Great Falls College CEO/Dean Stephanie Erdmann announces plan to retire later this year

Dr. Stephanie Erdmann, CEO and dean of Great Falls College Montana State University, announced her plan to retire in July after five years leading the institution through a time that saw sharp enrollment increases and expanded workforce training initiatives.

Erdmann strengthened the college’s role as a leader in student support, workforce development and community engagement while guiding the college through a time of tremendous growth.

“This has been a tough decision as I have loved my time at Great Falls College, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for it,” she said. “But I have decided that this will be the right time for me to begin the next chapter of my life and focus on new personal goals and opportunities.”

Erdmann said leading Great Falls College has been the culmination of a career in two-year education and workforce training. She started on July 1, 2021, after a long career in higher education in Montana and Wisconsin, where she worked at both state and tribal institutions.

“I am deeply grateful for the support, collaboration and meaningful work I have experienced during my time here,” Erdmann said. “Being part of Great Falls College, the MSU family and the Montana University System have been both important and deeply rewarding in my career in higher education. I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to our students, programs, community and the state of Montana, and I am proud of the work we have accomplished together.”

Under Erdmann’s direction, Great Falls College’s enrollment has grown about 25% with the addition of programs such as Substance Abuse and Addictions Counseling, Office Management and Supervision, Office Support, and Veterinary Technician.

“Dr. Erdmann has been an innovative and caring leader for her campus,” said Brock Tessman, president of Montana State University in Bozeman and leader of the MSU system, which includes Great Falls College, MSU Billings and MSU Northern. “Her time in Great Falls has brought steady growth to the college, increased support for students and tremendous benefits for the state of Montana.”

In just four years, from fall 2021 to fall 2025, Great Falls College’s enrollment grew from 1,180 to 1,490. Over the same period, the number of full-time equivalent students grew from 709 to 884. Full-time equivalency is calculated by dividing the total credits taken by all Great Falls College students by 15, which marks a full-time number of credits.

“I’m really proud of the work everyone at Great Falls College has done to make this institution student-focused,” Erdmann said. “Our students are our best ambassadors, and they speak firsthand about the quality of the education they receive here and its transformative power. That dedication is reflected in our growth as our students and graduates share the story about the value of their education.”

In Erdmann’s five years, Great Falls College also greatly expanded its offerings through the rebranded Continuing Education and Training department. The college introduced or expanded high-demand training programs, including the Commercial Driver’s License program, the Future Build construction training initiative, flooring installation and structural welding. The college also strengthened its health care offerings, such as Certified Nursing Assistant.

“Expanding these programs was about meeting real workforce needs in our region,” Erdmann said. “These pathways give students practical options to build skills and step directly into high-demand careers.”

Other highlights from her time at Great Falls College include:

• The campus was named a finalist of the Lumina Foundation’s Million Dollar Community College Challenge and received $250,000 to spearhead the college’s marketing and branding efforts. This led to the college becoming the River Otters and developing the mascot, Mo, with campaigns that engaged the entire northcentral Montana community. Mo has been instrumental in cultivating renewed school spirit and helping the college build a stronger brand.
• Great Falls College was named the Mountain West Hub of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, helping small business owners in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho grow through a free, 12-week program that results in the scholars writing five-year growth plans.
• Recently, the college was awarded a $1.4 million grant from Berkshire Hathaway Energy Foundation to support the nation’s first-ever Grid Operator Training Program on a college campus. The program will start in fall 2026.
• Great Falls College improved its student support services by placing Accessibility Services and the professional tutoring center in the Weaver Library, while also transforming that space into a gathering spot to build campus camaraderie. The Native and Indigenous Culture Center and the Military Family Center also built new homes closer to the heart of campus with the input of students who use those spaces. The Office of Student CARE was also formed, with its student food pantry centrally located to help students with food insecurity as well as to help students find services in the community to meet their needs.

These accomplishments came about as the college adhered strictly to its strategic plan, Forging Futures, which provides the structure to align the college’s initiatives and produce measurable outcomes. Forming a strong strategic plan was Erdmann’s top priority from the day she started in Great Falls.

“Forging Futures gave us a clear framework during a time of transition,” Erdmann said. “It helped align our priorities around inclusivity, opportunity and excellence while guiding thoughtful, data-informed decision-making across the college.”

A national search for Erdmann’s successor will start in the coming weeks. More details will be announced later.

“The leader of Great Falls College MSU plays a significant role in helping a growing number of students realize their dreams of earning a degree and in supporting the economy of the Great Falls region and the whole state,” Tessman said. “We will do everything we can to ensure that the right person takes over to guide the college into the future.”

Contact: Scott Thompson, Great Falls College executive director of community relations, 406-771-4314, [email protected]