DURANGO, COLO.— In a unanimous vote, the Fort Lewis College (FLC) Board of Trustees approved the institution's transformative 2025–2030 Strategic Plan. The plan, developed through a highly collaborative process involving over 1,000 stakeholders, charts a bold vision for the college’s future, focusing on academic excellence, student success, reconciliation, and community partnerships.
“This plan reflects the heart and soul of Fort Lewis College,” said Board Chair Mary Rubadeau. “It’s bold, actionable, and rooted in our commitment to students, equity, and innovation. It positions FLC as a national leader in rural higher education and workforce development.”
The plan introduces five strategic directions—Academics, Basic Needs, Community Connections, Reconciliation, and Student Ready—each tied to measurable goals. The initiatives address critical priorities such as retention and graduation rates, reducing equity gaps, and addressing housing and food insecurity.
Interim President Steve Schwartz emphasized the plan’s balance between ambition and adaptability. “This framework captures who we are while providing space for future leadership to build on its foundation,” he said.
During the board meeting, trustees commended the plan’s thoughtful accountability measures. Each strategic direction includes metrics designed to track progress. The college will measure success in areas such as student retention, faculty and staff recruitment, and post-graduation outcomes.
Rubadeau noted, “The plan includes mechanisms to ensure we’re not just setting bold goals but achieving them. It provides clarity for our community and potential partners.”
The process was rigorous and inclusive, said FLC Chief Strategic Officer Alana Romans, who led the Strategic Plan Steering Committee. “We reviewed every initiative and metric to ensure this is a bold, actionable plan, reflecting feedback from the board and our campus community,”
Trustees and steering committee members also praised the integration of diverse voices, including students like Carmen Hall, the committee’s student representative. “Carmen’s insights shaped key elements of the plan, ensuring the student experience remains central to FLC’s mission,” Rubadeau said.
The 2025–2030 Strategic Plan will officially launch in January 2025 with the formation of an Implementation Committee. This group of campus leaders will ensure that the plan’s initiatives are executed effectively, keeping the document “living, breathing, and evolving” to adapt to future needs. The Board of Trustees will review progress on the plan every year, revising targeted implementation goals as needed.
For more information on Fort Lewis College’s 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, visit www.fortlewis.edu.