Heather Shotton, recently appointed president of Fort Lewis College, greeted parents and students Friday, helping them carry bags and boxes to dorms, and working with staff members to make FLC’s 2025 move-in day as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
About 800 first-year students moved in on Friday, said Nardy Bickel, spokeswoman for the college.
Shotton, a citizen of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes and a descendant of the Kiowa and Cheyenne nations, is the first Native American president at FLC, according to an April news release by the college. She officially assumed office on July 1.
She previously worked as the institution’s vice president of Diversity Affairs and as the acting dean of Student Engagement. Before that, she was the chair of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Oklahoma.
Shotton remembers the day she first moved into her freshman dorm at the University of Oklahoma in 1994. Much like FLC’s move-in days, she said the transition was hectic, with a good dose of excitement and nervousness.
Shotton recalled the strange feeling of sitting in her dorm room just after her mother left.
“I was sitting in my room, and I was like, ‘Well, this is where I live now. … What do I do?” Shotton said.
She was the first of her family to go to college. The experience from her mom’s perspective – as is the case for many parents dropping their kids off for their first year of college – involved a lot of emotion.
“I think she got probably about 15 miles down the road, and had to pull over because she was crying,” Shotton said.
She said once she found her college community, she made lifelong connections – including meeting her future husband.
Seeing the incoming freshmen reminded Shotton that they are about to embark on the same journey of discovery, identity and connection that she did in 1994.
“It’s exciting seeing the students come in, and knowing that those are all the (same) things that they’re thinking about,” she said. “Who are my friends going to be? What am I going to do tonight? What happens when my parents leave?”
Freshman Dominique Armijo, who moved from New Mexico to attend FLC, moved into her dorm room with the help of her family.
“I’m excited … a bit nervous,” she said. “But I think I’m ready.”
Dominique said she largely chose the school for its track program. She specializes in long jump and sprints.
“Honestly, the track program really drove me to come here,” she said. “I’m really excited for that, and excited for the opportunity.”
Dominique’s mom, Toni Armijo, said she felt good about dropping off Dominique, and seeing her set out on her own.
“This is my third (kid), and she’s at a really good school,” Toni said. “Everybody here has been so friendly, and it just makes me know that she’s in the right spot.”
Freshman Dimetrio Pino said one of the things he’s most excited about is studying and living on the FLC campus, known for its beauty and mountain views.
“It’ll be weird being away from home, but other than that, I’m excited,” he said.
Rhi Bible, a student ambassador in her junior year, tried to assure new students – and their nervous parents – that college life becomes a lot less scary over time.
“A lot of times people are like, ‘Yeah, I’m a little nervous,’” she said. “I’m just like, ‘Don’t be! Everyone else in here is also nervous, so trust me, it’ll be great.’”
One of Bible’s favorite parts about move-in day is seeing people she gave tours to coming back as enrolled students.
Shotton said she understands what parents are experiencing, as she was once a mother dropping off her own daughter on campus.
“My daughter was here, and I saw first thing as a parent (that) there was really critical work happening around reconciliation, and the approach to caring for students and basic needs,” she said.
The opportunities involved with moving from a faculty position to a presidential role felt exciting, Shotton said.
“I’ve been faculty for most of my career, and it was a chance to put into action and see immediate impacts of what I had been writing about and teaching about for years,” she said. “I really had just fallen in love with this institution and the people here, and I wanted to be a part of everything that we’re building.”
FLC’s vision for this year aligns with those values, she said. Shotton wants to put student needs first, place a focus on reconciliation and academic excellence, and ensure that the school’s diverse student body feels welcome and supported through the school’s 2025-30 strategic plan.
“I’m glad to be here, and I’m glad to get to do this work with such amazing faculty and staff,” she said while mingling with students, family and staff during check-in on Friday. “And I’m really excited about this new incoming class, and a new year.”
Shotton’s advice for the incoming class is to trust yourself, and trust the decision to come to Fort Lewis College.
“Put yourself out there, ask questions, ask for help, make relationships and try new things,” she said. “This is where you get to really discover who you are. So be bold, and be unafraid.”
epond@durangoherald.com
