SESSIONS PRESENTERS
Weaving Our Stories Conference
Throughout the conference, presenters will focus on harnessing and celebrating the unique strengths of Indigenous students in higher education. Review session descriptions and presenter information below.
WEDNESDAY
9:00 am | KEYNOTE
Dr. Heather J. Shotton is the 11th President of Fort Lewis College and the first Native American to lead the institution. A nationally recognized scholar and advocate for Indigenous education, Dr. Shotton brings over 20 years of experience in academic leadership, student success, and institutional transformation.
An enrolled citizen of the Wichita & Affiliated Tribes and descendant of the Kiowa and Cheyenne Tribes, she has dedicated her career to advancing equity, reconciliation, and access in higher education. Her leadership at FLC centers on belonging, academic excellence, and honoring the institution’s unique history.
A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Shotton previously served as Chair of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies at the University of Oklahoma and as Board President of the National Indian Education Association.