Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College is happy to have two new deans joining the college’s leadership team this summer: Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences, Jessica Huber, and Dean of Education, Sara Montgomery.
“We are excited and lucky to have two new deans with the experience Sara and Jessica have moving into these roles,” shared FDLTCC Vice President of Academic Affairs, Kelly McCalla, “In addition to having served in leadership roles in the past, they both bring extensive teaching experience with them into these positions which is critical at a student-centered institution like FDLTCC.”
Before the appointment, Dr. Jessica Huber was the Nursing Student Mentor and Program Coordinator at FDLTCC. A large part of the position was providing individualized student support, emphasizing a holistic approach to personal wellness, academic success and professional career development.
Dr. Huber received her Doctor of Nursing Practice from The College of St. Scholastic where her focus work included a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) quality improvement project, Integrating LGBTQIA2S+ Cultural Care Concepts within Nursing Curriculum.
Previously, Dr. Huber worked at The College of St. Scholastica as an assistant professor before serving as the college’s Director/Department Chair of the Undergraduate Nursing Department. Before working full-time in academia, Dr. Huber provided clinical education as a nursing professional development practitioner from 2018-2020, and staff nurse from 2013-2018, both at Essentia Health. Dr. Huber also worked as an adjunct nursing faculty in 2018 at FDLTCC.
“It’s great to be back at FDLTCC!” shared Dr. Jessica Huber, “I’m honored to be able to serve in a role that supports our program’s mission, aiming to educate future nurses to be culturally sensitive, focusing on the health needs of the American Indian population and our rural communities. My hope is to continue enriching our culturally diverse environment and ensure our students are well-prepared to meet the varied needs of our diverse population.”
Before being appointed Dean of Education at FDLTCC, Sara Montgomery was the college’s elementary education program coordinator and faculty. During that time, she was an instrumental team member in bringing the college’s new Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education degree to fruition.
“I am extremely excited to have Sara transition from her role as a FDLTCC faculty member into leading our education programs,” shared FDLTCC President, Anita Hanson, “Sara has vast experience as an educator and leader and brings a wealth of knowledge to our department, not to mention a passion for working with staff, faculty, and students at FDLTCC.”
Montgomery received her master’s in education from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Before becoming the coordinator of the education program at FDLTCC, Montgomery was the Director for the Native Teacher Program at The College of Saint Scholastica from 2011-2014. Previously, she was a K-12 Ojibwe language teacher for Duluth Public Schools from 2003-2006 and Principal of Little Black Bear Elementary with the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa from 1996-2002.
“The need for teachers in our region is so high and I’m excited to continue preparing excellent new teachers with our bachelor’s program in this new role”, shared Sara Montgomery, “We have recently expanded our number of online courses, enabling us to reach many more students. The students graduating from this program are rich with culturally responsive approaches for all students in the classrooms. Not only is it great to have college students in the schools with a background of the Anishinaabe perspective, but also being a role model for all students to become future leaders in their own communities.”
For more information on Jessica Huber or Sara Montgomery and their roles at FDLTCC, please contact Taylor Warnes at taylor.warnes*AT*fdltcc.edu.
Click here for more information on the Nursing program at FDLTCC
Click here for more information on the Elementary Education program at FDLTCC