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Fort Lewis College

Durango, CO

publicgraduate

Quick Facts

1911
Founded
Public liberal arts college
Type
3,544
Total Students
3,393
Undergrad
152
Graduate
$38M
Endowment
(2025)
Baccalaureate Colleges
Classification
President: Heather Shotton

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Fort Lewis College

Experience a unique liberal arts education at the heart of the Four Corners.

Fort Lewis College, nestled in the scenic Durango, Colorado, offers a distinctive public liberal arts education. It stands as the only four-year and graduate studies institution in the vibrant Four Corners region, providing students with unparalleled access to outdoor adventure and a rich cultural landscape. Beyond its stunning location, FLC is deeply committed to diversity and inclusion, reflected in its status as a Native American-Serving, Non-Tribal Institution (NASNTI) and its long-standing provision of tuition-free education for qualified Native American and Alaska Native students.

The college's history is as multifaceted as its landscape, evolving from a U.S. military fort to an Indian boarding school, and ultimately into the dynamic college it is today. This complex past has shaped FLC's present, fostering a unique environment where reconciliation efforts and community engagement are paramount. Today, the college is a proud First Generation-Serving Institution and an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution, dedicated to supporting a broad spectrum of learners.

Academically, FLC empowers students with a robust liberal arts foundation, preparing them for diverse career paths and engaged citizenship. The college prides itself on a close-knit community where nearly 37% of students are Native American/Alaska Native, representing 166 Tribes and Villages, and 43% are first-generation students. This rich tapestry of backgrounds creates a vibrant and supportive learning environment, ensuring a comprehensive and engaging student experience both inside and outside the classroom. From its historic roots to its forward-looking commitment to equity, Fort Lewis College offers an educational journey unlike any other.

Key Highlights

  • Located in Durango, Colorado, the only four-year and graduate studies institution in the Four Corners region.
  • Provides tuition-free education to qualified Native American Tribal and Alaska Native Village members, a mandate since 1911.
  • A designated Native American-Serving, Non-Tribal Institution (NASNTI) by the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Serves a highly diverse community with 37% Native American/Alaska Native learners and 43% first-generation students.
  • First Indigenous person, Heather Shotton (Cheyenne and Kiowa, Wichita & Affiliated Tribes), appointed as college president in 2025.
  • Recognized as a First Generation-Serving Institution by the State of Colorado.

Timeline

1878
First Fort Lewis army post constructed in Pagosa Springs, relocated to Hesperus in 1880.
1891
Fort Lewis decommissioned and converted into a federal, off-reservation Indian boarding school.
1911
Fort Lewis property transferred to Colorado to establish an 'agricultural and mechanic arts high school,' with a tuition-free mandate for Indian students.
1930
The high school expanded into a two-year college.
1948
Became Fort Lewis A&M College under the State Board of Agriculture.
1956
College moved from Hesperus to its current location overlooking Durango.
1964
Awarded its first baccalaureate degrees; dropped 'A&M' moniker, changed mascot to Raiders.
1994
College mascot changed from Raiders to Skyhawks due to cultural sensitivity concerns.
2008
Designated a Native American-Serving, Non-Tribal Institution (NASNTI) by the U.S. Department of Education.
2025
Heather Shotton named the first Indigenous college president.
🏛️
115 Years
of Excellence

Leadership

Heather Shotton
President
Mario Martinez
Provost

Data from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

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