Jane Karas, president of Flathead Valley Community College, has been appointed by the American Association of Community Colleges to a new commission to help reshape the future of community colleges.

Karas is one of 36 experts from education, business, policy and communications making up the 21st Century Commission on the Future of Community Colleges.

The group is charged with examining challenges and opportunities confronting the nation’s largest and fastest growing education sector.

For only the third time in their 110-year history, community colleges are preparing to look at their broad and evolving mission.

“We have very intentionally selected commissioners who bring diverse viewpoints and backgrounds,” said AACC President Walter G. Bumphus. “That includes a few friendly critics who have consistently challenged community colleges to increase accountability and improve student outcomes.”

Over the next 10 months, the 21st Century Commission will meet in person and virtually to examine the community college mission in light of current economic realities. President Obama has challenged community colleges to educate an additional five million students with degrees, certificates or other credentials by 2020.

The first commission meeting will be Aug. 12 in Washington, D.C.

Along with the new commission, Karas became a member of the community college association’s executive committee as of July 1. She announced at an FVCC Board of Trustees meeting that she would be the chairwoman of the Committee on Program Initiatives.

“That will be great because I’ll get a firsthand look at everything that is happening at AACC,” Karas said.