FVCC Foundation Announces New Executive Director

The Flathead Valley Community College Foundation welcomed Shannon Schumacher as its new executive director in early November.

Schumacher arrived in the Flathead Valley from Bozeman, where she most recently served as the associate vice president for development at Montana State University.  She brings more than 22 years of nonprofit philanthropy experience to the FVCC Foundation, including 17 years working in Seattle for the Seattle Art Museum, the Pacific Science Center and other organizations.

Raised in Columbia Falls, Schumacher understands firsthand how important FVCC is to the community and local students. “When I walked onto campus this November, I was again reminded of the amazing impact FVCC is making on our students and our region, providing access to higher education and promoting excellence in lifelong learning. This along with the generosity and dedication of our community is what pulled me back to my home – the Flathead Valley,” she said.

Schumacher takes the helm of the FVCC Foundation as it enters the home stretch of the ONE Encore Campaign to raise an additional $3 million for a 1,000-seat Performance and Lecture Hall in the new Paul D. Wachholz College Center. The center is slated to open in early 2022.

“I extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who has helped us in these efforts,” she said. “Our future is brighter than ever and our campus continues to evolve and grow at a rapid pace.”

Looking ahead to post-pandemic days when it will be safe to gather in groups again, Schumacher said the foundation will resume bringing the community together through the annual Festival of Flavors and other events that highlight the skills of FVCC’s culinary arts and music students.

She also plans to invigorate FVCC’s Alumni & Friends program. While at MSU, Schumacher traveled frequently to Seattle to serve as the alumni liaison for the College of Letters and Science and the College of Engineering. “I’m excited to use my experience to engage FVCC alumni at a deeper level,” she said.

Founded in 1976, the FVCC Foundation was established to support scholarships, programs and learning facilities at Flathead Valley Community College.

For more information about the FVCC Foundation, ONE Encore Campaign or alumni activities, contact Schumacher at (406) 756-3914 or sschumacher@fvcc.edu.