CR’s September 4, 2026 Times Standard Article: Committed to Moving Forward Together

Published on Sep 2 2026

I am excited that a new academic year has begun, and faculty and students are back revitalized and ready for what promises to be a pivotal year for College of the Redwoods. I am looking forward to this year with confidence in my colleagues’ ability to create meaningful intellectual and interpersonal connections with our students and each other. Moreover, I know that they will draw inspiration from each other and strength from the critical independent thought that defines our college community. 

I am pleased to share that we will see that much of the work the faculty and staff have pursued together in the past is either coming to fruition or will continue to move forward. 

New buildings will come online as will several new healthcare academic programs. Our new physical education and fieldhouse buildings are well on their way to completion, and we will soon break ground on the new state-of-the-art residential halls this year, as well as phase II of our community stadium upgrade. This year will also see changes on our Del Norte Campus with the renovation of the main building, construction of the new healthcare education center, and the demolition of the old, damaged, campus structures.

The initiative to improve access to healthcare in our region in collaboration with local healthcare leaders and Cal Poly Humboldt will remain critically important for CR. As promised, we will increase our nursing capacity to beyond 100 students and operationalize four new healthcare pathways this year. We will enroll our first cohort of students for the Psychiatric Technician program in January 2027. The Respiratory Care, Surgical Technology, and Healthcare Navigator programs will see their first cohorts beginning Fall 2027. At the same time, construction of the joint College of the Redwoods/Cal Poly Humboldt Healthcare Education Hub in Arcata is continuing.

While we can take pride in our collective accomplishments, we also know that, just as in years past, we will face significant challenges that will test our resilience and resolve. 

As artificial intelligence rapidly proliferates throughout higher education, we know that it presents a combination of opportunities and complex challenges for us. Under the capable leadership of Dr. Rebecca Robertson and Dr. Tatam Loso, the college community will continue to engage in discussions on how we will respond to the effects of artificial intelligence on teaching, learning, privacy, equity, accessibility, and institutional operations. 

At a time when ideological differences and political beliefs have sown division, CR will remain an institution that will welcome diverse viewpoints and inspire discourse and engagement. College of the Redwoods will remain a place where we can discuss and debate ideas with respect and curiosity, and where we listen with the goal of truly understanding each other’s perspectives, especially when we do not share them. As president I have had the opportunity to see firsthand that this outstanding college community draws strength from its critical and independent thought.

That independent thought will be needed as we implement critical strategic initiatives and priorities that will strengthen CR and improve the experience of working and learning here. Additionally, we must remain committed to engaging in critical conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion and providing meaningful opportunities for civic engagement.

As I walked around the Eureka Campus in the first week of classes, greeting as many students as I could, I was reminded of a quote attributed to Aristotle that I believe sums up why CR matters - “the fate of empires depends on the education of youth.” Higher education is instrumental in building civilizations, changing societal norms, and communicating culture across generations.

I believe that this is a wonderfully exciting time in the life of our college. In January, we will welcome a new president. This is a moment of transition; but it is also a time that we will re-commit to our core mission and responsibility – to educate the next generation of citizens and leaders. I am profoundly grateful to my college colleagues for their contributions and extraordinary dedication to our students and our community. 

We know that the fate of our democracy and our nation is dependent on our ability to instill in our students the fundamental skill of critical thinking. A skill that will enable our students to make informed decisions, address complex and ever-changing problems, and make the necessary changes to respond to evolving challenges as a community and as a nation.

Throughout our history we have pulled together to solve serious problems and crises. In every instance, we came away stronger than before. I am deeply honored to be a part of such a great and talented community.