The Flathead Valley Community College Board of Trustees on Thursday voted unanimously to approve the employment contract for Deborah Kish Stephan, who was offered the position of president in late September.

Stephan is replacing outgoing President Jane Karas, who started her career with the college as vice president of academic and student services in 1999. Karas revealed her retirement plans in February, kicking off a months-long search for a replacement. 

The approval of Stephan's contract came after a short delay. Trustees were expected to vote on it during a Sept. 28 meeting, but tabled the decision to allow more time for an attorney to review the agreement and for trustees to ask questions. 

As approved, the contract begins Jan. 1, 2027, and ends June 30, 2030. Stephan will earn a $250,000 annual salary for the first 18 months, plus a $30,000 yearly retention bonus, in addition to other benefits.  

“This is a dream come true for me, both professionally and personally. I'm just beyond honored,” Stephan said, joining the meeting remotely via a video call. “Flathead Valley Community College is a local treasure, and it has a very strong national reputation, so I'm deeply honored and incredibly excited to serve as your next president.” 

Stephan is coming to the Flathead Valley from Florida, where she has served as president of Hillsborough Community College’s Brandon Campus in Tampa since 2021. She holds a Juris Doctor in business law from the University of Florida and a doctorate in education from The Roueche Graduate Center of National American University. She also holds a master’s in business administration from the University of Florida, a bachelor's in secondary social science education and an associate degree, both from Florida State University.   

Stephan’s term begins Jan. 1. 

“My husband and I are already looking forward to packing our bags, and we are going to have to dust off our winter coats, as you know,” she told the trustees. “We look forward to seeing you in the new year.” 

The contract approval caps the end of a search process that has sparked pushback from faculty members. Before the contract was approved, faculty and staff members spoke for nearly 45 minutes, raising concerns about what they perceived as unequal pay raises and a lack of transparency from trustees throughout the search.  

“When you asked for our participation in the presidential selection process, we took this request seriously. I myself attended all four of the listening sessions and took serious consideration with my feedback,” said Maggie Doherty, an adjunct instructor of composition. “I assumed there’d be more openness from this board and hiring committee, especially after being asked to participate in the process. When there was a big discrepancy between the rank choice of faculty and staff versus what you ultimately decided, I thought this would be an opportune time for the governing body to speak to that.” 

Of the 11 faculty and staff who spoke during the meeting, more than half cited frustration over low wages that they said have not kept pace with inflation and rising costs of living while criticizing the salary and benefits in the new president's contract.  

“Over the past year and a half, our union members have spent countless hours in union meetings, arguing in negotiations and engaging in work behind the scenes to help secure a 2.5% raise for faculty, and we were told at one point that the college could not afford it,” assistant professor of psychology Ranell Mueller said. “We then became aware that the executive administrators were given 10% to 13% raises.” 

The college's Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications Julie Brempelis said previously that from Fiscal year 2023 through fiscal year 2026, about 90% of faculty received market adjustments ranging from 9% to 29% and six executive staff received adjustments ranging from 7% to 24%. Karas’ salary increased by 11%. 

When the public comment period concluded, board Chair Callie Langohr called for discussion among the trustees regarding the contract. After a lengthy silence, Trustee Mark Ruby offered the lone comment of the afternoon. 

“I just want to appreciate all the passion and preparation from the public comment. I think that was helpful to hear,” he said. “Hearing the concerns from those in the room here today, I think, is really important. And those are the future challenges for us to take seriously. And I'm sure Dr. Stephan, if this moves forward, will too.” 

After the trustees voted unanimously to approve the contract, Langohr said the vote marked an end and a beginning.  

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am pleased to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to Dr. Stephan as the next president of Flathead Valley Community College.” 

Reporter Elsa Ericksen can be reached at 406-758-4459 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.