Fort Lewis College

Fort Lewis College (FLC) offers a unique liberal arts experience nestled in Durango, Colorado, at the heart of the scenic Four Corners region. It stands out not only as the only four-year and graduate studies institution in this historic area but also for its profound and enduring commitment to diversity and education for all, particularly its tuition-free mandate for qualified Native American and Alaska Native students.

FLC's rich history traces back through various forms, from a U.S. military fort to an Indian boarding school, before evolving into the public college it is today. A pivotal moment occurred in 1911 when the institution was established with a foundational mandate to provide tuition-free education to Native American Tribal and Alaska Native Village members, a commitment FLC proudly upholds to this day. After expanding from an "agricultural and mechanic arts high school" to Fort Lewis A&M College, FLC moved to its breathtaking Durango campus in 1956 and began awarding its first baccalaureate degrees in 1964, solidifying its identity as a comprehensive four-year institution.

Today, FLC cultivates a vibrant and inclusive academic community. Its student body reflects remarkable diversity, comprising 37% Native American/Alaska Native learners representing 166 tribes, 43% first-generation students, 42% Pell Grant recipients, and 15% Hispanic students. Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Native American-Serving, Non-Tribal Institution (NASNTI) and by the State of Colorado as a First Generation-Serving Institution, with emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) status, FLC is deeply dedicated to fostering a supportive and enriching environment for all.

The college is actively engaged in reconciliation efforts concerning its past, a commitment reaffirmed by its Board of Trustees in 2023. A testament to this ongoing progress is the appointment of Heather Shotton as FLC's new president in 2025, marking her as the first Indigenous person to lead the institution, signaling a future built on inclusivity and cultural understanding.