Following a national search, Fort Lewis College has appointed Lori Cook, an experienced fundraising leader with more than 13 years of record-setting advancement success, as its new vice president for advancement and the CEO of the Fort Lewis College Foundation.
Cook brings a track record of leading comprehensive fundraising initiatives, building high-performing teams and strengthening donor-centered cultures at public and private institutions nationwide. Most recently, she led the centralization of advancement efforts at the University of Texas at El Paso, aligning fundraising strategy, operations, and alumni engagement to drive growth and impact. She previously held advancement leadership roles at Utah State University, University of Louisiana Lafayette, and Tulane University.
In her new role, Cook will serve as the college’s chief development officer and a key advisor to the president, leading major gifts, planned and annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, alumni engagement, and advancement services. As CEO of the Fort Lewis College Foundation, Cook will work closely with the Foundation Board of Directors to steward and grow private support for the college.
“Fort Lewis College’s commitment to mission, excellence and community is what drew me here,” Cook said. “I find myself drawn to institutions where the mission truly matters and where the warmth of the campus community makes the college feel like home. This is a place where the work of advancement can make a meaningful difference for students and families across the region.”
A first-generation college graduate from a rural south Texas community, Cook said a personal commitment to access and opportunity shapes her leadership.
“I am a firm believer that a college can balance access and excellence to create social mobility for individuals to change their lives,” Cook said. “Fort Lewis College’s strategic plan reflects that belief, and I am excited to partner across campus to design a bold advancement strategy that supports those goals.”
Under the college’s new strategic plan, FLC has set ambitious priorities, including growing the college’s endowment.
FLC President Heather Shotton said Cook’s experience leading transformational fundraising efforts positions the college to meet those goals.
“Fort Lewis College has exceeded fundraising goals year after year, and we are poised for an even greater impact,” Shotton said. “Lori brings a proven record of campaign leadership, major gift success, and a deep understanding of how philanthropy fuels student success. Just as important, she leads with integrity, inclusion, and a genuine belief in our mission.”
Jason Portz, chair of the Fort Lewis College Foundation Board of Directors, said Cook’s ability to work effectively with governing boards and cultivate long-term donor relationships stood out during the search process.
“Our board is committed to strengthening the Foundation’s role in raising, investing and stewarding private support for the college,” he said. “Lori understands the partnership between the college and the Foundation and has the experience to help us grow our endowment and expand philanthropic impact in alignment with the strategic plan.”
Cook said throughout her career, she has emphasized donor-centric fundraising, cross-campus collaboration and inclusive philanthropic engagement — recognizing generosity in many forms and ensuring that alumni and friends from all backgrounds see themselves reflected in the life of the institution.
“My vision is to position Fort Lewis College as a national leader in inclusive generosity,” she said. “When we strengthen internal and external partnerships and create meaningful engagement opportunities, we build a culture of philanthropy that supports students for generations to come.”