Three Join Flathead Valley Community College’s Executive Team
Flathead Valley Community College has added three professionals to its executive team.
The three bring a wealth of leadership experience and commitment to continuing FVCC’s mission of promoting excellence in lifelong learning, focused on student success and community needs, the college notes.
FVCC Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Bryan Brophy-Baermann brings more than 30 years of higher education experience to his current role. Brophy-Baermann’s previous leadership roles aligning him with the FVCC student experience include Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs at Bay State College in Boston, Dean of Public Service and Social Sciences at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, Massachusetts and Division Director of Human Services and Social Sciences at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Additionally, combined with two decades as a political science professor at his alma mater University of Iowa, Brophy-Baermann attributes his full understanding of the faculty viewpoint on campus issues to his beginnings in higher education as a faculty member himself. This pivotal perspective ensures academic programs and student support initiatives work together to support student well-being and academic success, according to the college.
“All the great people I get to work with every day,” Brophy-Baermann says is the best part of working at FVCC. “The faculty and staff’s commitment to students is truly inspiring.”
Tricia Fiscus, FVCC Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, comes from an extensive background in higher education at several institutions including 21 years at Washington State University and most recently the University of Montana Western as Vice Chancellor of Administration and Finance.
Fiscus is dedicated to leading FVCC business operations and financial management efficiently and effectively to help students along their way of earning a degree with the least amount of debt possible. The work she does remains close to her heart as she experienced the transformative power of education first-hand.
“I am a first-generation college student, and right now finishing my PhD in Adult Organizational Learning and Leadership at the University of Idaho. Education changed my life and I’m thrilled to help others on their journey.”
FVCC Executive Director of College Relations, Marketing and Communications Michele Purcell joins as an industry veteran in content creation, digital marketing and video production. She brings a creative edge that helps amplify the exceptional work of FVCC’s faculty and staff.
Especially skilled in storytelling, Purcell is thrilled to be able to share the success stories and ample opportunities from around campus through video and digital media.
“It’s a true joy to be able to share all of FVCC’s offerings with the community. The state-of-the-art facilities and world-class opportunities that our students and the community have access to are nothing short of remarkable,” Purcell explains.
With a background in lifestyle brands like HGTV, Travel Channel and Food Network, Purcell first fell in love with the Flathead Valley community in 2019 while working on the HGTV Dream Home in Whitefish.
For more information about FVCC, visit fvcc.edu/about.