Dr. Heather Shotton
The announcement comes at a pivotal moment for the Durango, Colorado, college, which continues to grapple with its history as a former federal Indian boarding school while working to advance its commitment to student success, equity, and community engagement.
"All of her personal and professional experiences created a presidential presence that stood out from an exceptional field of over 75 applicants," said Janet Lopez, chair of the FLC Board of Trustees. "Her lived experiences align with those of many FLC students, and her leadership, vision, and dedication to reconciliation and student success make her an outstanding choice to guide the college into its next chapter."
Shotton currently serves as FLC's inaugural Vice President for Diversity Affairs and Acting Dean of Students. She brings more than two decades of experience in higher education, having worked at both small liberal arts colleges and large research universities. Her career has been dedicated to fostering access and achievement for underrepresented students, particularly Indigenous and first-generation learners. In 2020, Diverse named Shotton to its annual list of women making a difference in higher education.
"I am honored that the Board of Trustees has named me as the finalist for President of Fort Lewis College, and I look forward to engaging with the campus and our community partners," Shotton said in a statement. "Over the past three years at Fort Lewis College, I have developed a deep love for this institution and have been inspired by the amazing work of our faculty, staff, and students."
The selection of an Indigenous leader for FLC is particularly significant given the institution's complicated history. Like many colleges across the nation, Fort Lewis College has been engaged in efforts to acknowledge and address its past as an Indian boarding school—institutions that were historically used to separate Native American children from their families and cultures in an attempt to assimilate them.
Today, FLC serves as a Native American Serving, Non-Tribal Institution, with a substantial population of Indigenous students. The college offers tuition waivers to qualified Native American students, a policy that dates back to a 1911 federal land grant agreement.
