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

Crystal Sampson

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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Call for Proposals Announced for Third Annual Conference on Intersectionality: Intersectionality in Action

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Call for Proposals Announced for Third Annual Conference on Intersectionality: Intersectionality in Action

April 18, 2026 | 12:00–4:00 p.m. EST | Virtual Conference

Toppenish, Wash. – The Third Annual Conference on Intersectionality is now accepting proposals for keynote presentations and conference sessions for its 2026 convening, Intersectionality in Action, taking place on April 18, 2026, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. EST.

Vikki Carpenter, Ph.D.

Conference co-founder Dr. Vikki Carpenter of Heritage University, who also serves as chair with Dr. Bea Desantiago of the University of Minnesota, Mankato, invites scholars, practitioners, activists, educators, and community leaders to submit proposals that highlight applied, engaged, and transformative intersectional work. The theme, Intersectionality in Action, emphasizes moving beyond theory to showcase real-world impact across research, pedagogy, policy, community engagement, and institutional change.

Beatriz Desantiago-Fjelstad, Ed.D.

“Intersectionality in Action is about moving beyond discussion and into practice,” said Dr. Carpenter. “This conference creates space for scholars, practitioners, educators, activists, and community leaders to share applied and transformative work that is making a real-world impact,” she said. “We are especially interested in proposals that demonstrate how intersectional approaches are shaping research, pedagogy, policy, and community engagement in meaningful and measurable ways.”

Proposals are welcome for keynote presentations, individual papers or presentations, and panels, workshops, or roundtables. Keynote proposals are due March 15, 2026. Proposals for individual presentations, panels, workshops, and roundtables are due April 1, 2026, with session lengths ranging from 15 to 45 minutes.

Suggested topics include, but are not limited to, intersectionality in policy, law, criminal justice, and governance; community-engaged and participatory research; intersectional pedagogy and curriculum design; arts-based, narrative, and cultural approaches; organizing across identities and social movements; health equity and social justice; and institutional transformation and applied practice.

Submission guidelines and proposal forms are available at conferenceonintersectionality.com. For more information, please contact Vikki Carpenter at carpenter_v@heritage.edu.

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New website uses data to highlight trends on the Yakama Nation Reservation

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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Comments sought for Heritage University accreditation

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Comments sought for Heritage University accreditation

Toppenish, Wash. – Heritage University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Its accreditation status was most recently reaffirmed in spring 2019 after the acceptance of the university’s mid-cycle evaluation.

On April 22 – 24, 2026, NWCCU’s accreditation evaluation team will be visiting Heritage University to confirm and verify the content of the university’s Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness Report through collegial and compliance peer review and feedback for continuous improvement. As part of the process, Heritage University invites third party entities to submit their signed, written comments to:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
8060 165^th Avenue NE, Suite 100
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 558-4224

For electronic third-party comments, please use the link to access NWCCU’s electronic submission portal.

Comments must be received by the Commission no later than April 12, 2026. The NWCCU will consider all comments on Heritage University’s qualifications for accreditation. All signed comments will be forwarded, as received, to Heritage University, the evaluation committee, and the Commission.

To obtain a copy of Communication with Accreditation Constituencies go to www.nwccu.org and visit the Policies page on the website, or contact the Commission office at (425) 558-4224.

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

Dr. Christopher Gilmer

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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Heritage University protects students from state financial aid reductions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Heritage University protects students from state financial aid reductions

Toppenish, Wash. – Heritage University announced today that it will fully protect students from the State of Washington’s planned reduction to the Washington College Grant (WCG), ensuring no decrease in student financial aid for the 2026–2027 academic year.

The Heritage University Board of Directors has approved the use of university reserve funds to completely replace the state’s anticipated cut to the WCG. As a result, students’ total financial aid packages will remain whole—assuming their Student Aid Index stays the same. When 2026–2027 financial aid award letters are issued, students will see an increase in university-provided funding (HU Excellence), which will directly offset the state reduction.

“We want all our students, present and future, to know that they won’t be impacted by the reduction of the Washington College Grant in the coming year,” said Heritage University President Dr. Chris Gilmer. “We are committed to ensuring that no student loses support because of a state budget decision. Keeping education accessible is at the core of who we are.”

Dr. Gilmer says Heritage University administrators are actively engaging with Washington Governor Bob Ferguson’s office and state lawmakers to advocate for the full restoration of the WCG. The university is hopeful the Legislature will reverse the planned cut during the upcoming legislative session. Administrators will continue to keep students informed as developments occur. “The Yakama Nation Tribal Council is fully supporting our advocacy of the WCG, and I am grateful for the council’s solidarity on this matter,” said Dr. Gilmer.

“Heritage exists to open doors, not close them,” said Vice President of External Affairs David Wise. “We will always advocate for our students and take every step possible to ensure nothing stands in the way of their education.”

Students with questions about their financial aid are encouraged to contact the Heritage University Financial Aid Office, where staff are ready and available to assist. For more information, please contact Davidson Mance, media relations coordinator at (509) 969-6084 or mance_d@heritage.edu.

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Heritage University Has Your Back

Hi Eagles,

We want you to know something important: your financial aid is safe.

Even though the State of Washington is planning to reduce the Washington College Grant (WCG) for the 2026–27 school year, Heritage University will cover the entire cut so that your total financial aid does not go down (as long as your Student Aid Index stays the same).

Our Board of Directors has approved using university reserve funds to fill the gap. When you get your 2026–27 financial aid award letter, you’ll see an increase in HU Excellence funds from Heritage—that’s what will make up for the state’s reduction.

President Chris Gilmer put it clearly: We don’t want any current or future student to lose support because of a state budget decision. Keeping education accessible is part of who we are.

The Heritage University Financial Aid Team

Heritage is also working with state lawmakers to advocate for restoring the full Washington College Grant. We’re hopeful things will change, and we’ll keep you updated as we learn more.

As Vice President of External Affairs David Wise said: Heritage exists to open doors, not close them. We’ll always stand up for our students and do everything we can to support your education.

If you have questions about your financial aid, please reach out to the Financial Aid Office at (509) 865-8502, email them at Financial_Aid@Heritage.edu or visit the team in the Student Services Center (2000 Building).

Read the
“Heritage University protects students from state financial aid reductions”
press release here.

El Grito – Wings Fall 2025

The Heritage campus came alive with color, music and tradition in September as the community gathered for the university’s El Grito celebration.

El Grito is one of Mexico’s most cherished traditions, commemorating the start of the nation’s war for independence. Each year on September 15, the president of Mexico rings a bell at the National Palace in Mexico City and delivers the Cry of Dolores, echoing the historic call made by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla more than two centuries ago. The ritual is repeated across Mexico and beyond, carrying the same patriotic significance that the Fourth of July holds in the United States.

Heritage has hosted its own El Grito celebration since 2018, honoring the heritage shared by many of its students and creating a bridge between the university and the broader community. This year, with the holiday falling on a Sunday, the celebration was held the Friday before, with the reenactment of the Cry of Dolores moved to 7:00 p.m. instead of the traditional 11:00 p.m.

The festivities featured vibrant performances of Aztec dances, folkloric traditional dancing by Grupo La Esperanza, and lively music, which kept the crowd on its feet. Families enjoyed traditional crafts, games and activities, while community organizations hosted a resource fair. A highlight of the evening came when Mexican Consul Representative Oscarlin Figueroa Garcia led the crowd in the powerful Cry of Dolores, uniting all in a moving moment of history and pride.

Honoring Our Elders – Wings Fall 2025

November is Native American Heritage Month. Each year, Heritage University honors four Yakama elders for their lifetime contributions to their communities. This year, we recognize Terry Goudy-Rambler, Stan Miller, Wilber Slockish Jr, and Ramona Kiona.

TERRY GOUDY-RAMBLER, TSAGAGLALAL has spent her life lifting the Yakama people and protecting the sacred promises of the Treaty of 1855. Born at Celilo Falls, she carried the strength of her ancestors when her homeland was lost to the dam and transformed that loss into fearless advocacy. In the 1970s, she stood on the front lines to defend treaty fishing rights, courageously challenging boundaries on the Columbia River. She helped pave the way for tribal self- governance under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, giving her people control of their own future. Through her 25 years of working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, followed by more than two decades of service on the Yakama Nation Tribal Council, Terry’s unwavering leadership has inspired generations and remains a shining testament to sovereignty, resilience, and justice.

MOX MOX WA PA LE LE COT, STAN MILLER has lived a life of service, guided by faith, honor, and commitment to his people. He served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam era, spending three years stationed at MCRD San Diego, California, where he served as a military policeman and legal clerk. Later in life, Stan confronted and overcame personal demons, choosing to devote himself to faith and service. As chaplain of the Yakama Warriors Association, he offers comfort and strength to veterans, their families, and their communities in times of deep need. For the past 12 years, he has served faithfully as one of six elected members of the Yakama Nation’s Code of Ethics Board, providing oversight to ensure that all elected tribal leaders uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability. Through his resilience and devotion, Stan embodies dignity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to his people.

WILBUR SLOCKISH JR., SLA-KISH has dedicated his life to defending the fishing rights promised to the Yakama people in the Treaty of 1855. In the 1980s, he was arrested and imprisoned for exercising those rights, a sacrifice that drew national attention and led to landmark changes that brought tribes into partnership with government agencies to manage salmon, while prioritizing tribal fishing above commercial and sport interests. After his release, Slockish turned to educating non-tribal communities about traditional food gathering and has continued to serve as a powerful voice for environmental stewardship and treaty protections. Today, he represents the Yakama Nation on the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, where he works tirelessly to protect salmon, rivers and the cultural lifeways of his people.

RAMONA KIONA, TENIBA is a master weaver dedicated to preserving the traditional art of Klickitat huckleberry baskets. Using materials and techniques carefully passed down through generations, she creates intricate works that reflect both the beauty of the land and the strength of her people’s traditions. More than art, her weaving is a living expression of Yakama identity and resilience, tied to the seasonal harvest of huckleberries and the stories carried in each pattern and stitch. Committed to ensuring this cultural treasure does not fade, she shares her knowledge with future generations from the four bands of the Confederated Tribes of the Yakama Nation. By teaching others to weave, she preserves not only an endangered art, but also an essential part of Yakama culture and heritage—keeping alive the connections between people, land, and tradition for the generations yet to come.

Beyond Shakespeare – Wings Fall 2025

Heritage’s master’s program in literature elevates multicultural voices with a focus on Indigenous and Hispanic literature, sharing of lived experiences, and empowering students.

In the fall of 2024, students in a new Heritage University course called “Writing for Change: Advocacy and Civic Engagement” spent the semester delving into the issue of food sovereignty — the right of peoples to healthy, culturally appropriate food that is produced using sustainable, ecological methods.

By the end of the semester, they’d gained insight into the process of issue advocacy based on thoughtful, systematic research and study.

Guided by Ann Kendall, assistant professor of literature and languages, they also learned how to become part of the civic process through communication designed to get to the point and capture a reader’s attention.

Several students’ opinion pieces were published in the Yakima Herald-Republic — three of them written by students in a master’s program that’s been recently “retooled” — the Heritage’s Master of Arts in Multicultural English Literature and Language program. Their opinion pieces began with strong points of view:

“For the one person out of nine in our country who is considered to be food insecure, a trip to the grocery store is a luxury.” – Jackie Bell

“Imagine an indigenous community without diabetes. Can you? Probably not. However, this can be an attainable future by giving Native Americans food sovereignty.” – Josefa Zarco

“How many times a week, or say a day, do you consider those who are harvesting the produce in your fridge? Think hard about how they produce products and the moral and human rights of those who harvest, pick, and pack each individual fruit.” – Anjuli Barragan

Over the years, perhaps only a few of these master’s candidates will write for a living. But all of them will need to communicate effectively as part of their work.

VALUING “GIVE AND TAKE”

Professors in Heritage’s Multicultural Lit program don’t teach a traditional canon of English literature to their students. There’s no focus on the traditional Homer, Shakespeare or Milton. Its core courses have been curated specifically for the students who take them.

Classes such as Hispanic Literature, Native American Literature, Women’s Literature, Memoir Writing, and Writing for Change: Advocacy and Civic Engagement speak to the Heritage student population.

Jim Dugan

“We’re studying contemporary writing in literature, novels, short works and non-fiction, which is incredibly important in today’s world,” said James Dugan, chair of the Department of Literature and Languages.

“Virtually every literature selection reflects students’ lives and the lives of the people they know,” Dugan said. “They, in turn, bring their lived experience to the table, something that’s as important as what any professor has to teach.

”It creates an opportunity for people to actually be in community with other people whose narratives are represented in this literature.”

CHOOSING TEACHING FOCUS OR THESIS FOCUS

Most students come to the program already working in their communities. Their undergraduate degrees are in English, history, education and art. They are K-12 teachers, higher education instructors, professionals working for non-profit organizations, and people working in business.

“We specifically seek a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives, a cohort of learners that truly reflects the multicultural perspective of the program,” Kendall said.

Students select from two focuses: The Teaching Focus is for students already certified to teach in K-12 and interested in dual- enrollment programs or community college teaching. The Thesis Focus is for students most interested in pursuing Ph.D. or M.F.A. studies, community college or university-level teaching, and private/public sector opportunities.

“If you’re a teacher, we’ll help you figure out how to create lesson plans around, for example, the literature of Native American people from the area in which you teach,” Kendall said. “We’re also teaching how to find the literature you need, whether you’re back in the classroom or you need it on the job.”

“It definitely prepares someone who wants to teach,” Dugan said. “But people get the idea that if you study English, you’re going to become a teacher. That’s often not the case.

“The program is designed to help you navigate text, think critically about text, and communicate effectively with others, whatever your job.”

MASTER’S STUDIES MADE MORE ACCESSIBLE

Ann Kendall

Master’s students learn early on that Heritage is all about relationships, Kendall said, and students don’t have to be on campus to experience that. They can attend classes virtually or in person.

Virtual attendance makes it easier to add graduate school to full-time employment and family responsibilities, a necessity for many. The foundational, warm Heritage welcome and support, wherever needed, is present whether a student is on campus or attending class virtually.

“We’re high touch, even if students are remote,” Kendall said. “That isn’t always the case with a lot of universities.”

Heritage’s small class sizes and low student-to-instructor ratio make it possible for instructors to be present for students, who often have a lot to juggle in addition to their studies.

It’s something Kendall knows first-hand. As a non-profit executive for two decades, she’d always dreamed of being an English professor. She just needed her master’s.

“I lived in Seattle then and started looking around for something that would work with both parenthood and my full-time work schedule,” Kendall said. “I hit a brick wall.

“Then I found Heritage, and I said, ‘Well, this is completely different.’ I enrolled.

“Students don’t even have to leave home to be part of this program.”

DISSECTING THE LITERATURE TOGETHER

What takes place in these classes, said Dugan, “is that we’re really dissecting the literature together.

“Students have considerable lived experience. They’re not just coming in like sponges waiting to hear things. Our discussions are eye-opening, and they can be very humbling for me.”

Recently, a master’s student who is a full-time teacher shared what she calls her “mantra” with Dugan.

“She said, ‘If you’re working harder than your students, you’re doing it wrong,'” said Dugan. “That doesn’t happen at Heritage. Everyone is really involved in the conversation. We’re all learning, all the time.”