Heather Shotton, sole finalist for Fort Lewis College president, has spent her career advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education – combining scholarship, leadership and advocacy to shape institutions that better serve students.
The FLC Board of Trustees named Shotton as the sole finalist for the college’s top position on Wednesday. A final decision is expected at the board’s April 11 meeting.
Shotton has been with FLC for three years, serving as vice president of diversity affairs and acting dean of students, while also taking on various other leadership roles.
The college declined to make Shotton available for an interview on Friday, and Shotton did not respond to multiple requests for an interview. The college also did not provide The Durango Herald with a schedule of events she will participate in over the next two weeks.
According to her resume, Shotton began her academic journey at the University of Oklahoma, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Native American studies, a master’s degree in human relations and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies.
A first-generation college graduate, Shotton is a descendant of the Kiowa and Cheyenne nations and a citizen of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, according to a cover letter included in her application for FLC president.
Her academic work focuses on Indigenous education and examines the challenges and successes of Native American students in higher education.
She has co-authored five books in her field, written numerous papers and articles, and delivered countless presentations on the subject of Indigenous student success and Native women in academia. She is also a vocal advocate for confronting the educational impacts of forced assimilation policies at Indian boarding schools across the U.S.
As vice president of diversity affairs, Shotton has led reconciliation efforts at FLC, which was founded as an Indian boarding school in 1892 – a contribution she emphasized in her presidential application.
“Reconciliation is key to FLC’s success as a college,” Shotton wrote in her application letter. If appointed, she said she plans to continue that work.
“We have an opportunity to shape a positive educational experience for Indigenous students so they can gain the knowledge and skills necessary to return to their tribal communities, strengthen them, and contribute to thriving futures,” Shotton told The Denver Post in an Oct. 3, 2023, article.
“The way the federal Indian boarding school system was designed, I wasn’t supposed to be here. I shouldn’t be in this position,” she said.
Shotton’s efforts in diversity, equity and inclusion extend beyond Indigenous students. According to her cover letter, she has helped expand FLC’s commitment to Latinx, Black, LGBTQIA2S+ and first-generation students.
Throughout her six-page cover letter, she continually emphasized a commitment to creating a campus and classroom environment that fosters the success of all students.
Last week, the Woman’s Resource Center in Durango honored Shotton with its Extraordinary Woman award for her dedication to inclusive spaces in higher education.
The committee selected Shotton for her dedication to mentoring and advocating for women in academia, especially women of color, said Tammy Tyner, executive director of the WRC.
Shotton was named the finalist for president just hours before the award dinner at the DoubleTree Hotel, Tyner said.
“We were all thrilled. I mean, it was so loud in the DoubleTree – clapping and cheering her on – that I’m sure everybody who was staying at that hotel knew something big was going on,” Tyner said.
Shotton also played a key role in developing FLC’s 2025-30 strategic plan, which identifies recruitment, retention and student success as top priorities.
Her application emphasized a commitment to advancing those goals if appointed president, and highlighted her experience in procuring funding for the institution.
She plans to use her leadership experience, relationship-building skills and advocacy background to strengthen connections with philanthropic groups, donors and stakeholders, while also exploring alternative funding sources.
In previous presidential searches, the college has named multiple finalists and hosted campus interviews and meet-and-greets. This time, it opted for a closed search, naming just one finalist.
The closed search was intended to protect candidates from repercussions that could arise with their current employers if their interest became public, trustees said in August.
“From the college’s perspective, this approach allows for a more thorough vetting process and reduces public pressure, which is crucial in finding the right leader for our college,” two trustees wrote in a signed letter.
A 15-member search committee included faculty, staff members, students and trustees. The committee reviewed applications, conducted interviews and submitted a short list of top candidates to the board. A search firm assisted in the process.
jbowman@durangoherald.com
An earlier version of this story gave an incorrect last name for Tammy Tyner, executive director of the Women’s Resource Center.
