Veronica R. Lane (Accounting, '05) has helped lead economic development efforts across tribal nations as assistant vice president and business development officer for Native American Bank, the only Native-owned bank in the country.

In a digital story from The University of Arizona, Fort Lewis College Sociology & Human Services major Victoria Cannon explains how she chose her path to pursue social services work, how she wants to use her knowledge to help her family and community, and what it means to be an indigenous person with a disability seeking higher education.

Simon J. Ortiz (Chemistry, ATT '61-'62) has been recognized by Academic Influence as a notable figure in the arts. Ortiz, known for his contributions to the second wave of the Native American Renaissance, is an Indigenous writer with several published works.

Bill Hesford (Teacher Licensure, ATT '03-'13) and Amber Connet (Interdisciplinary Studies-Elementary Education, '06; M.A. Education-Teacher Leadership, '19) have been appointed as principals in the Bayfield School District. Both Hesford and Connet serve as models for current students in FLC's Teacher Education Department.

The La Plata County Incident Management Team hosted students from Assistant Professor Deanne Grant's Resiliency & Society course at a fire drill in the Edgemont Highlands subdivision. The drill was formatted as if it were an actual wildfire, teaching students about the wildland-urban interface as well as mitigation practices and incident command systems.

The Colorado FFA Foundation inducted Beth LaShell, coordinator of the Old Fort for Fort Lewis College, into the Farm Credit Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame. LaShell was honored for her significant contributions to the Colorado agricultural industry, including her role in managing Old Fort cattle and hay production and training beginning farmers in vegetable and fruit production and financial...

The Princeton Review included Fort Lewis College on its Guide to Green Colleges for 2022, a list based on each school's use of renewable energy, recycling, and conservation programs, the availability of environmental studies in academic offerings, and career guidance for green jobs.

In a guest column for The Durango Herald, President Tom Stritikus makes the case for doubling the federal Pell Grant. Citing expanded access to higher education and retention as primary reasons for increasing the Pell Grant allocation, Stritikus makes it clear that FLC’s goal is to see students seamlessly go from their first class to their cap and gown.

College students from across Colorado and at Fort Lewis College are becoming increasingly conscious of looming environmental crises. By pressuring their elected officials, composting their dining hall waste, or participating in e-bike lending programs, students are doing what they can to fight climate change.

Fort Lewis College alumnus Peter Yu (Business, ‘95) is making an ambitious bid for the U.S. Senate in the 2022 midterm elections. Yu is one of eight Republican candidates running in a primary for the Colorado seat held by U.S. Senator Micheal Bennett (D-CO).

On the eastern edge of the Fort Lewis College campus, officials from Animas High School and FLC celebrated at the site of the new location for AHS. Dean Jennifer Trujillo voiced her excitement at the new opportunities for partnership.

Stephan Davoust (Engineering, ‘17) won first place at the USA Cycling Marathon Mountain Bike National Championships and turned heads with a ghost-ride over the finish line. Fellow alumnus Payson McElveen (Exercise Science, ’16) joined him on the podium.

Fort Lewis College recently launched a new River Studies & Leadership certification program that combines river studies, river management, and policy. The program, geared towards future river management officials, is being spearheaded by Gigi Richard, Director of the Four Corners Water Center & Instructor of Geosciences.

Joslynn Lee, an assistant professor of Chemistry at Fort Lewis College, is working with Northern Arizona University to build a program for Indigenous K-12 students interested in STEM fields. With workshops spanning 18 months, the program seeks to inspire Indigenous students who are interested in scientific computing.

This year, Fort Lewis College welcomed the largest cohort of first-year students since 2004. FLC is working to support and ultimately retain this promising wave of new students.