Continuing education: Variety is the spice of life

Whether it’s a farm-to-table pizza party or instruction about how to play the ukulele, the classes offered through Flathead Valley Community College’s Continuing Education Center are ever evolving with a mission of offering a variety of topics that interest area residents.

“We try to offer classes with the idea of something for everyone,” said Susie Burch, who joined FVCC as director of economic development and continuing education in 2005.

Sometimes the continuing education staff has an idea and recruits an instructor, but more often people wanting to share their expertise simply step forward, Burch said.

“When we have an idea, we go out and find an instructor and recruit. That’s how we did the walking tours of Demersville Cemetery,” she added.

Offering the right mix of classes is an ongoing challenge that depends on the local economy and the whim of residents’ interests.

“Roz Kristofferson’s dance classes are consistently popular,” Burch said. “Languages are hot right now. People like the hands-on classes, too,” such as cheese-making.

As the Flathead’s workforce has expanded, the college has been in step with what businesses need. The workforce training curriculum is run through the Continuing Education Center. Classes such as Jump Start for Supervisors, a training series designed for new supervisors or supervisors looking for formal training, has been a popular course as the size of small businesses gradually has increased here.

Burch called the Jump Start program “the little black dress of professional development” and noted “it’s been a perennial favorite.”

Burch’s job includes developing and expanding partnerships with business, service and government organizations. She also works with local schools and community groups.

What started as a small offering of non-credit courses in 1979 has become a multifaceted arm of FVCC that includes adult non-credit classes, classes for seniors, computer classes, business workshops and online instruction.

The current 32-page Continuing Education catalog illustrates the wide range of topics offered as non-credit courses. Beyond the workforce training curriculum, the sky’s the limit. In fact, there is even a class called “Weather Smarts — Observing the Skies.”

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.