FLC taps nationally recognized student success leader Pamela Agoyo as VP for Student Affairs

DURANGO--Fort Lewis College has selected Pamela Agoyo, a nationally recognized student affairs leader with more than three decades of experience in student success and higher education achievement, as its next Vice President for Student Affairs. Set to start July1, 2026, Agoyo rose to the top of a pool of more than 50 highly qualified candidates.

 Agoyo, who is Cochiti Pueblo, Kewa Pueblo, and Ohkay Owingeh, is known for her leadership in student affairs and her commitment to building pathways that advance student success, strengthen campus belonging, and support equitable, student-centered practices. 

Her national influence includes serving as a board member for the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) representing the leading association for student affairs professionals; as a member of the Board of Trustees for the College Board; a national co-chair for the College Board Native American Student Advocacy Institute (NASAI); and as a member of the Board of Directors for the National Indian Education Association (NIEA), where she served as president from 2013 to 2014. Agoyo also serves as a member of the Cobell Board of Trustees which administers the Cobell Scholarship Fund providing academic opportunities for higher education to qualifying Native American and Alaska Native students.

 FLC President Heather Shotton said Agoyo’s breadth of experience and clarity of purpose made her stand out in a strong national pool.  

“Pamela has a proven ability to turn strategy into meaningful outcomes for students. She is a proven leader, and her experience will be invaluable as we advance the work of creating an environment where every student feels supported and able to succeed.”

Finding her calling  

Agoyo said her path into student affairs began completely by accident. The oldest of six children, she had to work to cover her college costs and on her first day on campus, Agoyo said, she applied for student employment. She was hired in the university’s student union recreation center. “I immediately started climbing the ladder,” she said, eventually discovering the broader field of student affairs through the mentorship of campus leaders.

The experience shaped her belief in the importance of student employment and student voice. “The students I have hired have been brilliant,” she said. “I couldn’t have been as effective without them.” 

Agoyo said Fort Lewis College’s history, its student demographics, and its campus wide commitment to advancing strategic goals drew her to the college. 

 “The history of the institution, the fact that a large percentage of the students are Indigenous—that was a real attraction,” said Agoyo, who emphasized her excitement to help advance FLCs strategic plan. “It’s clear that people care and are invested in the strategic plan. They want to elevate the work they’re doing and roll out the next steps.”

She noted that FLCs commitment to becoming a student-ready institution strongly resonates with her professional philosophy, particularly centering around student voice, reducing institutional barriers, and building systems where students feel seen and supported.  

Leading the way  

Agoyo serves as Executive Director for Student Support in the Division of Student Affairs and Special Assistant to the President for American Indian Affairs at University of New Mexico, where she oversees a wide range of student support and enrichment programs.

Her work centers on strategic alignment, organizational planning, and the development of research-informed, student-centered practices that improve student experience.  

Throughout her career at UNM, she has played key roles in advancing student retention, coordinating advising strategy, strengthening Tribal relations, and shaping institution wide approaches to student support. 

She brings extensive leadership experience in crisis response, student well-being and support services, and cross-campus collaboration, all areas central to the VPSA role. Her background includes overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets across multiple divisions, managing endowments, and student-success funding structures.  

Agoyo is known for her team-centered leadership style, prioritizing collaboration, professional development, and organizational culture. Building strong, effective teams has been a hallmark of her career.  

Agoyo holds bachelor's degrees in psychology and sociology, a master's degree in organizational learning and instructional technology, and an Executive MBA, all from the University of New Mexico.  

In her first 90 days at FLC, Agoyo plans to focus on listening deeply to students, faculty, staff, and campus partners to understand priorities, successes, and opportunities. She emphasized the importance of aligning resources to support student well-being, retention, and a strong sense of belonging.  

 Agoyo also shared the significance of joining FLC under the leadership of President Shotton. “To be part of history, and a historical moment for this institution, is very motivational for me,” she said. “Representation is important. Given the institution's history, elevating Indigenous thought and practice matters,” Agoyo said, adding she looks forward to working with President Shotton. “She’s an intentional and purpose-driven visionary with a deep, unwavering commitment to the success of every student. I’m excited to support her goals for the institution.”  

“I am honored to join Fort Lewis College and look forward to working alongside students, staff, faculty, and President Shotton to strengthen student centered practices across campus,” Agoyo said.