Welcome from Dr. Heather J. Shotton, President
Dr. Heather J. Shotton serves as the 11th President of Fort Lewis College, making history as the first Native American to lead the institution. She brings over two decades of experience in academic leadership, student success, and institutional transformation to her role.
Dr. Shotton is leading the implementation of Fort Lewis College's 2025-30 Strategic Plan, focused on five interwoven strategic directions that reflect the collective campus vision. As she describes it, "This is work that can only happen in this special place—because of our location, the land, and the people. The strategic plan embraces that."
Her leadership emphasizes building a future grounded in belonging, access, and academic excellence for every student the college serves, ensuring our approach aligns with ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ's mission of putting students at the center.
An enrolled citizen of the Wichita & Affiliated Tribes and a descendant of the Kiowa and Cheyenne Tribes, Dr. Shotton is a nationally recognized scholar and higher education leader. Before becoming president, she served for three years as Vice President of Diversity Affairs and Acting Dean of Student Engagement at ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ.
Dr. Shotton's scholarship focuses on Indigenous education and culturally responsive practices. As Board President of the National Indian Education Association, she led national advocacy efforts to strengthen educational outcomes for Indigenous communities. Her work has earned numerous accolades, including the Mildred García Senior Scholar Award and Educator of the Year from the NIEA.
At ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ, Dr. Shotton has been instrumental in advancing reconciliation work that acknowledges the institution's history as a federal Indian boarding school, positioning ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ as a national model for institutions seeking to reconcile with their past while advancing equity and student success.
A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Shotton is passionate about supporting ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ's first-generation students, who make up 42% of our student population. She earned three degrees from the University of Oklahoma and previously served as Chair of the Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies there.
Dr. Shotton's husband, John R. Shotton, serves as Chairman of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe. They have two daughters: Sloan, an ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ alumna (Public Health, '24), and Sophie, a student at the University of Oklahoma. Known for her relational leadership style, Dr. Shotton is a visible and engaged presence on campus, from Hozhoni Days Pow Wow to Skyhawks athletic events.