As we move into the second half of the semester, I continue to be inspired by the energy and dedication across campus. Spring is a time of progress and reflection. Students are building on what they have learned, faculty are advancing their teaching and research, and staff are providing the essential support that makes it all possible.
At Fort Lewis College, student success is about more than just persistence. It is about creating an environment where students find purpose, belonging, and the resources to achieve their goals. Our collective efforts, from the classroom to campus services, shape that experience. Whether through mentorship, innovative teaching, or strengthening institutional support, every one of us plays a role in helping students thrive.
In this edition of ATM, you will read about the initiatives and people driving this work forward, including a feature on internships and how central they are to the student experience. I encourage you to take a moment to celebrate these successes and reflect on the impact of your work.
Thank you for your commitment to our students, to each other, and to the mission of Fort Lewis College. I look forward to our continued work together and the opportunities ahead.
Mario Martinez Provost and Vice President
What drives student persistence?
What keeps students at Fort Lewis College?
That’s the question at the heart of the Why They Stay report, which takes a different approach to understanding retention. Instead of focusing on why our students might leave, this research dives into why they persist and what contributes to their success at FLC. These insights are already shaping how we refine our existing strategies and will help us develop new ways to support our students.
Provost Mario Martinez captured the significance of this work, explaining, “While national research gives us general guidance on retention, Why They Stay is unique because it focuses on FLC students and our campus experience. That means we can tailor our actions directly to their needs, such as a Peer Educator in every First-Year Launch class, with implementation starting in Fall 2025.”
The report has already sparked meaningful conversations. It was presented to the Retention Strategy Committee and the Provost Cabinet, where it helped kick off an interactive exercise on how we can better connect students to their
motivation and sense of purpose. Looking ahead, Enrollment Management is planning a session where the Skyhawk Station team will explore ways to use resilience-building language in their work with students.
Nicole Guthrie, FLC’s Data/AI Analyst, reflected on the report’s role in our ongoing efforts, “The Why They Stay project may not have illuminated novel ideas on student retention but instead layered student voices onto the types of challenges and nature of successes that our leadership team was already aware of. The distillation of these voices into a report serves as a shared jumpingoff point for ideation and collaboration across the campus community.”
By centering our strategies on real student experiences, we can ensure our retention efforts align with what truly matters. As we explore these insights further, Why They Stay serves as a useful resource for ongoing discussions and initiatives to support student success at FLC.
Access the full report.
PRESERVING THE PAST & BUILDING THE FUTURE
When Lacy Miller first applied for an internship at the Center for Southwest Studies in the fall of 2021, Museum Collections Manager and FLC NAGPRA Specialist Amy Cao immediately noticed her professionalism and keen attention to detail, even as a first-year student.
“Lacy was the only student [applicant] who’d submitted a resume and cover letter. That small attention to detail made me think ‘we’re hiring this person no matter what,’” said Cao. She emphasizes that the Center seeks
Lacy Miller labels a new acquisition to the museum with its unique item number using paraloid B-72, a reversible labeling technique. (Courtesy of Amy Cao)
Miller, who will graduate this spring, has taken full advantage of her internship, mastering best practices in handling, displaying, storing, and documenting objects while also developing leadership and project management skills.
“Every semester she’s really progressed in what we’ve been able to work on. She’s gained more and more independence, not just a student doing tasks, but she’s directing some of those projects now,” explains Cao.
This semester, Miller’s internship is funded by the Robert and Kelly Hill Fund through the FLC Foundation and FLC Career Services which has allowed her to work on a broader range of projects than some previous semesters.
Amy Cao and Lacy Miller carefully prepare a Crystal-style Dine’/Navajo weaving from the collection for exhibition in the Center for Southwest Studies. The pair carefully sewed on a strip of velcro between the warps of the piece that is used for mounting the textile while on exhibit in the gallery, but can be removed, if needed, while in storage.
“A lot of the different funding we’ve applied for and received have been catered to only specific types of projects which has made it kind of quirky,” said Cao. Funding internships through the FLC Foundation, such as the Center for Southwest Studies Internship Fund, which Miller has previously received, removes these barriers and allows Cao to mentor students in skill-building areas where they most want to grow.
The internship at the Center has also opened doors for Miller, paving the way for summer opportunities working at other museums including the Colorado Northwestern Field Museum.
“At conferences, people ask me where I’ve worked, and when I say six museums, they’re shocked. ‘You’re still an undergrad? That’s awesome!’ they say,” said Miller. “So the Center has helped to build the resume and it’s a really, really good way to learn. A lot of practices that I use within paleontology I’ve brought here, and then things that I’ve learned here I’ve also brought back there. It’s been really fun to tie all of the best practices in together,” said Miller.
Miller’s experiences at other institutions have also benefited Cao and the Center.
“It’s really helpful for me, too. If anybody tries to say there’s one way to do things in museums—it’s so not true. It’s a field that really, really needs collaboration and is always evolving in terms of what we’re learning from other disciplines. We’re very much a place that’s responding to different cultural needs and taking into consideration the living communities whose objects we care for, working with artists, things like that. But I think what’s been fun working with Lacy is that she’s more on the STEM side of things and that’s really helped our work, too,” said Cao.
Miller, a geology major with a minor in anthropology, is also pursuing certificates in Geographic Information Systems and Museum Management. These studies lead her to a research project focusing on how to bring the public into paleontology while advancing preservation.
“I had always found that if I’d show my friends or family photos of a dig site they’d be like, ‘cool, they’re rocks.’ I’m like no you don’t understand. So, I wanted to make it more accessible for the public because the public can’t go out to field sites all the time,” she explains.
Using lidar 3-D scans, she and her team cataloged and inventoried the site.
“We know exactly what things look like and let’s say something accidentally drops, we can put it right back together because we have this 3-D model, not just pictures,” she said. “It’s also great because people can’t always make it in person and you could have an entire exhibit online which is really exciting.”
As she continues to grow in her understanding of best practices at the Center, Miller has been able to share her knowledge with other interns and students of all ages who visit the museum.
“Lacy is one of our best people to describe the hands-on parts of what we do to other interns, and there’s a lot of things that having worked in this field for so long that I just don’t think of saying out loud,” said Cao. “Translating for different people, both audiences of different age groups, other students. It’s been very impressive to see how she can navigate the museum world of things, and student world, and what would a general audience need to know. It’s very impressive.”
Miller and Cao have built a strong working relationship, collaborating on object care and engaging in in-depth discussions on museum best practices and evolving theories.
“I definitely feel like I speak Amy now pretty well, and I can interpret it, and I know exactly what she means. It’s been fun to have that close connection,” said Miller.
Cao says the internship opportunities that are available to FLC students through the Center is a major point of pride.
“I’ve been glad to work at Fort Lewis because of the internships that we offer through the Center of Southwest Studies … everything that we’re teaching to our undergraduate students is graduate-level and beyond. Having access to that in such a rural place and being the main museum institution that students can get training from is huge and something that I wish I’d had more of an option for in undergrad, especially as a work-study job or an internship that like can lead to course credit and also looks good on a resume,” she said.
Celebrating 60 years of the Center of Southwest Studies
The Center for Southwest Studies proudly marks its 60th anniversary, celebrating a legacy of preservation, research, and community engagement. Established in 1964 with initial donations from Durango Herald publishers Morley and Arthur Ballantine and local banker A.M. Camp, the Center has grown into a vital institution dedicated to the history and cultures of the Southwest.
With over 80,000 museum objects and 6,000 linear feet of archival records, the Center serves as an active museum, research library, and cultural hub. To commemorate this milestone, the exhibit A Legacy of Gifts: 60 Years of the Center of Southwest Studies showcases 60 unique donations, reflecting both the Center’s evolution and the generosity of its supporters. This celebration reaffirms the Center’s mission to connect the past with the present, fostering inclusive, experiential learning.
A Legacy of Gifts: 60 Years of the Center of Southwest Studies is supported by a generous grant from the Ballantine Family Fund and is on display through November 13, 2025.
DAWN MULHERN STEPS INTO ASSOCIATE PROVOST ROLE
Dr. Dawn Mulhern is set to lead academic innovation and support as she steps into the role of Associate Provost for Faculty and Student Affairs on July 1, 2025. Her appointment ensures a smooth transition following the impactful tenure of Dr. Kris Greer, whose leadership has left a lasting mark on the college community.
“Dawn brings deep experience and knowledge about Fort Lewis College, our faculty and students, and she is also open and very forward thinking. This balance and perspective that Dawn brings will help us navigate landscape challenges and build on the strong foundation that Associate Provost Greer has built in student and faculty affairs. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Associate Provost Greer for her tireless dedication over the years,” said Provost Mario Martinez.
Since joining Fort Lewis College in 2005, Mulhern has distinguished herself as a leading forensic anthropologist and educator. She has demonstrated exceptional leadership as Chair of the Anthropology Department, Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences, and Interim Dean of the School of Culture and Environment. Her dedication to excellence at FLC has been recognized with honors such as the Fort Lewis College Achievement Award and the Featured Scholar Award.
“During two decades at FLC, I have seen tremendous growth of our institution thanks to the many people who are invested in our mission and the success of our students. I look forward to joining the provost’s team as we work to further enhance the student experience and support our amazing faculty,” said Mulhern.
Dr. Kris Greer, who began her Fort Lewis College journey in 2002, has been a steadfast advocate for both faculty and students. As Associate Provost, she balanced her passion for teaching in the Teacher Education Department with her leadership responsibilities, collaborating across departments to refine academic processes and enhance faculty and student well-being. Her work with the Academic Care and Behavioral Intervention Teams, as well as her problem-solving approach to systemic challenges, has strengthened student success initiatives and faculty support structures.
“Serving as Associate Provost has been an incredibly rewarding experience. What I’ve enjoyed most is working with both faculty and students—supporting faculty in their professional development and helping them navigate challenges, while also contributing to student success by addressing academic and behavioral concerns. I’m especially proud of the ways we’ve strengthened support systems that help both faculty and students thrive. While I’ll miss being part of these efforts in an official capacity, I look forward to seeing Fort Lewis College continue to grow and flourish,” said Greer.
Mulhern’s extensive background in research, outreach, and academic leadership positions her to build upon Greer’s legacy. Her commitment to fostering a thriving academic environment will ensure that Academic Affairs continues to support and empower faculty, students, and the broader college community.
ACROSS OUR CAMPUS
ENROLLMENT & RETENTION
In Fall 2024, our first-year retention rate increased from 59.5% in Fall 2023 to 65%
The ELEVATING STRENGTHS
working group, comprised of faculty and administrative leaders, is gathering feedback on program organization across schools and from an external consultant to inform the group’s recommendations. There will be opportunities for faculty feedback in April.
CAREER & WORKFORCE
In January, FLC@WORK launched Photovoltaic Certification training with 10 participants in Photovoltaic 101
Our enrollment increased by
119 students from Fall 2023 to Fall 2024
The FLC Water Center & Project RUN
are collaborating to conduct site visits at water operations across five counties to assess workforce needs in water and public infrastructure. After completion, a design sprint will engage stakeholders in developing training programs.
Spring 2025 census shows a 2.31% increase in total enrollment from Spring 2024
SPONSORED PROJECT FUNDING
An increase from $37 million in July 2023 to a December 2024 total of $50.6 million
CENTER FOR SOUTHWEST STUDIES
Tour attendance at the Center has almost doubled with over
400 people taking part in a tour
EXCEL PROGRAM
More than
2,000 FLC students have benefited from transformative learning experiences since the launch of EXCEL.
Want to share a highlight with us? We want to hear from you! Let us know about the great work you, your colleagues, or your students are accomplishing. Share your celebration or any thoughts you have in our online form
