UMW & Helena College Appoint Tricia Fiscus As Vice Chancellor & Assistant Dean

(Press Release From UMW)

The University of Montana Western and Helena College are pleased to announce the hiring of Tricia Fiscus as the Vice Chancellor of Administration and Finance for UMW and the Assistant Dean of Administrative Affairs for Helena College.

Fiscus has more than 25 years of leadership and strategic planning experience, with a focus on fiscal management.

“We are excited to welcome Tricia to the University of Montana Western as she begins her new role here and at Helena College,” said UMW Chancellor Michael Reid. “Her extensive experience in higher education and budget management will be a great asset to both institutions.”

“The partnership between Helena College and the University of Montana Western has been so valuable to both of our campuses,” said Helena College Dean/CEO Dr. Sandra Bauman. “We are thrilled to be welcoming Tricia to our campus community and appreciate the wealth of knowledge she brings from her experience working in both two- and four- year education.”

Originally from St. Maries, Idaho, Fiscus earned an Associate of Arts in Business Management, graduating with honors, at Lewis-Clark State College. She later completed a bachelor’s degree in Business Management at Lewis-Clark State College in 2011 and completed the educational requirements for a CPA certification the same year. She went on to complete a Master’s of Adult Organizational Learning and Leadership degree at the University of Idaho in December 2014, and is expecting to complete a Ph.D. in Education in May 2021.

Before beginning this new role at Montana Western and Helena College, Fiscus worked at Washington State University for 21 years, then at Klamath Community College (KCC) where she went on to become the Vice President of Administrative Services and CFO for KCC for two and a half years.

“Throughout my academic and professional career, I have gained experience in a wide variety of areas of expertise, which I believe provides me with a unique set of knowledge, skills, and abilities ideally suited for working at both Montana Western and Helena College,” Fiscus said. “As I was growing up, my family and I would often visit Montana and the beautiful surroundings of this state makes this a dream come true for me. After meeting the faculty and staff at both UMW and Helena College, I felt truly welcome. In this new position, I hope to contribute to each institution by supporting the visions and missions of both campuses, while engaging with and giving back to the Dillon and Helena communities.”

Fiscus enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and friends, including her three daughters, husband, cows, horses, and dogs.

Fiscus will begin her new position at Montana Western and Helena College on October 25, 2021.