Executive Team

This team is comprised of the college’s executive leaders. In support of the college president, each member is responsible for a major segment of the organization and leads key initiatives to achieve the college’s mission, vision, and strategic directions.

President

Dr. Christopher Matheny serves as the President of Fox Valley Technical College, an appointment that began in August 2021.

Dr. Matheny began his employment at Fox Valley Technical College in 2004 as Vice President of Student Services. He was promoted to Vice President for Student & Community Development in June 2008 and served as Vice President/Chief Academic Officer from 2010 until being appointed president. Before joining the College, Dr. Matheny served in various student services roles at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, IL. His career also includes working with students through IIT Federal Services Corporation and at DePaul University. 

Active in the community, Dr. Matheny has served on several boards and planning committees, is a member of the New North Board of Directors, Community Health Action Team (CHAT), Northeast Wisconsin Educational Resource Alliance (NEW ERA), and the United Way Fox Cities Financial Stability Impact Committee. He also serves as an ex-officio member of the Fox Valley Technical College Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors and is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges’ Structured Pathways Commission.

Dr. Matheny earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from DePaul University, a Master of Business Administration degree from Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Vice President - Access, Community Engagement, and Regional Operations

Rayon Brown serves as the Vice President for Access, Community Engagement & Regional Operations/Equal Opportunity Officer (EEO). In this role, he provides leadership and strategic direction for Access & Community Engagement, Regional Centers, the Oshkosh Riverside Campus, International Student Services, Tribal Outreach, and OCR/Equal Opportunity Compliance.

Brown joined Fox Valley Technical College in 2004. Before being named Chief Diversity Officer in July 2020, he held several positions across the institution, including Director of Diversity & Inclusion, Manager of Multicultural Student Services, Intercollegiate Athletics/Student Life Coordinator, and Student Life Recreation Assistant. In 2014, he also served as Director of the Brother-to-Brother program, an initiative focused on improving retention rates for students of color.

Active in the community, Brown serves as Vice Chair of the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region Board of Directors. He also serves on a number of boards and planning committees, including the NACCE Mentoring Council, Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity, Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass, Riverview Gardens, COTS, Ryan Community, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley.

Brown earned an Associate in Applied Science degree in Marketing from FVTC, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, and a Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership & Administration from Concordia University in Mequon.

Vice President - Student Success

Elizabeth Burns serves as the Vice President of Student Success. In this role, she oversees all Student Services and College Marketing functions.

Burns began her career at Fox Valley Technical College in 2007. During her tenure, she has held director positions in various Student Services departments and most recently held the position of Associate Vice President of Student Services.

In the community, Burns is a member of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee for the Fox Cities YMCA and enjoys serving her community as an active member of Appleton-Fox Cities Kiwanis and Greenville Lioness Lions Club.

Burns earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, a Master of Science degree from St. Cloud State University, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Vice President - Information Technology Services/CIO

Troy Kohl serves as Vice President for Information Technology. In this role, he oversees Fox Valley Technical College’s Information Technology (IT) functions. This encompasses all IT systems, planning, operations, business process management, architecture, software development, help desk, business intelligence, project management, and Printing Services.

Kohl joined Fox Valley Technical College as a PeopleSoft Support Manager in 2004. He was named Chief Information Officer in July 2008. Before joining the College, Kohl served multiple technology roles ranging from software development to technical project leadership at a large financial services organization.

Kohl earned a  Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.

Vice President - Learning/CAO

Dr. Jennifer Lanter serves as Vice President - Learning and Chief Academic Officer. In this role, she is responsible for the overall leadership of eight academic divisions within the College as well as Business and Industry Services and the Center for Instructional Excellence.

Dr. Lanter joined Fox Valley Technical College as the Dean of General Studies in August 2018. In this role, Dr. Lanter was responsible for leadership and instructional programming related to the General Studies Division, which includes general education offerings, adult basic skills and English Language Learning programs, assessment and testing, and the Teaching and Learning Center.

Before joining Fox Valley Technical College, Dr. Lanter served as the Dean of General Studies at Moraine Park Technical College in Fond du Lac, WI. Dr. Lanter’s career also includes eight years at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay where she was an assistant professor and then associate professor with tenure in the Human Development and Psychology Departments. She was the founding Director of the Language Learning Lab and also served as the Director of the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning.

Dr. Lanter earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, and a Ph.D. in Psychological and Brain Sciences from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN.
 

Vice President - College Strategy, Effectiveness, and Institutional Intelligence

Dr. Kim Olson serves as the Vice President of College Strategy, Effectiveness, and Institutional Intelligence. In this role, she oversees Strategic Planning, Institutional Effectiveness, and Accreditation; Institutional Research, Reporting, and Data Analytics; Organizational Intelligence and Reporting; and Compliance, Governance, and Grant Reporting.

Dr. Olson began her career at Fox Valley Technical College as a faculty member in 2003. In her time at FVTC, she has also served as a Department Chair, Associate Dean of Business, Dean of Service and Academic Programming, and Associate Vice President of College Effectiveness and Accreditation.

Dr. Olson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Master of Science degree in Management and Organizational Behavior from Silver Lake College, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Management from Capella University. She also holds affiliations with professional organizations such as Wisconsin Women in Higher Education Leadership and the Alliance for Innovation and Transformation.

Vice President - Administration/CFO

Amy Van Straten serves as Vice President for Administration. In this role, she oversees the College’s Facilities, Financial Services, Human Resources, and Security functions.

Van Straten started her accounting career at the public accounting firm Wipfli Ullrich Bertelson LLP in Wausau. She also spent six years in the Controller’s department at AAL (now Thrivent Financial) before coming to Fox Valley Technical College in 2003. She has served as the College’s CFO since 2008, was promoted to Vice President - Financial Services in 2014, Vice President - Finance and Facilities in 2019, and Vice President for Administration in 2023.

She is active in the community and has served on several community boards, currently for Pillars, Inc. and United Way Fox Cities. She is also a 2014 graduate of Leadership Fox Cities.

Van Straten earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.