Forums held as part of Flathead Valley Community College presidential search
Daily Inter-Lake | UPDATED 1 month AGO
A graduate receives his diploma during Flathead Valley Community College's Class of 2025 Commencement at the Wachholz College Center on Friday, May 16. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Flathead Valley Community College is hosting public forums and an online survey as part of its search for its next president.
The process invites input from across campus and the community with multiple opportunities. Feedback gathered will help identify priorities for the college’s next leader and inform the final selection.
Public forums will be held on April 20 at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. in the Arts & Technology, Room 319. Each session is about one hour.
The online survey runs through 8 p.m. on April 20 and is available at surveymonkey.com/r/QJSPZ9G
The FVCC Board of Trustees has partnered with the Association of Community College Trustees Searches to lead the process.
This is the college’s first presidential search in 25 years. President Jane Karas is set to retire at the end of the year after joining campus first as the vice president of academic and student services in 1999 and later moving into the role of president.
The position will be advertised nationally, with recruitment efforts focused on experienced community college leaders from Montana and across the country. ACCT will also conduct targeted outreach to identify highly qualified candidates.
The first phase of the search focuses on gathering input to define leadership qualities, challenges and opportunities that are important to the community. Community members, students and employees are invited to participate in public forums and an online survey. Feedback from these efforts will directly inform the presidential profile, which will guide recruitment and candidate evaluation.
The search committee was appointed by the FVCC Board of Trustees and reflects the breadth of the college’s community. Members include representatives from the Board of Trustees, faculty, administration, staff, the FVCC Foundation, students and community leaders.
Applications reviewed beginning in July, followed by semifinalist interviews. Finalists are expected to visit campus in September when open forums will provide opportunities to meet candidates and share feedback.
The Board of Trustees will conduct final interviews, select and announce the next president.