Flathead Valley Community College has announced four finalists in the search for its next president. 

Outgoing President Jane Karas is set to retire Dec. 31 after 25 years in the position. 

The finalists, who were selected from a pool of 90 candidates, are: J. Mark Browning, Daniel Czech, Andrew Fields and Deborah Kish Stephan. 

"We are excited to introduce four outstanding finalists who each possess strong leadership experience and distinct strengths. We look forward to giving our college and community the opportunity to meet them," Callie Langohr, chair of both the college’s Board of Trustees and its presidential search committee, said in a statement. "As we enter this final phase, we are also honoring the remarkable leadership and traditions that have brought FVCC to this moment while embracing the opportunities that lie ahead.” 

Browning is president and CEO of Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton, Oregon, a position he's held since 2021. He previously worked for the College of Western Idaho as vice president of communications and government relations. Browning holds a doctorate in higher education and community college leadership from Idaho State University.  

Czech has served as head of the School of Applied Sciences at the University of Mississippi since 2025. He previously served as dean of Eastern Kentucky University's College of Health Sciences. Czech holds a doctorate in performance psychology from the University of Tennessee. 

Fields is CEO of the University of Idaho Coeur d'Alene, a position he's held since 2022. He previously worked as Shasta College's dean of Extended Education in Redding, California. Fields holds a doctorate in educational administration and leadership from the University of the Pacific, along with trade credentials in welding technologies.  

Stephan has served as Hillsborough College's Brandon Campus president in Tampa, Florida, since 2021. She previously served as vice president of academic affairs at Northwest Florida State College. She holds a Juris Doctor in business law from the University of Florida, along with a doctorate in education.  

The public may meet the finalists at community forums scheduled from 8 to 8:50 a.m. Sept. 14-17 at the Wachholz Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, 777 Grandview Drive, Kalispell, in room 128.  

The forums will open with brief introductions followed by question-and-answer sessions. The forum schedule is as follows: Browning, Sept. 14; Czech, Sept. 1; Fields, Sept. 16 and Stephan, Sept. 19. 

Trustees are expected to conduct interviews with the finalists in September and select a president by the end of that month.  

THE FINALISTS were selected following a search process that included 11 candidate interviews. In March, the college hired consultants with the Association of Community College Trustees to conduct the search. Working with a search committee appointed by the college trustees, the process began with an online survey and public forums to gather input from students, staff and community members.  

A presidential profile was created and the position was advertised nationally alongside targeted outreach to prospective candidates, with applications closing in early July. The search committee spent the following weeks narrowing the candidate pool to the four finalists. Association of Community College Trustees consultants recruited candidates and conducted reference checks on finalists before inviting them to visit the campus. 

“This presidential search has been guided from the beginning by a deep sense of stewardship and responsibility to Flathead Valley Community College and the communities we serve,” Langohr said. 

FVCC has an enrollment of 3,491 students and a staff of 433. 

For more information visit fvcc.edu/presidential-search or call 406-756-3822.