Fort Lewis College President Heather Shotton has been selected for the second cohort of the Aspen-Kern Presidential Leadership Fellowship, a national initiative that supports college and university presidents as they navigate the changing landscape of higher education.
The yearlong fellowship is offered through the Aspen-Kern Program for Leadership and Character in Higher Education, a partnership between the Aspen Institute and the Kern Family Foundation. It brings together a select group of higher education leaders from across the country to learn from one another, reflect on the broader responsibilities of institutional leadership, and explore the role colleges and universities play in strengthening their communities.
The program focuses on the human dimensions of leadership and undergraduate education, including critical thinking, constructive dialogue across differences, character development , and preparation for engaged citizenship. Fellows participate in interactive workshops, executive coaching, and humanities-based seminars while working alongside peers who bring a range of institutional experiences and perspectives.
For Shotton, the fellowship offers an opportunity to share what Fort Lewis College is learning while bringing new ideas and practices back to campus.
“The strongest leadership happens in community,” Shotton said. “Higher education is navigating enormous change, that will require thoughtful leadership and conversations across institutions and leaders. I’m grateful for the opportunity to listen, share what we are learning at Fort Lewis College, and collaborate with leaders who are committed to serving their students and communities.”
Shotton’s selection reflects her commitment to student success, community building, and the role of higher education in creating opportunity. Her work at FLC has emphasized strengthening relationships, advancing reconciliation, and ensuring that the College’s decisions remain grounded in its responsibilities to students and the communities it serves.
Throughout the fellowship, Shotton will examine challenges and opportunities facing higher education while continuing to advance priorities specific to Fort Lewis College. The experience will create space to consider how institutions can foster belonging, navigate difficult conversations, and prepare students to lead in an increasingly complex world.
“Fort Lewis College has an important perspective to contribute to national conversations about the future of higher education,” Shotton said. “I look forward to representing our community, learning alongside other presidents, and bringing those conversations home to FLC.”