DURANGO— The Fort Lewis College Board of Trustees recently announced the composition of a 15-member Presidential Search Committee.

The committee will serve in an advisory role to select FLC's next president and includes representatives from the Board of Trustees, FLC’s Foundation Board, faculty, staff, and students, as well as a statewide community partner.

In addition, the board contracted with Ann Yates and Pelema Ellis, Ph.D., from the firm Buffkin / Baker to support the search. Buffkin / Baker has conducted over 900 executive searches for universities and colleges, including leading liberal arts colleges, regional private and public colleges and universities, large research universities, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

In a letter to campus, vice chair of the Board of Trustees and chair of the Presidential Search Committee Janet Lopez said the board has been busy planning the search process and assembling the presidential search committee in preparation for the launch of the search when everyone returns to campus in the fall.

“In September (date to be determined), we will conduct open forums and listening sessions to gather your input,” she said. “When we finalize the date for the listening sessions, we will update you with the times and locations. We very much value and look forward to your participation.”

Presidential Search Committee members include:

FLC Foundation Board
Incoming Chair and Bank of Colorado Market President Jason Portz

Board of Trustees
Janet Lopez, vice chair of the Board of Trustees and chair of the Presidential Search Committee
Stacey DeFore
Ernest House, Jr.
Dick Kaufman
Adam Red

Faculty and staff
Jenni Trujillo, Dean of the School of Education
David Blake, Professor of Biology, School of Biology
Liz Cartier, Associate Professor of Management, School of Business
Paul DeBell, Associate Professor of Political Science, Assistant Dean of Impact and Innovation
Melissa Mount, VP of Advancement, CEO of FLC Foundation
Alana Romans, Director of Strategic Initiatives
Stella Zhu, Basic Needs Coordinator

Student Representative
Brittany Bitsilly, Student Body President 

Statewide Community Partner
Khanh Nguyen, senior officer, Impact Investing, Colorado Health Foundation.

Find future updates on the Presidential Search Committee website.