Native Skyway to Success
Native Skyway to Success is a year-long program for first-year or transfer students that offers a welcoming community, guidance in social and academic transition to college, and supportive mentorship from current Native American Center (NAC) student leaders.
You will arrive a week early to campus through the PEAK Experience. You will join the NAC in a weeklong schedule full of activities and programming where you build community with other NS2S students, receive supportive mentorship from NAC student leaders, learn how to be a successful student with campus resources and explore the four corners region through engaging field trips. Throughout the school year, you will continue to engage with Native Skyway to Success by meeting with your mentors and attending events to support building community and academic success at Fort Lewis College.
Who is encouraged to join the Native Skyway to Success Program:
When: August 17 - 22, 2025Where: CampusNumber of students: 40Student cost: $50; financial assistance is available upon request.
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"NS2S gave me an amazing experience as well as a group of friends that will stick with me through my entire college life, I am so thankful to you guys for this amazing program."
In the morning, you will move in and settle into your assigned rooms. In the afternoon, you will be introduced to the Native American Center, meet your peer mentors, and participate in a team-building exercise of setting up a Tipi. In the evening, you will meet the rest of the participants and Peer Mentors again to get to know each other better with fun activities.
You will be introduced to Dr. Heather Shotton to learn more about the Diversity Collaborative at Fort Lewis College. In addition, the morning will be focused on workshops designed to assist you in building healthy habits as you transition into college. In the afternoon, you will participate in a cultural activity and cultural identity workshop.
In the mornings, you will meet with various campus resources on campus such as the Center for Southwest Studies, WellPac, Counseling Center, Title IX, Student Life Center, Student Involvement Center, GRUB HUB, STEM programs, and Financial Aid to support you at Fort Lewis College. In the afternoons, you will participate in a relationship-building activities and rafting down the Animas River.
You will go on a day trip to Ignacio to the Southern Ute Musuem, the Cultural Center, and the Medical Center. In addition, you can visit the Sky Ute Casino Resort to enjoy bowling with your peers and mentors.
The last day will focus on launching you into Fort Lewis College Orientation and beginning your college experience. You will meet with your mentors to do a team-building exercise, reflect on the past week, and discuss the college experience. In addition, you will receive a blessing from a Tribal Leader to send you off for future success.
Because all freshman students are required to live on campus, your participation in this program gives you early check in to your Fall housing. Bring all of the items that you need to move into your room.
All program participants are required to stay on campus during the program, even those who have obtained a waiver for the first-year on-campus housing requirement.
171 Student UnionPhone: 970-247-7090Fax: 970-247-7487Email: orientation@fortlewis.eduEach PEAK program has its own contacts listed on their websites.