Continuing Education Center
October 2013
Monthly Report to FVCC Board of Trustees
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Facilitated 5,151 hours of continuing education for 642 lifelong learners.
# of Classes
# of students
Total Educ. Hours
Community Education
45
397
3706
Ed2go
22
22
308
Contract Training
5
42
866
Community Lectures
2
181
271
TOTAL
74
642
5,151
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C.E. staff assisted Disability Rights Montana staff during the October 3 and October 4 two
day “Special Education: Kids, Families, Schools and the Law” symposium. A total of 96
students attended.
The introduction of the fall senior seminars program was held on Fridays October 4, 11, and
18. A total of 32 seniors participated in the three classes.
Held two free community lectures. “Glacier National Park: Embracing the Unknown by
Foot, Horse Rail and Auto” presented by Sharon Randolph on October 15; 92 people
attending. The “Yellowstone Country” lecture on October 23 was presented by Rick and
Susie Graetz; 89 people attended.
Debbie Struck and Leslie Rogers met with Lowell Jaeger and Hannah Bissell regarding
promotion for their upcoming poetry reading on November 13.
Connee Greig, Debbie, Leslie R. and Susie Burch met with Gunsmithing Coordinator
Brandon Miller to continue planning for the summer program. Also met with Gail Whitney
and Dan Leatzow regarding the inclusion of Gunsmithing classes as a tier level III and IV
with the manufacturing certificate.
Staff held discussions with Connie Hitchcock and Kristen Jones regarding the spring
schedule format.
With the assistance of Bill Nicholson, staff reviewed and revised our instructor hiring process
using lean process analysis.
Interviewed instructor applicants.
Hosted a “meet and greet” as part of the new credit faculty orientation.
Susie completed the report for a “virtual” NWCCU accreditation visit.
Jill worked with FVCC staff and faculty to plan United Way fundraising campaign.
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Economic Development
 Susie attended Montana Manufacturing Extension Center’s quarterly advisory committee
meeting which was held in Kalispell. FVCC has representation on this committee as an
MMEC host.
 Susie welcomed participants and attended the National Parks and Conservation Association’s
Economic Forum which was held on campus on October 18.
 Susie attended the Kid’s Coding meet-up at Vubiquity.
Entrepreneurship Center – Jill Seigmund
 Attended the National Association of Community Colleges for Entrepreneurship in Charlotte,
NC Oct. 12 – 17.
 Worked with Chris Hanchett, Connie Hitchcock, Gail Whitney and Jessica Hopkins to draft
proposal for new I.D.E.A. certificate and new Thinkering 2.0 class
 Attended BEAR meeting and participated in a BEAR interview with a local business.
 Participated in a strategic marketing initiative for Kettle Care.
 Met with a client regarding his business idea.
 Met with editor/publisher of 406 Woman Magazine to arrange for regular column from the
FVCC Entrepreneurship Center. Also met with a reporter from The Mercury regarding Best
of TED Festival.
 Met with AMAMII grant assessors regarding Year 1 progress
 Facilitated the Ice House Entrepreneurship Program class and the Reality Check class.
 Participated in Profit Mastery training.
 Participated in NCRC testing – Applied Mathematics, Reading for Information
 Met with new instructors/faculty.
Small Business Development Center
 We are very pleased to announce that John Balsam has been hired as the new regional
director of the Northwest Montana Small Business Development Center. John brings
considerable experience in assisting business clients with a special focus on technology and
innovation start-ups. His first day will be November 18.
Monthly Report to FVCC Board of Trustees
Instruction and Student Services
November 2013
Accomplishments
 The Physical Therapist Assistant Program was awarded initial accreditation by the
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Program Director Janice
Heil and Assistant Professor Julie Robertson have worked tirelessly for more than a year
to meet the stringent requirements – they are to be commended for their efforts.
 LearningSpace equipment was installed in the Paramedicine and Nursing classrooms in
the Broussard Center. About 10 faculty and staff received extensive training on using the
new system. LearningSpace allows faculty to create annotated video of actual student
performance - the video can be used for student evaluation and feedback. A smaller
portable GO unit can be used for video capture to enhance online and hybrid courses.
 The Scholars Program underwent a Self Study that articulated the history and current
state of the program with a look to a new five year plan. An outside evaluator came for
an onsite study visit. She spent two days reviewing materials and visiting with a variety
of individuals inclusive of the President, faculty, and students. Her wrap-up was a
positive reinforcement of the strength of the program’s design and implementation. As
the program looks to its next five years, she encouraged more specific service learning
components, continuation of adequate funding, potentially hiring administrative support
to assist the Director, and efforts to expand the program.
 As one of four schools in the state, FVCC will participate in a Health Information
Technology grant by providing our fully online certificate program in HIT. This grant
targets incumbent health care workers and students will come from a variety of network
providers specifically in rural settings inclusive of rural hospitals and community health
care centers.
 A cast of students presented the play Blythe Spirit in October. Unique to this production,
David Feldman, of Dave Feldman Designs, New York, created the entire lighting design
for the show. In addition to his design work, David presented a special seminar for the
theatre students and provided students hands on experience as the lighting design was
implemented. David is a former student of Joe Legate, when both were at SUNYOneonta.
 The Student Art Show will be open from November 14th through December 18th. The
awards ceremony will be on December 5th. Judging will be by Elizabeth Moss of the
Hockaday Museum of Art.
 The FVCC Navigators (Jori Bullemer, Will Richards, and Greg Bruns), funded through
the TAACCCT grant have been busy this fall. Activities to date include:
o Enrolling 13 Advanced Manufacturing Students and advising incoming OT
students
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o Employing a Coaching Model of Advising to support student retention and
success – often involving considerable contacts up front to navigate admissions,
financial aid, registration, other funding providers and community resources;
o Maintaining a presence at Flathead Job Service two days a week to serve
unemployed, underemployed, potentially TAA eligible potential students and
Veteran’s with Disabilities;
o Developing a “Back to School” presentation to be delivered monthly for Job
Service clientele who are considering FVCC, but haven’t known where to start;
o Outreaching to other training (funding) programs throughout the area to educate
on new short term training opportunities designed to get their clientele training
and back into the workforce in a timely manner (Vocational Rehabilitation, TAA,
Workforce Investment Act, Rural Dynamics, Rural Employment Opportunities);
o Outreaching to local manufacturing employers for Advanced Manufacturing
Forum and to establish NCRC bench-line testing;
o Developing Navigator Manual to guide local efforts and be used as a tool for
TAACCCT III Navigators statewide;
o Administering NCRC tests;
o Receiving and following up on Early Alert notifications for OT students;
o Establishing a Navigator Bulletin Board to communicate with students trades
specific opportunities in the areas of Navigator Support, Student Support
Services, Financial Aid/Scholarships, Internships/work study, Registration and
Graduation Timelines and requirements, Employment Preparation and Activities
and address any disconnectedness that trades students may experience;
o Degree audits for OT students resulting in necessary substitution requests and
graduation applications required for degree completion; and
o Initiating a 6 day seminar known as Lincoln County WORKS on November 5 in
partnership with Lincoln County Campus, along with the Kootenai Job Service
and Northwest Montana Community Action Partnership for local job seekers and
future students. Based loosely on the Military Transition Assistance Program, the
seminar provided students with the skills and confidence to succeed in the job
market. The seminar included such topics as creating a career inventory; resume
writing and interviewing skills, and completing the NCRC assessment. Eight
students enrolled in the program’s inaugural offering with overwhelmingly
positive feedback.
Beth Romain traveled to Browning High School on October 28 to discuss dual
enrollment opportunities.
Beth Romain scheduled and facilitated an on-campus meeting with FVCC Health Science
instructors and High School BioMed teachers on October 30.
The annual Children’s Halloween Party sponsored by Student Government and multiple
student organizations was held on October 29 with over 100 children attending.
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FVCC’s International Student Program hosted 6 Brazilian high school students and their
chaperone from the Brazilian confederation of industries on November 3-11. The
Brazilian students were part of the US Brazil Connect partnership program that FVCC
entered in 2013. Five FVCC students were selected last January to travel and teach ESL
in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, for the month of July. The students who visited FVCC were
taught by our very own FVCC students. During their stay, the Brazilian students
attended academic classes and occupational trades demonstrations at FVCC, visited 9
different local high school classes, explored career coaching, participated and presented
in FVCC’s Multicultural Day, interacted with Global Friends (FVCC’s International
Student Club), toured the algae aquatechnology bio processor plant in Columbia Falls,
learned to ice skate, participated in indoor soccer and a video game tournament with
FVCC’s Intramurals programs, and visited Salish Kootenai College, Nine Pipes Museum,
the Bison Range and Glacier National Park. Gerda Reeb coordinated all aspects of the
Brazilians visit.
Mick Stemborski coordinated a Multicultural Day on November 5 which included
international tables in the Blake Hall foyer and a passport challenge for students. In the
evening Paulo Zegalo-Melo, from the University of Montana, presented a lecture.
Beth Romain and Katie White worked together to create a Running Start spring
registration campaign.
On November 12, Mick Stemborski hosted a lunch for Native American students to learn
more about the spring AIHEC (American Indian Higher Education Consortium)
gathering to be held in Billings on March 16-18.
As of November 12, the Admissions Office has received 128 new applications compared
to 158 applications on the same date last year.
As of November 12, 40 graduation applications for Fall 2013 have been received.
Applications for fall graduation will be accepted through November 22.
Early registration for spring semester began on November 19 for returning sophomores
and November 20 for all returning students. Registration for new students will begin on
December 3 and December 10 for Running Start students.
All degree audits have been built and new students have been assigned their degree audits
as well as returning students degree audits have been updated for change of majors.
Prior to early registration degree audits will be mailed to degree-seeking students with 30
or more credits completed encouraging students to meet with their advisor regarding
graduation. Additionally all certificate and CAS students will receive degree audits
showing their progress toward meeting their graduation requirements.
The FVCC Reading Group discussed Unbroken: a WWII story of survival, resilience, and
redemption by Laura Hillenbrand on November 20.
On November 21, Mick Stemborski sponsored a meditation workshop to prepare students
for upcoming finals and holiday stress.
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November Advising Huddles for FVCC faculty and staff included financial aid updated,
waitlist information, an overview of the biotechnology program, and a sneak peak of a
new history course being offered spring semester.
The Intramurals Program welcomes the new outdoor basketball court on campus. The
court is just 6 feet shy of a NCAA size court, with views of Glacier National Park
through one of the backboards. Student government donated one of the hoops;
Intramurals purchased the second hoop. Thanks to FVCC’s great maintenance crew, the
new hoops were recently installed. The Intramurals program looks forward to hosting
some 3 on 3 tournaments this spring. In the meantime almost 200 students have
participated in at least one Intramurals activity this fall. November activities included
hockey, dodge ball, trivia, basketball, Mariokart Wii tournament, indoor soccer, a canned
food drive bowling night.
LCC hired a new part time recruiter/marketer (Jared Fuller) on November 4th. He has
already generated some new ideas and has created an all in one admission packet for
brand new students. In addition, people are staffing informational tables in high traffic
areas like Job Service. LCC is also utilizing print media, fliers, radio advertisements,
reader boards, and our Facebook page.
The LCC staff are conducting question and answer sessions for juniors and seniors at the
Libby and Troy High Schools. These conversations are laying the groundwork for our
College for a Day (Dec 5) when all the Libby High School Seniors and freshmen attend
the Lincoln County Campus in person.
The first set of Libby CDL students will be taking the driver’s license test this week.
This class has already been scheduled to return to Libby next spring as we are seeing a lot
of interest in it.
Professional Development:
 A group of math and science faculty and staff are forming a team to attend WomenTech
training. The training is geared toward increasing the number of girls and women
seeking careers in math, science, engineering, computer science and technology.
 Sharon Nau and Marlene Stoltz attended the state MAACRAO (Montana American
Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers) meeting in Bozeman on
October 10-11.
 Beth Romain attended the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Accreditation
Workshop and Conference in Florida on October 19-21.
 Gerda Reeb and Mick Stemborski attended the NAFSA (Association of International
Educators) Region II Conference in Bozeman on October 21-24.
 Brenda Hanson attended (and served on planning committee for) the Western Region
NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education) Conference held in Salt
Lake City, November 6-9. Over 571 participants from the western United States and
Canada attended the conference.
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The Financial Aid office held an all-day staff retreat on November 15.
Jori Bullemer, Brenda Hanson, and Marlene Stoltz attended a TAACCCT/SWAMMEI
Consortium meeting in Great Falls on November 15.
Brenda Hanson attended a statewide Student Affairs Officers meeting in Bozeman on
November 20.
Margaret Girkins attended the PowerPath Trainings (Transforming Learning and
Innovating Instruction Level II) in Lexington, KY, on November 20-22.
Upcoming Events:
 The next theater production will be Reckless, a Christmas fable, running Dec. 5, 6, 7, 12,
13 and 14 at 7pm.
 The theater department will also host Moradokmai Community Theatre Thailand, with
principal and former FVCC student Janaprakal Chandruang . The performance is
December 2nd at 2pm with free admission.
Monthly Report to FVCC Board of Trustees
Media Services and Management Information Systems
November 25, 2013
Accomplishments:
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The computer systems for HiSET testing have been installed, configured and readied for
use in LRC126.
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The computer systems in the LRC Testing Center have been upgraded and configured for
web-based Compass academic placement testing.
Currently in the Middle of:
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The implementation of the Siemens PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) software
system - currently working on the data store system and client system software
installation processes.
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The reporting substructure for Wait Listing enrollment information is being developed
and readied for 2014 Spring registration.
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Staff computer replacements scheduled for this academic year are underway, as per the
computer replacement plan.
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Developing a course-based learning outcomes data module, accessible from within the
Faculty Portal.
Institutional Advancement
Monthly Report to FVCC Board of Trustees
November 2013
Foundation
 Over 250 people attended the annual Scholarship Luncheon held October 29 to recognize
our scholarship donors and the student recipients.
 Scholarship reading/rating committee meeting is scheduled for December 5 to review
applications for scholarships available for the spring 2014 semester.
 Foundation Review Committee met to make recommendations for 2014 Enhancement
Grant awards; Foundation Board approved $20,462 in funding for seven projects and
student travel
at its Board meeting on November 14.
 The Foundation co-hosted a Charitable Givers Update to discuss changes in 2013 income
tax laws, estate and gift tax updates and tax planning strategies through charitable giving.
Hosting partners included JCCS, the Flathead Community Foundation and the Glacier
Symphony and Chorale on November 19.
 Festival of Flavors netted $150,000 to support scholarships and programs. Next year’s
Festival is scheduled for September 25 - October 4, 2014. Foundation Events Committee
will start meeting in January.
 Festival of Flavors 2013 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon and wrap up meeting was
held November 20.
 A Foundation retreat has been scheduled for Tuesday, January 14 to review our impact
on student success through our mission to provide private funding for scholarships,
programs and buildings.
Communications, Marketing and Web Activities
 Producing the college’s President’s Report, formerly Annual Report; the publication will
be mailed to donors, legislators and other key community partners in December.
 Completed production of the revamped academic program fliers which are in the process
of being distributed to all area high schools to help boost high school recruitment; the
fliers will be on display in branded metal racks at each of the high schools and also will
be available in Blake Hall and in the Learning Center on campus.
 Katie White and Tara Roth participated in FEMA Basic Public Information Officer
Training October 29 and 30.
 Developed and executed marketing and communications campaign to promote the new
Course Wait List feature
 Met with Educational Services to discuss strategic marketing for academic programs
 Met with Professor Elaine Torda for The Scholars Program self-study and discussed
marketing and communications strategies and tactics for the program
 Built new website for the Kalispell Mini Maker Faire scheduled for February 22, 2014
 Continued design and development for new FVCC Theatre website
 Added reporting enhancements to Scholars Program registration site
 Coordinated press coverage of two biotechnology students who presented research at the
National Science Foundation conference in Washington D.C. in October. The article by
the Flathead Beacon was picked up by the Associated Press and received wide coverage.
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Coordinated Running Start marketing and PR campaign (including radio and print
advertising, direct mail, and press coverage) to promote informational session and
program benefits for spring.
Produced radio and print ad for LCC promoting the benefits of applying early to receive
financial aid for spring semester.
Created marketing materials for LCC visits to local high school.
Coordinated media coverage of new FVCC veteran center including a feature story in the
next issue of Kalispell Quarterly.
Designed Foundation fall fund drive mailer
Designed promotional materials for the Art Dept. Student/Faculty Holiday Art Sale
Produced promotional materials for the Running Start Informational Sessions.
Began work on the layout/design of the Continuing Education/Art Spring Schedule
Designed promotional materials for the Nursing Career Fair
Grants
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Received and reviewed Foundation Enhancement Grants; met with Enhancement Grant
Committee and prepared committee’s recommendations for Foundation approval
Submitted revision to OCHE Financial Literacy grant
Held OCHE Big Sky Pathways grant kickoff meeting
Held OCHE Non-traditional grant kickoff meeting
Helped launch of TAACCCT III l on November 15 in Great Falls, including creation of
project 101 power-point, preparation of FVCC team, presentation materials and
organization of facilitators.
Monthly Report to FVCC Board of Trustees
Human Resources
November 25, 2013
ACTIVITIES:
 Searches completed and subject to Board approval:
o Director, NW MT Small Business Development Center – John Balsam
o Administrative Assistant, Student Health Center – Carrie Kintzler
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Searches in progress:
o Clinical Resource Registered Nurse
o Pre-School Assistant, Early Childhood Center
o Customer Service Specialist, Financial Aid
o Clinical Coordinator, Surgical Technology
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College and University Professional Association for Human Resources conference was held
October 27-30 in Las Vegas Nevada. Deb, Kathy and Karen participated with higher
education and industry professionals in workshops on topics such as legal updates,
Affordable Care Act, adjunct faculty, ethics, faculty tenure, salary surveys, and more.
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Montana University System Inter-Unit Benefits Committee met on November 12 and 13 for
discussion and action on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The initial
measurement period for the MUS employee benefits begins on January 1, 2014. Karen was
requested to serve on the ACA Operational Committee. Next meeting is scheduled for
December 2-3.
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Negotiations with the FVCCEA faculty union have been completed and a tentative
agreement has been reached.
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Nominations are currently open for Emerita/Emeritus recognition and the deadline for
submission is December 6, 2013.
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Celeste Pace is chairing the Holiday Party committee. Preparations are underway for the
December 6 event.
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Karen volunteered for the annual Resume Café sponsored by the local SHRM chapter and
delivered Harassment Awareness training for Flathead County.
Monthly Report to the FVCC Board of Trustees
Institutional Research
November 18th, 2013
Accomplishments:
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Compiled data on Math enrollments, grades, and COMPASS placement test scores for
Dan Paine, FVCC statistics professor. He will be using the data to assist the math
department in better understanding student progression through their math courses.
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Submitted data to the Pueblo Colorado School that is leading the CHEO grant
consortium. The CHEO grant is one of the three TAACCCT grants we are a part of. Our
initial participant counts look very good.
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Signed FVCC up to administer the Community College Survey of Student Engagement
(CCSSE) to our students beginning in Spring 2014. The CCSSE measures students’
participation in activities that are known to affect retention.
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Attended the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce Board Retreat and answered their
questions regarding the performance of the local economy.
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Together with Mary Jordt, attended the National Symposium on Student Retention. We
were able to come home with many good ideas for improving FVCC’s retention rate.
Ongoing Initiatives:
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Working to clean up and enhance the data we received from AD ASTRA as part of their
consulting work with FVCC. They are helping us identify opportunities to make our
course scheduling more efficient and student friendly.
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Working with the FVCC math department to begin post-testing our math 095 students
with the COMPASS test. The data will help us better assess the COMPASS test’s ability
to correctly place students.
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Coordinating FVCC’s self-study and visit preparations from OCHE’s Office of Civil
Rights review team. The team will be assessing our compliance with various federal nondiscrimination laws.
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Continuing to chair the Continual Improvement Group (CIG), the college’s institutional
effectiveness committee. This fall we will be reviewing progress on our accreditation
metrics and reviewing Human Resources and Advancement, Marketing, and Grants.
Monthly Report to FVCC Board of Trustees
Business Services
November 25, 2013
Accomplishments:
 Completed bid process for new road grader for Equipment Ops Program.
 FY 13 draft financial statements have been prepared and transmitted to auditor. Auditor is
scheduled to begin field work in January.
New Initiatives:
 Assist with construction of greenhouse and instructional building for new farm program.
 Upgrade new Veterans Center to better accommodate participants.
 Design a camera system for Arts & Technology Building.
 Upgrade Chemistry Instrument Room in Ross Hall.
Summer renovation planning has begun- departments have been asked to submit renovation
needs – items will be reviewed and prioritized.