus Leader MT interning with the Fort Missoula History Museum this summer! Tina is a @skcollege student from Polson, Montana. We’re excited to see what she accomplishes this summer!

Thanks to the Gates Foundation for their support of our Baucus Leaders MT programs! It’s so meaningful to be able to pair excellent students with great Montana nonprofits, so that students gain skills, experience, and networks while their host orgs have increased capacity.

Introducing Taylor Russell, a 2026 Baucus Climate Scholar interning at the Big Sky Sustainability Network Organization in Big Sky, MT! Taylor is a @montanastateuniversity student from Littleton, Colorado. We’re excited to see what she accomplishes this summer!

Introducing Allen Walker, a 2026 Baucus Leader MT interning with the Native American Development Corporation in Billings this summer! Allen is a Blackfeet Community College student from Heart Butte, Montana. We’re excited to see what he accomplishes!

Meet Gaby Eseverri, a 2026 Baucus Climate Scholar working in Singapore this summer! This position collaborates with The Nature Conservancy in Singapore, but is largely an independent project. Gaby is a @umontana graduate student from Miami, and an environmental writer. She’s currently focused on stories on the theme of borders: invasive species, immigration, and belonging. We’re excited to read what she creates this summer!

Introducing Jamie Tucker Crockett, a 2016 Baucus Leader DC interning in the Capitol Hill office of Congressman Pat Harrigan this summer! Jamie is a @umontana graduate from Nye, Montana, who will be attending @umontanalaw this fall. We’re excited to see what she accomplishes this summer!

Introducing Lukas Kosel (and his very cute pup), a 2026 Baucus Climate Scholar interning with @newleafclimate this summer! Lukas is a @montanastateuniversity student from Roberts, Montana. We’re excited to see what he accomplishes this summer!

Introducing Peyton Racine, a 2026 Baucus Leader Montana interning with TRIO Upward Bound this summer! Peyton is a @skcollege student from Ronan, Montana. We’re excited to see what he accomplishes this summer!

Meet Natalie Millar, a 2026 Baucus Climate Scholar interning at Disneyland Shanghai this summer! Natalie is a @umontana student from Missoula, Montana. She also traveled with us on the China 1 Study Abroad trip in the spring with our founders, Ambassador Max Baucus and Mel Hanes, and was an excellent participant. We’re excited to see what she accomplishes this summer!

Introducing Chandler May, a 2026 Baucus Leader DC interning with the office of U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich this summer! Chandler is a @umontana student from Bozeman, MT. We’re excited to see what she accomplishes this summer!

Big thanks to the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation for supporting our DC internships. We’re grateful to be sending so many stellar Montana students to Capitol Hill!

Introducing Jesse Jones, a 2026 Baucus Climate Scholar interning with @northwesternenergy! Jesse is a @umontanalaw student from the Missouri Ozarks. We’re excited to see what he accomplishes this summer!

Introducing Haylee Doney, a 2026 Baucus Leader MT interning with the MT Afterschool Alliance, which works to support and advocate for programs that strengthen communities, nurture youth, and ignite learning beyond the school day. Haylee is a @umontana student from Clancy, Montana. We’re excited to see Haylee’s impact this summer in her home state!

Meet Chris Holstine, a 2026 Baucus Climate Scholar interning with the Climate Team at the City of Missoula! Chris is a @umontana student from Boise, Idaho. We’re thrilled to be working with the City’s Climate Team again, and excited to see what Chris accomplishes!

Introducing Margaret Muirhead, a 2026 Baucus Leader MT working with the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana as a summer law clerk! Margaret is a @umontanalaw student from Boston, MA. We’re excited to see what she’s accomplishing this summer!

Introducing Emma White, a 2026 Baucus Climate Scholar interning at the South China Morning Post this summer! Emma is a @umontana student from Bozeman, Montana. This position with @scmpnews is highly competitive and prestigious, with interns going to Hong Kong from around the world. Congrats to Emma, and we’re excited to see what she accomplishes!

Her articles are at @emmalwhite_journalism 🔥

Introducing Mint Pitassy, a 2026 Baucus Leader MT working with the American Indian Governance & Policy Institute (AIGPI)! Mint is a @umontana student from Helena, MT. Mint is also one of two of our students working on an online portal that helps users understand the Indian Child Welfare Act. AIGPI is always a great host who does good work, and students gain excellence experience and skills. Thanks for your work, Mint!

Introducing Caili Lowney, a 2026 Baucus Leader MT working with the Montana Budget & Policy Center! Caili is a @umontana student from Helena, Montana. @montanabudget has been one of our host offices since we first started this program, and students always have a great experience with them. We’re grateful for their partnership and excited to see how this summer goes!

Meet Ethan Ashwood, a 2026 Baucus Climate Scholar working with @newleafclimate this summer! Ethan is a @montanastateuniversity student from Seeley Lake, MT. This is our second year with New Leaf Climate Partners as a host office and we’re excited to see what they accomplish this summer!

Introducing Jacob Harvey, a 2026 Baucus Leader DC interning in the office of U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer! Jacob is a @montanastateuniversity student from Dillon, MT. We’re excited to see what he accomplishes this summer!

Introducing Grace Smith, a 2026 Baucus Leader MT working with the American Indian Governance & Policy Institute this summer! Grace is a @umontana student from Three Forks, Montana. She already began working with AIGPI this spring and is doing an awesome job!

Introducing Kendra Gilbertson, a 2026 Baucus Climate Scholar spending the summer in Singapore with The Nature Conservancy! Kendra is a @montanastateuniversity student from Prior Lake, MN. We’re looking forward to seeing what she accomplishes!

Introducing Nia Guest, a 2026 Baucus Leader DC interning in the office of U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell! Nia is a @umontana student from Spokane, WA. We’re excited to see how her summer on Capitol Hill goes!

Thanks to the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation for all their support of our Baucus Leaders DC program.

Meet Jay Barlow, a 2026 Baucus Climate Scholar working with the International Energy Agency in Paris, France! Jay is a @umontanalaw student from Missoula, MT. We’re excited to see his work on international climate and energy initiatives this summer!

Introducing Jake Moore, a 2026 Baucus Leader MT interning with @thehrdc (Human Resource Development Council). Jake is a @montanastateuniversity student from Rocklin, CA. We’re excited for this new partnership with HRDC and to see what Jake accomplishes with them this summer!

Introducing Delaney Swaim, a 2026 Baucus Leader DC interning in the office of U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley this summer! Delaney is a @montanastateuniversity student from Glen Carbon, IL. We’re excited to see how her summer goes!

Special thanks to the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation for their support of our DC internships.

Meet Gavin Cloyed, a 2026 Baucus Climate Scholar working with Nature & Future. Gavin is a student at @montanastateuniversity from Boise, Idaho. We look forward to seeing what he accomplishes!

Meet Kaylie Baxter, a 2026 Baucus Leader DC interning in the office of U.S. Senator Patty Murray! Kaylie is a student at @montanastateuniversity from Snohomish, Washington. Thank you for your commitment to public service, Kaylie!

Special thanks to the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation for their support of our Baucus Leader DC program. 💕

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Current Updates

What We Do

Public Service

Climate

China Study Abroad

The Baucus Leaders Program offers undergraduate and graduate students summer internships in Washington, D.C., or Montana, placing them with Congressional, public sector, or nonprofit offices to experience first-hand the legislative and policy-making process.

Through paid internships, immersive study abroad, and public speaker events, our programs connect students with leading voices and organizations in climate law and policy—whether working with national climate organizations, studying international climate law in Ireland, or engaging with global leaders through the Stockman Bank Speakers Series.

Our China Study Abroad programs introduce Montana university students to Chinese culture, business, government, history, and climate-smart manufacturing, building a cohort of leaders equipped to take on the toughest challenges of the 21st Century.

Student Opportunities

Baucus Leaders DC

Every summer we place undergraduate and graduate students as paid interns in Congressional offices and committees in Washington, D.C. to experience politics and the legislative process first-hand.

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Baucus Climate Scholars

Every summer we place undergraduate and graduate students with organizations working at the forefront of climate and environment issues. From Washington D.C. to Shanghai to Singapore to Montana, our students gain experience around the globe.

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Baucus Leaders MT

Every summer we place undergraduate and graduate students with public-service focused nonprofit organizations and local governments across Montana. These opportunities are flexible and often part-time, making them perfect for students who have commitments close to home.

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Study Abroad

Our study abroad programs draw from Max Baucus’ life and work, including serving as the U.S. Ambassador to China. We bring Montana students to China and Ireland for immersive cultural experiences. These students, many of whom have never traveled internationally, get to eat, explore, and study alongside students from these countries.

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Past Newsletters

Check out our bi-annual newsletter to see what we’ve been doing, get introduced to our program participants, and go in-depth to the Institute’s history.

Spring 2025 Newsletter

Spring 2024 Newsletter

Spring 2023 Newsletter

Stockman Bank Speakers Series

We bring global thought leaders in the areas of economic development, foreign policy and politics to Montana for public discussions about issues of critical importance to the future of our country. Thanks to the generous support of our donors, Stockman Bank Speakers Series events are free and open to the public.

Previous events

Great Power Competition in the 21st Century

On the evening of April 17, 2025, the Hager Auditorium of the Museum of the Rockies was filled to overflowing with a crowd eager to hear Ambassadors Max Baucus (China) and Michael McFaul (Russia) discuss Great Power Competition in the 21st Century.

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A Climate Conversation with Al Gore

In October of 2021, we hosted A Climate Conversation featuring former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and former U.S. Senator and Ambassador Max Baucus. The event was hybrid, with an in-person audience at the University of Montana.

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Inaugural event with Maureen Dowd & Carl Hulse at UM

In 2018, the Institute hosted our first event with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maureen Dowd and the New York Times chief Washington correspondent Carl Hulse in conversation at the University of Montana.

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