Meet the finalists for FVCC’s next president
HILARY MATHESON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month AGO
Flathead Valley Community College President Jane Karas, who is retiring at the end of the year, gives the commencement speech at the college's 58th commencement ceremony held at Wachholz College Center on Friday, May 15. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
EDUCATION REPORTER Hilary Matheson covers education for the Daily Inter Lake. Her reporting focuses on schools, students, and the policies that shape public education across Northwest Montana. Matheson regularly reports on school boards, district decisions and issues affecting teachers and families. Her work examines how funding, enrollment and state policy influence local school systems. She helps readers understand how education decisions affect students and communities throughout the region. IMPACT: Hilary’s work provides transparency and insight into the schools that serve thousands of local families. | September 14, 2026 12:00 AM
The public is invited to meet the four finalists being considered for the Flathead Valley Community College president position this week.
The community forums will open with brief introductions followed by question-and-answer sessions. Each forum will be held from 8 to 8:50 a.m. at the Wachholz Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, 777 Grandview Drive, Kalispell, in room 128.
The forum schedule is as follows: J. Mark Browning, Monday; Daniel Czech, Tuesday; Andrew Fields, Wednesday; and Deborah Kish Stephan, Thursday.
The FVCC board of trustees will then conduct final interviews with each candidate during board meetings scheduled at 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday in room 100.
Browning is president and CEO of Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton, Oregon, a position he's held since 2021. 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. 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. Fields holds a doctorate in educational administration and leadership from the University of the Pacific, along with trade credentials in welding technologies.
Deborah Kish Stephan has served as Hillsborough College's Brandon Campus president in Tampa, Florida, since 2021. She holds a Juris Doctor in business law from the University of Florida, along with a doctorate in education.
The FVCC board of trustees is expected to make a final selection this month to replace outgoing President Jane Karas, who is set to retire Dec. 31 after 25 years in the position.
ARTICLES BY HILARY MATHESON
FVCC faculty issues no-confidence vote amid president contract negotiations
The FVCC Education Association, the Flathead Trades Instructors Association and the Federation of Flathead Valley Community College Adjunct Faculty have voted no confidence in FVCC Executive Director of Human Resources Karen Glasser, saying they have lost trust in her leadership and judgment.
United by yellow: Crosstown rivals stand together for suicide prevention
Students from Flathead and Glacier high schools used one of the valley’s top rivalries to send a visible message of hope and solidarity by wearing yellow for suicide prevention awareness in September and through October.
Reading between the lines: Flathead High School librarian champions literacy, critical thinking and choice
Aarica Phillips went to college intending to become a classroom teacher, earning a bachelor’s degree in K-8 education. Phillips also picked up a library endorsement, giving her more options in the job market at a time when teaching jobs were harder to find in some areas.