Welcome from Dr. Heather J. Shotton, President
Dr. Heather J. Shotton serves as the 11th President of Fort Lewis College, making history as the first Native American to lead the institution. She brings over two decades of experience in academic leadership, student success, and institutional transformation to her role.
Dr. Shotton is leading the implementation of Fort Lewis College's 2025-30 Strategic Plan, focused on five interwoven strategic directions that reflect the collective campus vision. As she describes it, "This is work that can only happen in this special place—because of our location, the land, and the people. The strategic plan embraces that."
Her leadership emphasizes building a future grounded in belonging, access, and academic excellence for every student the college serves, ensuring our approach aligns with FLC's mission of putting students at the center.
An enrolled citizen of the Wichita & Affiliated Tribes and a descendant of the Kiowa and Cheyenne Tribes, Dr. Shotton is a nationally recognized scholar and higher education leader. Before becoming president, she served for three years as Vice President of Diversity Affairs and Acting Dean of Student Engagement at FLC.
Dr. Shotton's scholarship focuses on Indigenous education and culturally responsive practices. As Board President of the National Indian Education Association, she led national advocacy efforts to strengthen educational outcomes for Indigenous communities. Her work has earned numerous accolades, including the Mildred García Senior Scholar Award and Educator of the Year from the NIEA.
At FLC, Dr. Shotton has been instrumental in advancing reconciliation work that acknowledges the institution's history as a federal Indian boarding school, positioning FLC as a national model for institutions seeking to reconcile with their past while advancing equity and student success.
A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Shotton is passionate about supporting FLC's first-generation students, who make up 42% of our student population. She earned three degrees from the University of Oklahoma and previously served as Chair of the Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies there.
Dr. Shotton's husband, John R. Shotton, serves as Chairman of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe. They have two daughters: Sloan, an FLC alumna (Public Health, '24), and Sophie, a student at the University of Oklahoma. Known for her relational leadership style, Dr. Shotton is a visible and engaged presence on campus, from Hozhoni Days Pow Wow to Skyhawks athletic events.
President Russell Begaye on Thursday signed an agreement with Fort Lewis College (FLC) to offer scholarships to Navajo students pursuing careers in health or exercise science.
During a ceremony on the college campus Thursday morning, President Begaye and FLC President Tom Stritikus signed an agreement that provides $2,500 per student, per term. The agreement also establishes a partnership between FLC and the Office of Navajo Nation Scholarship and Financial Assistance (ONNSFA), which will distribute and monitor the funds.
Because FLC already waives tuition for Native American students, the scholarship dollars will help cover living expenses, textbooks and other student fees.
“The cost of housing near college campuses is one of the biggest obstacles for Navajo students to seek a higher education,” President Begaye said. “This scholarship will help ease the financial burden so students can focus on their schoolwork and pursue careers in one of the fastest-growing industries.”
Read more of the Navajo Nation's press release.
Learn more about Health Sciences at Fort Lewis College.