Heritage University Promotes Crystal Sampson to Vice President of Operations and Chief of Staff

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Heritage University Promotes Crystal Sampson to Vice President of Operations and Chief of Staff

Toppenish, Wash. — Heritage University announced the promotion of Crystal Sampson to Vice President of Operations and Chief of Staff to the President, a milestone appointment that reflects both her leadership and the university’s commitment to representation and community-centered governance. With this promotion, Sampson becomes the first enrolled member of the Yakama Nation to hold the title of Vice President at Heritage University.

Crystal Sampson is the daughter of Atwai Melvin Roger Sampson, a nationally respected leader in Native American affairs who served for 18 years as Chairman of the Yakama Nation Tribal Council. He played an instrumental role in the founding of Heritage University and demonstrated a steadfast commitment to education by helping establish scholarships supporting Native American programs. Her mother, Betty Sampson, is regarded as one of the matriarchs of Heritage University, having faithfully served as executive assistant to each of the institution’s four presidents.

Sampson joined Heritage University in August 2023 as the Director of Human Resources. Before coming to Heritage, she held a series of managerial positions of increasing responsibility, including: accounting manager for the Yakama Nation in Toppenish, Wash.; human resources manager at Yakama Nation Housing Authority, also in Toppenish; office manager overseeing accounting operations as well as assisting the general manager for Yakama Forest Products; and interim manager during an expansion of Legends Casino Hotel. Before working for the Yakama Nation, Sampson spent nineteen years in various management positions at Costco Wholesale in six different states, including corporate accounting at Costco headquarters in Issaquah, Washington. She earned a B.S. and an A.A. in business administration from Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kan.

Since joining Heritage University, Sampson has played a pivotal role in advancing institutional operations and strategy. President Chris Gilmer noted that the promotion formalizes responsibilities Sampson has effectively carried out since his arrival at the university. “Crystal has been a trusted partner in leadership from day one,” said President Gilmer. “She brings nearly 20 years of executive leadership experience from Costco, along with invaluable service within the Yakama Nation’s administration. Her insight, integrity, and deep understanding of our community make Heritage stronger every day.”

In her expanded role, Sampson will continue to oversee university operations while serving as a key advisor to the president, helping align strategic priorities at Heritage’s campus in Toppenish and co-chairing a management team overseeing its regional site in Kennewick, Wash. Gilmer emphasized that her promotion is both a recognition of her contributions and a reflection of Heritage’s values.

“Crystal’s leadership mirrors the community we serve,” Gilmer added. “Her promotion strengthens our relationships with tribal nations and ensures that our decision-making is informed by lived experience, cultural knowledge, and a deep commitment to our mission.”

Sampson said she is deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve Heritage University in this role. “It is an honor to support our students, faculty, and staff, and to help advance a mission that reflects my values, my professional journey, and my commitment to the communities we serve,” said Sampson. “My experiences in tribal government, higher education, and corporate leadership have prepared me to lead with accountability, collaboration, and care. I look forward to continuing this work alongside campus and community partners as we strengthen Heritage’s impact for future generations.”

Sampson’s promotion is part of President Gilmer’s intentional effort to strengthen and diversify Heritage University’s leadership. Of the university’s six most recent promotions, five were awarded to women, including four women of color. “Each individual was selected based on their exceptional qualifications and proven leadership,” said Dr. Gilmer. “At the same time, I have been deliberate in advancing leaders who reflect the students and communities we serve, furthering our mission and empowering the university’s future.”

For more information, please contact Davidson Mance, media relations coordinator at (509) 969-6084 or mance_d@heritage.edu.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New website uses data to highlight trends on the Yakama Nation Reservation in areas vital to the well-being of the community

Toppenish, Wash. – A new website compiles data from publicly available sources to provide information about the Yakama Nation Reservation community. YakamaNationVitals.org uses content compiled by the Institute of Public Policy and Economic Analysis at Eastern Washington University (EWU), in partnership with Yakima Valley Partners for Education (YVPE).

The Yakama Vitals website, sanctioned by the Yakama Nation Tribal Council by resolution in 2024, presents data on the entire Yakama Nation Reservation community in six areas: people, economic vitality, education, health, housing and natural resources. Suzy Diaz, the director of YVPE says by bringing robust data into one accessible, thoughtfully designed place, Yakama Vitals helps us see more clearly the challenges before us and the opportunities to work together in new and more impactful ways. “As we begin to explore the data and the trends it reveals, we are invited into deeper collaboration—across agencies, institutions, and communities—to focus on where we can improve outcomes for all people of the Yakama Nation Reservation, and neighboring communities,” says Diaz.

Yakama Nation Tribal Administrative Director Crystal Bass is excited by the opportunities for collaboration that can be enhanced by Yakama Vitals. “One important outcome from this launch is a simple but powerful one: sharing this site broadly within our networks. By doing so, we can invite further ideation, encourage new partnerships, and expand the circle of collaborators who can use this data to ask better questions and develop better solutions, especially in support of our Tribal Government, whose decisions guide the wellbeing and future of our communities,” said Bass.

Dr. Patrick Jones, the executive director of the Institute for Public Policy & Economic Analysis at EWU, says the Yakama Vitals project is the first of its kind in Washington State involving data gathered on a Native American Reservation community. Dr. Jones is grateful for the involvement of YVPE and the Yakama Nation leadership. “This partnership is a powerful example of what can happen when vision is matched with investment and trust,” Jones said.

Isaac Kwakye, deputy executive director of the Washington Student Achievement Council, agrees. “Yakama Vitals demonstrates the power of Tribal leadership and community priorities by delivering timely, actionable data. It will enable partners across the region to coordinate their efforts and improve outcomes for learners and families. We’re proud to support a tool that puts key information in the hands of those who need it most.”

Heritage University Senior Vice President of Advancement, Marketing and Admissions David Wise expressed gratitude to the partnership that makes the Yakama Vitals project possible. “We are also deeply grateful to the Washington Student Achievement Council and The Ballmer Group for providing the funding that made this work possible, and to Yakima Valley Partners for Education for creating the conditions that allowed Yakama Tribal Leadership to collaborate with Dr. Jones on Yakama Vitals 1.0. I’m thankful for everyone’s leadership, participation and commitment. I look forward to the continued collaboration ahead as we turn insight into action and data into better outcomes for all,” said Wise.

For easy access and sharing, the Yakama Vitals portal can be found here: https://yakamanationvitals.org

For more information, please contact Heritage University Media Relations Coordinator Davidson Mance at (509) 969-6084 or mance_d@heritage.edu.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Heritage University President Announces Major Leadership Expansion and Bold Vision for the Future

Toppenish, Wash. – Heritage University President Dr. Chris Gilmer has announced a broad expansion and reorganization of the university’s leadership team, paired with strategic initiatives designed to strengthen student success, deepen community partnerships, and position Heritage for continued growth as it approaches its 50th anniversary in 2033.

Central to the expansion is the appointment of Sagrario Armenta-Jimenez as Vice President of Administration and Chief Financial Officer. Armenta-Jimenez brings extensive experience in education finance and operations. “Sagrario is an exceptional leader whose commitment to transparency, fiscal stewardship, and student-centered decision-making aligns perfectly with the direction we are taking Heritage University,” said Dr. Gilmer.

Dr. Gilmer also announced a series of leadership promotions, including David Wise, who has been elevated from Vice President to Senior Vice President of Advancement, Marketing, and Admissions. During Wise’s tenure, Heritage has more than doubled annual giving from $1.5 million to $3.1 million and secured transformative philanthropic investments, including a historic $10 million unrestricted gift, a $6.3 million scholarship gift, and a $2 million endowed chair in nursing.

Crystal Sampson has been promoted to Chief of Staff to the President and Vice President of Operations, formalizing a role she has effectively filled since Dr. Gilmer’s arrival. With nearly 20 years of leadership experience at Costco and service within the Yakama Nation’s administration, Sampson becomes the first enrolled member of the Yakama Nation to hold the title of Vice President at Heritage University—reflecting Gilmer’s commitment to leadership that mirrors the university’s community and strengthens relationships with tribal nations.

Additional promotions include SaraBecca Martin to Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, expanding her role overseeing accreditation, institutional effectiveness, and academic planning, and Adriana Villafan to Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, recognizing her leadership of high-touch, wraparound student support programs. Apart from Armenta-Jimenez, these roles represent reclassifications of internal talent rather than new hires, underscoring Heritage’s commitment to recognizing and elevating its own leaders.

Dr. Gilmer has also launched a national search for a new Vice President for Academic Affairs, signaling a renewed emphasis on academic innovation and excellence. He has also expanded the senior leadership team to include a student voice for the first time, appointing Student Government Association President Mercedes Garcia to the president’s leadership table. “Having students help shape decisions that affect their lives and learning is essential to who we are as an institution,” Gilmer said.

Dr. Gilmer also shared an update regarding the future of Heritage University’s Tri-Cities operations. Beginning in January 2026, these operations will report directly to the President as the University advances a new leadership model and develops an expanded investment plan for the region. This approach reflects an enhanced dedication to the Tri-Cities and a strategic focus on growth, innovation, and long-term impact. “This is a commitment to growth and new direction,” Gilmer emphasized.

In addition to leadership changes, the university has launched a $1 million fundraising campaign to eliminate hunger on campus, addressing food insecurity as a critical barrier to student success. “No student should ever have to choose between their education and their next meal,” said Gilmer.

Looking ahead to Heritage University’s 50th anniversary in 2033, Dr. Gilmer’s vision includes assertive fundraising, expanded academic programs, deeper community engagement, and building a national reputation that reflects “the excellence Heritage already demonstrates every day.”

“Heritage University has a powerful mission and a remarkable community,” Gilmer said, “We are investing boldly in our future—our students, our people, and our partnerships.”

For more information, please contact: Davidson Mance, Media Relations Coordinator at
(509) 969-6084 or mance_d@heritage.edu.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Heritage University featured as cover story in national higher education magazine

Toppenish, Wash. – Heritage University has been featured as the cover story of The EDU Ledger, a leading national publication that highlights innovation and leadership in higher education. The article, titled “The Call of Home,” explores how the university is reshaping educational opportunity in central Washington and beyond through its deep ties to community, culture, and access.

The article chronicles the inspiring story of Heritage University, a higher education institution founded on the Yakama Reservation in central Washington through the collaboration of local Yakama women and a Catholic sister determined to create access to college for underserved communities. It traces the university’s origins, growth, and mission to provide culturally responsive education that honors Native traditions while welcoming all students in the Yakima Valley. Highlighting the leadership of current president Dr. Christopher Gilmer, it showcases how Heritage continues to break barriers for first-generation, Native, and Hispanic students—proving that education rooted in culture and community can transform lives and strengthen entire regions.

“This recognition affirms what we have long known at Heritage—that our students and faculty are doing work that is both locally rooted and nationally significant,” said Dr. Christopher Gilmer, president of Heritage University. “We are honored that The EDU Ledger chose to highlight how the power of education, when connected to culture and community, can change the trajectory of entire families and regions.”

Founded in 1982 on the Yakama Indian Reservation, Heritage University has built a reputation for advancing equity in higher education through partnerships, cultural inclusion, and programs designed to meet the needs of diverse learners. The university’s story in The EDU Ledger underscores its ongoing commitment to creating pathways for success that honor heritage while opening doors to the future.

For Heritage students, faculty, and alumni, the national spotlight is both a moment of pride and a validation of the university’s broader impact. “It’s deeply meaningful to see Heritage recognized on a national platform,” said David Wise, Vice President of External Affairs. “It tells the world that the work happening here in central Washington matters.”

The full feature, “The Call of Home,” is available now in the latest issue of The EDU Ledger which can be accessed online here:

https://lscpagepro.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=855737

For more information, please contact Davidson Mance, media relations coordinator at (509) 969-6084 or mance_d@heritage.edu.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Heritage University announces inauguration of Dr. Chris Gilmer as fourth president

Toppenish, Wash. – Heritage University is hosting the inauguration of Chris Gilmer, Ph.D. as its fourth president at its Toppenish campus on Friday, October 17, 2025. Doors open at 9:30 a.m., and the Installation Ceremony at Heritage will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m., followed by a reception at 12:00 p.m.

Inaugurations are as much of a celebration of the university and the communities they serve as they are of the incoming president. Dr. Gilmer joined Heritage University on July 1, 2025. He succeeded Dr. Andrew Sund who retired after serving as president for eight years. Gilmer has served as president of two Appalachian universities, West Virginia University at Parkersburg and West Virginia University Potomac State College. He has served as a faculty member and administrator at three Historically Black Colleges and Universities including Tougaloo College, in Jackson, Mississippi, where he was the Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Social Justice and served on the college’s Board of Trustees. Gilmer has also served at one Hispanic-Serving Institution, Adams State University in Colorado, where he was Vice President for Academic Affairs. He is also the founder of the National Institutes for Historically- Underserved Students.

Dr. Gilmer received a bachelor’s degree in English/Journalism from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS a master’s degree in English from Mississippi College, and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Southern Mississippi. Gilmer and his spouse David live in Yakima, Wash.

The public is invited to attend Dr. Gilmer’s installation ceremony and reception and are encouraged to RSVP at heritage.edu/installation. For more information, please contact Davidson Mance, media relations coordinator at (509) 969-6084 or mance_d@heritage.edu.

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