Early Alert Program
The Early Alert Program is an academic referral system utilizing instructors’ interactions and observations of their students to trigger action by Student Support Services across the Montana State University campus. The Early Alert Program Manager is the conduit between instructors and campus support partners.
The program works on three levels. It provides an easy way for faculty to voice their academic concerns, it informs program managers, academic advisors, and other student success staff of the academic concerns within their student populations, and is designed to motivate students to engage in help-seeking behaviors to improve academic outcomes. Combined, these three levels play an important role in the retention and persistence of students to graduation.
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Chip Ritter, M.A.
Early Alert Program Manager
Chip manages the Early Alert Program in which faculty refer students for academic support services. Chip, along with other campus partners, meet with referred students to assess their needs and provide individualized support. Chip believes the entire campus is a classroom, offering the opportunity to learn how you like to work, play, and socialize.
Chip earned his Bachelor of Arts in Clinical and Counseling Psychology with a minor in Vocal Music Performance from San Jose State University and his Master of Arts in Student Affairs Administration from Michigan State University. Chip has had a varied career having worked at four institutions of higher education in the States and abroad holding positions in Student Success and Academic Affairs. He has also worked for private tech firms and the Montana State Department of Labor & Industry. In addition to managing the Early Alert Program, Chip is an instructor for University Studies teaching US-103: Learning Strategies. He has special insight into Residence Life, Study Abroad, and the international student experience, having lived and worked outside the United States.
When not in the office, Chip can be found enjoying the Bozeman arts community, singing with the Bozeman Symphony Choir with his wife Nicole, or banking as many turns as possible at Bridger Bowl. He has two adult children.