News from MSU - Great Falls

Montana State University President Geoff Gamble on Thursday announced the two-year appointment of Joe Schaffer as dean/CEO of MSU-Great Falls College of Technology. Schaffer has served as the college's interim dean/CEO for the past year. His new appointment begins July 1.

"During Joe's interim appointment as dean of the college, he has demonstrated his strong leadership skills, and his ability to continue the relationships this campus has developed with the community," said Gamble.

MSU - Great Falls College of Technology offers a comprehensive range of certificate and associate degree programs in high-demand career fields and courses that prepare students for transfer to a four-year degree. It is one of four MSU campuses and has been one of the fastest growing institutions in Montana over the past decade, Schaffer said.

"The college plays a critical role in the ability of the university system to respond effectively to the changing workforce needs of the community, and we are extremely proud of the success of their programs," Gamble said.

Schaffer has been with the college for the past seven years serving as the director of outreach, assistant dean of outreach and workforce development, and associate dean/ chief academic officer prior to accepting the interim dean post last year. He came to Great Falls in 2002 from Missoula where he was a senior program director for the Greater Missoula Family YMCA. He earned his Master of Science in technical communication from Montana Tech and a bachelor's in wildland recreation resource management from The University of Montana. Schaffer is currently pursuing a doctorate of education in educational leadership from The University of Montana. He founded Schaffer Technologies, an Internet consulting and design company, in 1999.

"The opportunity to work with faculty, students, staff and higher education leaders across Montana is an honor and a privilege," Schaffer said. "I will continue to commit my efforts to the advancement of the college by focusing on the success of our students and their communities, while contributing to systems-level initiatives as a member of the Montana University System's leadership."

Over the past year, Schaffer has led the college through a strategic planning process and the establishment of new mission and vision statements, and has been instrumental in implementing an outcomes-based budget and planning process for the campus. Over the past year the campus secured a U.S. Department of Labor grant to establish a statewide wind energy workforce development program, enrolled record levels of students, and in 2009 graduated the largest class in the campus' history.

"I have the good fortune of working with incredibly talented and dedicated faculty and staff here at MSU-Great Falls," Schaffer said. "Their efforts and creativity have produced exceptional results, even under stressful economic conditions and with limited resources. Couple that energy with the staunch community support the college has and I have no doubt we will be able to continue our record of success over the next two years."

Schaffer has been actively involved in the community serving as vice-chairman on the City of Great Falls Planning Board, chairman of the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 4 Citizens Advisory Council, a board member of the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and the Great Falls Development Authority. He and his wife, Brooke, have a two-year-old daughter, Samantha.

Schaffer replaces Mary Sheehy Moe, who is now deputy commissioner for two-year education in the Montana Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education.