Company Profile
Flathead Valley Community College
Company Overview
Flathead Valley Community College promotes excellence in lifelong learning, focused on student success and community needs. FVCC is known for being an outstanding public community college and we are fortunate to be located on a beautiful campus in Kalispell, Montana with panoramic views of the northern Rocky Mountains and Glacier National Park. FVCC proudly promotes excellence in lifelong learning, focused on student success and community needs.
Company History
Local, affordable higher education in the Flathead Valley started as a dream of Owen Sowerwine, chairman of the local school board. In 1960, Sowerwine voiced concerns regarding the lack of post-secondary education opportunities for young people in the valley.
A study conducted in 1959 showed that only 20% of Flathead High School graduates were pursuing higher education. Owen and four other visionary community members – Bill McClaren, Thelma Hetland, Les Sterling and Norm Beyer – were determined to create a local higher education option for Flathead Valley students.
Owen traveled around the country to observe different models of higher education. By 1963, after studying several junior colleges, vocational colleges, four-year universities and community colleges, he concluded that a community college was the best fit for the Flathead Valley.
It was time for action. From 1964 to 1967, college advocates worked diligently to inform citizens about the purpose of a community college and what it could offer in the way of vocational education, college transfer preparation and more.
On April 1, 1967, thanks to the generous support of the citizens, a ballot election passed by more than 1,000 votes and Flathead Valley Community College was established.
Benefits
Generous Benefits include: (Note, the average value of FVCC's benefits is $25,000 in addition to salary!)
Health/Vision, Dental, Life/ADD & Long-term Disability Insurance: Generous Employer contribution toward the cost of these benefit premiums
Retirement: Participates in MT Public Employees Retirement System; MT Teacher's Retirement System, AND Employer match up to 7% for 403(b)
Tuition Waiver: Employee plus up to two legal dependents
Public loan forgiveness