Institutional Goals A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Mission
Flathead Valley
Community College
promotes excellence in
lifelong learning, focused
on student success and
community needs.
Institutional Goals
Goal #1
We will provide educational
programs and courses that
prepare our students for
transfer to other postsecondary
institutions, for the workforce
and for citizenship.
Goal #2
We will increase lifelonglearning
opportunities
for our students and our
community.
Goal #3
We will be responsive to the
community’s economic and
workforce training needs.
Goal #4
We will promote programs and
activities that enhance the
cultural and social well-being of
our students and communities.
Goal #5
We will foster a positive learning
and working environment and
provide support services for
student success.
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Friends:
It is my privilege to present the 2005 Annual Report for Flathead Valley Community College. As you
study our report, I think you will agree that 2005 was a year that highlighted exciting successes for
our students, faculty and community. From record-sized graduating classes on both the Kalispell and
Lincoln County campuses to an esteemed Best Practices Award honoring the College’s innovation
and leadership in establishing the Flathead Business and Economic Council, the College continues
to achieve our community mission to promote excellence in lifelong learning, focused on student
success and community needs.
Every day, I meet new and returning students. Although a diverse group, these Montanans have
one thing in common: they share a vision and a commitment to live and work in Montana. They seek
education, support and training to achieve those goals for themselves and for their families.
Last year the College’s annual graduate survey reported that 98 percent of our graduating class, who wanted a job, were able
to secure employment and are working today locally in Flathead, Lake and Lincoln counties. That is the sixth consecutive year
that more than 95 percent of all FVCC job-seeking graduates successfully secured employment. Another remarkable fact is that
more than half of FVCC graduates plan to transfer to four year colleges, and many of them will invest in Montana colleges.
FVCC students’ perspectives on the benefits of higher education are the most obvious, but as they join and rejoin our local
workforce, their expanded skills translate to higher salaries for themselves and higher standards of living for their families and
a more robust local economy for Northwest Montana. I hope you will join me in my enthusiasm and pride for another year of
outstanding achievement by our students and the communities who support them.
Strategic Initiatives
Sincerely,
Dr. Jane A. Karas
At FVCC, we will:
• Add value to students’ lives;
• Provide meaningful learning experiences;
KALISPELL & LIBBY MONTANA
• Excel as a preferred community resource and regional resource;
• Increase resources to support continuous growth and improvement;
• Foster a climate that enhances the well-being and productivity of college employees;
• Continue to serve as an accountable steward of public funds and trust; and
• Maintain facilities and infrastructure to meet changing community needs.
ADMINISTRATION
Jane A. Karas, Ph.D.
President
Kathy Hughes, M.Ed.
Vice-President of Instruction
Sheila Gestring, C.P.A.
Chief Financial Officer
Faith Hodges, M.B.A.
Director, Enrollment Planning and Research
Ruth Ackroyd, CFRE
Director, College Relations
Warren Tolley,
Director, Human Resources
Bill Bond, M.S.
Director, Management Information Services
Patrick Pezzelle, M.A.
Director, Lincoln County Campus
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Robert A. Nystuen, Chair – Kalispell, MT
John D. Engebretson, Vice-Chair – Kalispell, MT
Thomas K. Harding – Whitefish, MT
Mark Holston – Kalispell, MT
Jeanne Tallman – Whitefish, MT
Alison Young – Whitefish, MT
Kathleen Young – Kalispell, MT
FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE BOARD
Nancy Gordley, Board Chair
Whitefish, MT
Russell Barnes, Vice Chair
Libby, MT
Paul Williams, Treasurer
Kalispell, MT
Kathy Barkus – Kalispell, MT
Lynn Bauer – Whitefish, MT
Steve Becker – Libby, MT
Carol Blake – Kalispell, MT
John Bowdish – Kalispell, MT
Henry Brown – Whitefish, MT
Sally Elliman – Whitefish, MT
Ed Jasmin – Bigfork, MT
Patrice LaTourelle – Whitefish, MT
Donna Lawson – Bigfork, MT
Leslie Mercord – Kalispell, MT
Andy Miller – Kalispell, MT
Frank Morrison – Whitefish, MT
Kathleen Redman – Marion, MT
Henry K. Ricklefs – Whitefish, MT
Margie Simpson – Kalispell, MT
Ralene Sliter – Kalispell, MT
Ellie Stimpson – Lakeside, MT
Cheryl Wilson – Kalispell, MT
Pat Winkel – Kalispell, MT
Darrell Worm – Bigfork, MT
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Lin Akey – Whitefish, MT
Allan Aronson – Kalispell, MT
Lee Berger – Kalispell, MT
Jerry Brobst – Kalispell, MT
Mary B. Gibson – Kalispell, MT
Megan Gordley – Whitefish, MT
Chris Hyatt – Whitefish, MT
Lil Laidlaw – Rollins, MT
Dorothy Laird – Whitefish, MT
Roger Somerville – Kalispell, MT
EX-OFFICIO, NON-VOTING DIRECTORS
Jane A. Karas, President
John D. Engebretson, Board of Trustees
Kalispell, MT
STAFF
Ruth Ackroyd, CFRE
Director of College Relations
Susan Evans
Advancement Services and
Communications Specialist
Flathead Valley Community College does not discriminate on the basis of
race, color, national origin, sex, age or handicap in admission or access
to, or treatment or employment in its educational programs or activities.