‘Long overdue': Fort Lewis College appoints first Indigenous president

Yahoo

22-04-2025

Kalle BenallieICTAs one student put it, an auntie is going to guide Fort Lewis College 'toward the world we want to see' after the college appointed its first Indigenous president. Heather Shotton, the incoming president, is tremendously honored. She was unanimously appointed on April 11 by the college's board of trustees. 'It's a truly powerful moment for me personally and for my family and my community and for the Fort Lewis College campus, for our students, and everyone who's connected to the college. We all recognize that this is a historic moment and truly is powerful to be a part of this,' Shotton said, who is Wichita and Affiliated Tribes and a Kiowa and Cheyenne descendant.Shotton was previously the vice president of diversity affairs at Fort Lewis in Durango, Colorado, for three years and was the acting dean of student engagement in 2024. She said it provided her a unique perspective about the student body. 'So much of the role has been student facing and focused on creating community and sense of belonging for our students here at Fort Lewis College so that they can be successful and that we can make sure that they graduate and have a good experience here,' she said. One of those students includes Brittany Bitsilly, Diné, who served on the president search committee as the student representative. 'Representation matters, and I can't think of a better example than this moment at FLC. Like many of my peers, I see myself in Dr. Shotton's incredible journey,' Bitsilly told ICT, who also was the first Indigenous woman to be president of the Associated Students of Fort Lewis College. Out of the entire student body population, Fort Lewis is home to 40 percent Native American and Alaska Native students. With the college's history as a former federal Indian boarding school and now serves a large Native American and Alaska Native student population, 'Indigenous leadership at Fort Lewis has been long overdue,' Bitsilly said. 'It feels especially fitting that a first-generation Indigenous matriarch — who is a powerhouse in academia and committed to community-building — now holds this position,' Bitsilly said. 'Her love for this institution is palpable, and we are so thankful to have an auntie guide us toward the world we want to see.'Multiple faculty and staff members are excited about the news.Carolina Alonso, an associate professor of borders and languages said Shotton's appointment was met with applause. "When I shared the news with my class, the students cheered. Shotton is visible, respected, and deeply involved. Representation matters, and her presidency sends a powerful message,' Alonso said in a press release.
The director of the academic hub, Michelle Bonanno emphasized Shotton's inclusive efforts.'As one of the preeminent scholars on Native student success, she's the right leader for our academic mission and our future. She's built initiatives that support first-generation students, LGBTQ+ students, and students from rural backgrounds. Her approach is always grounded in relationships and centered on student success,' Bonanno said. Shotton's connection to Fort Lewis is also through her daughter, who graduated last May, and her work with Native education and advocacy work. Shotton previously held leadership roles at small liberal arts colleges and large public research universities. She was the previous chair of the department of educational leadership and policy studies at the University of Oklahoma and board president of the National Indian Education Association. Shotton earned three degrees from the University of Oklahoma: a bachelor's in Native American studies, a master's in human relations, and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies.Fort Lewis College's connection to Native studentsFort Lewis's early history includes being a military fort for eleven years and was then turned into a federal Indian boarding school from 1892 to 1909. It was originally built in Hesperus, Colorado, 16 miles southwest of Durango. Now the area is used for the college's farmer training programs. Shotton said Fort Lewis is committed to reconciliation with that part of the college's history through co-curricular engagement and healing and wellness for students. It's one of their five strategic directions — reconciliation, academics, student-ready, basic needs, and community connections — that's laid out in their 2025-2030 strategic plan from the conversations they had on campus and input from tribal partners. 'I'm really excited for us to begin that as we move forward,' Shotton said. Fort Lewis is also confident in their compliance with current federal and state legislation. The college provides a tuition waiver for Indigenous students. 'We feel confident in the foundation that that stands on. That is related to the founding of this institution and an agreement between the federal government and the state of Colorado and the original transfer of land that created Fort Lewis College,' Shotton said. She added that they are remaining focused on serving the diverse student population. 'As a Native American serving non-tribal institution, we recognize that we serve a unique student population and beyond that, beyond being a Native-serving institution, 42 percent of our students are first-generation college students, 16 percent of our students are Latinx students, and 40 percent of our students are Native American students,' she said. Shotton said she hopes people who are like her — first generation, Indigenous or who come from a rural community — will see themselves reflected in leadership. 'Hopefully to imagine new possibilities for themselves and that this is truly a full circle moment for Fort Lewis College, given our history and our beginnings,' she said. 'I'm just really proud and honored to get to lead alongside such amazing people here at Fort Lewis College, in a community that is so invested and dedicated to its students.'Shotton will officially assume the presidency on July 1.
ICT's Jourdan Bennett-Begaye contributed to this report. Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute $5 or $10 today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICT's free newsletter.