About Us

Montana Assault Resource Index, Storytelling & Education

MT A.R.I.S.E. is the product of a Franke Global Leadership Initiative funded Capstone project done by four dedicated University of Montana students. This program's goal is to raise awareness and start conversations about sexual violence in the LGBTQ+ community of Montana along with share resources of support, recovery, and healing.

Our Story

When brainstorming what we wanted our capstone project to look like, we easily came to the conclusion that it had to have an intersectional aspect. While talking about issues that needed to be addressed in the lively college town of Missoula, sexual violence was at the forefront of all our minds. And since it is something most college students experience, we wanted to do something about it.

After some research, we identified a large gap of resources for the local queer population which led us to conduct conversations with community organizers, professionals, and, most importantly, sexual violence survivors. In response, an overwhelming majority expressed the importance of resource literacy and accessibility. This leads us to MT A.R.I.S.E., a web resource including a comprehensive list of resources for queer survivors and allies in addition to a podcast featuring interviews with students and professional to start a larger conversation around the disproportionately high occurrences of sexual violence in the LGBTQ+ community.

On this webpage, you can access our 10-epidose podcast series which includes conversations with therapists, legal advocates, organization leaders, and survivors. Our resource page also covers a whole range of topics from emergency hotlines to community organizations and more. Thank you for visiting our page and for continuing the journey towards justice and community healing.

Meet the Team

Emma Hixson

(she/her/hers)

Emma is a junior History major, Sociology minor at The University of Montana. Originally from Lansing, Michigan, she moved to Montana when she was 2 . Her interests include recreation, traveling, and hanging out with friends. Emma is passionate about disability rights and spends time volunteering at a summer camp for individuals with disabilities. Her hope after she graduates is to become an advocate for individuals with invisible as well as visible disabilities.

Cana Odegaard

(she/her/hers)

Cana is a third generation Montanan with a degree in Sociology from the University of Montana. Concentrating on Inequality and Social Justice, resource inequality is where her passion lies. In addition, an interest in the intersectionality of social inequalities with different cultures led to her extensive study of the Arabic languages and a minor in Arabic Studies. Moving forward, Cana hopes to meet injustices at their root with long lasting solutions by getting her Masters in Social Work. Even when she’s reading, baking, and enjoying the sun, she tries to share compassion and love wherever she goes.

Olivia Donohue

(she/her/hers)

Olivia Donohue is a fourth-generation Montanan currently pursuing a B.A. in Communication Studies at the University of Montana. Guided by a deep passion for human story and education, her academic work centers on early childhood development, trauma-informed care, and rhetorical practice. Olivia’s dedication to service shines through in her role as a preschool teacher, where she works to uplift and amplify the voices of others. Outside the classroom, you’ll find her hiking, journaling, or in yoga practice —always prioritizing a good laugh.

Kate Bick

(she/her/hers)

Kate was born and raised in Montana and graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in biology and minor in biochemistry. Interested in pursuing a career in medicine, she is passionate about improving access to informed and inclusive healthcare. In her free time, Kate loves being outside, especially in the summer, spending time on the river or in the mountains. You can often find her in the ceramics studio or trying to adopt neighborhood cats.