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Dean of Student Engagement Jeff Dupont bids farewell to Fort Lewis College
DURANGO— In 2001, Jeff Dupont arrived at Fort Lewis College with his wife, two dogs, and their three-month-old baby to start as the Assistant Director of Recreational Services. 
For months, he worked from a storage room in Whalen Gym to prepare for the grand opening of the Student Life Center, which was still under construction.
"We had an all-star staff, and the excitement of opening that new building was something I'll never forget,” he recalled. "It was the best feeling ever."
A wish coming true
Dupont’s journey to FLC was serendipitous. During their honeymoon, he and his wife Stacy had fallen in love with Durango. “I told my wife that if FLC ever built a recreation center, I'd be the first to apply for the job."
After graduating from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and working in recreation there, a position came open, and they found themselves back in Durango. In 2003, Dupont left for an opportunity in his wife’s hometown before returning to campus in 2008, this time as Director of Recreation, progressing to Associate Vice President and Dean of Students in 2021.
Teamwork
After 18 years at FLC, Dupont is moving on to a new role as CEO of the Durango Chamber of Commerce. Asked about what he’s the proudest, he tears up a bit.
“Identifying what students are missing in their experience and finding creative solutions where they are,” he said. “At the beginning of my career, it was all fun, recreation, and playing in that space. Then, it became what they are missing from health, wellness, and basic needs and how we can fill those gaps. The work with basic needs and student wellbeing sticks out for me.
“Building the case that mental health crisis was coming, getting resources and working to build a strong counseling and the relationship with Denver Indian Health Services, bringing here the mobile clinic, is something I’m proud of,” he added. 
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dupont’s team oversaw the health response, setting up testing sites, hiring employees, and creating quarantine spaces to house students.
Throughout that time, creativity and collaboration were vital, he added.
“We recruited a team of case managers, administrators, staff and faculty made meal deliveries for those who were in isolation, everyone pitched in,” he recalled.
For those who worked with him, it is no surprise that Dupont emphasizes that everything he’s accomplished is because of this team.
"'Team' is the word I would use to describe Jeff," said Director of Student Well-Being Kendra Gallegos Reichle. "He is a team player who does everything collaboratively and does not try to reinvent the wheel. He's on the same team as the students and on the same team as the administration."
Dupont was instrumental in securing accreditation for the Health Center as a Colorado Medicaid provider, opening up greater student healthcare access. He also led a partnership with Denver Indian Health & Family Services to bring their mobile clinic to campus, expanding healthcare services for Indigenous students. He particularly highlighted the growth of the Student Well-Being Division and the establishment of the Grub Hub Food Pantry as one of his proudest achievements.
"I didn't do this work alone," Dupont noted. "There have always been colleagues at my side, offering to help and supporting our collaborations."
FLC Interim President Steve Schwartz emphasized Dupont's impact on the institution. "Jeff's dedication to student well-being has been evident since joining FLC. From his early days as Director of Recreation to his most recent role as Dean of Students, he has consistently prioritized our students' needs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jeff worked closely with administrators and his team to keep FLC open while many institutions nationwide closed their doors."
New opportunities
Dupont’s move to the Chamber aligns with his long-standing commitment to advocacy and community engagement.
"What I love about the Chamber is the opportunity to connect with young professionals and help grow the organization," he said. He aims to address challenges such as employee retention and living wages, which he believes are crucial for local businesses. As someone deeply connected to FLC and Durango, Dupont sees countless collaboration opportunities.
As Dupont’s child heads off to college this year, he finds himself at a new crossroads, ready to embark on a different journey.
Reflecting on his time at FLC, Dupont said, "What I will miss the most about FLC is the relationships with students, alumni and colleagues. I really consider this community my second family. I've been here 18 years, so my Fort Lewis career has been a lot like raising a child, and now it's time for me to launch out on my own and take on some new challenges. The programs we have in place and our current campus leadership make it feel like I can leave, knowing that Fort Lewis students are in great hands.”