Tester Meets with Flathead Valley Community College President

Tester, Karas Discuss New Programs, Student Success Initiatives

(U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester recently met with Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC) President Jane Karas to discuss new programs aimed at preparing students to enter the workforce and best practices for helping students succeed in today’s economy.

Tester and Karas discussed the school’s innovative brewing science and paramedicine training programs, as well as ways FVCC is working to help students with financial aid and increase services for veterans. Kelly Stimpson, a member of FVCC’s Board of Trustees, also attended the meeting.

“Flathead Valley Community College is giving top-notch education and job training to students that’ll help them succeed in a 21st century economy,” Tester said. “It’s also on the frontlines of helping support students who are working parents or veterans by offering expanded flexibility and services, as well as need-based financial assistance so that any Montanan who wants to can attend.”

Tester also received an update on FVCC’s eight-week pilot program aimed at accommodating working students with families, and Karas detailed the college’s efforts to cultivate partnerships with Montana’s four-year institutions to help students succeed after transferring from FVCC.

Located in Kalispell, FVCC offers over 100 academic programs and is home to over 2,000 students.

As a former teacher, Tester has long supported community colleges across Montana. In 2016, Tester helped deliver a $400,000 grant for FVCC’s biotechnology program, and last May he voted to pass critical legislation to restore year-round Pell Grants.