Alexis Pike

Alexis Pike is a Professor in the School of Film and Photography at Montana State University's College of Arts and Architecture. Her office is located in the Visual Communications Building (Room 221), and she can be contacted at (406) 994-7588 or apike@montana.edu. She holds a B.F.A. in Visual Arts from Boise State University (1992) and both an M.A. (1995) and M.F.A. (1996) in Studio Art from the University of Iowa.

Her research examines the settlement of the American West through feminist frameworks, analyzing land use patterns and cultural mythologies. She combines photographic practice with historical investigation, exploring themes of gender, risk perception, and regional identity. Her creative work spans documentary filmmaking, exhibition curation, and photographic publications that critically engage with Western narratives.

Recent scholarly trends show consistent focus on Western identity formation through both historical analysis (as seen in her Annie Pike Greenwood documentary) and contemporary artistic practice (such as her experimental color photography). Her publications frequently intersect visual arts, gender studies, and cultural geography.

Awards and recognition include:

• Founders Day Faculty Award - President's Excellence in Service Learning (2024)
• Multiple nominations for teaching excellence including the Baum Award for Emerging American Photographer (2016)

Professor Pike actively engages in academic service as a program reviewer for institutions including University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and Boise State University. She organizes youth photography workshops through Big Sky Youth Empowerment and serves as juror for national photography competitions.