College of the Redwoods Appoints Alumna Jasmine Rafferty to Board of Trustees

Published on Oct 7 2026

College of the Redwoods appointed CR alumna and social worker Jasmine Marie Rafferty to the Redwoods Community College District Board of Trustees at its special meeting on Saturday, October 3, 2026. Rafferty will represent Trustee Area 5.

Rafferty brings experience in social work, student advocacy and community services, along with a personal understanding of the role community colleges play in expanding educational opportunity. She earned an associate degree in behavioral and social science at CR before continuing her education at Humboldt State University, now Cal Poly Humboldt, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in social work. Her education also includes a master’s degree in social work.

“Jasmine Rafferty has a passionate belief in the transformative power of education that inspires her commitment to serve as a trustee for College of the Redwoods,” says Board President Carol Mathews. “She will bring a valuable perspective to the Board.”

Rafferty currently serves as an associate therapist with Six Rivers Wellness and an outreach coordinator for Connections Reentry Program. Her previous work includes positions with Redwood Coast Regional Center, the Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation, Yurok Wellness Court and Waterfront Recovery. Across these roles, she has helped individuals and families access housing, healthcare, employment resources and other services.

In her application, Rafferty credited CR’s CARE, EOPS and LIGHT Center programs, along with dedicated counselors, with helping her find a path through higher education. She identified educational access, student support, responsible stewardship of public resources and strong community relationships as priorities for her service.

“Jasmine’s journey reflects the experiences of so many of our students, said CR President Dr. Keith Flamer. “She will be a great representative for them on the board, reflecting their needs and challenges but also what is possible with help and advocacy. Her firsthand understanding of our students will make her a strong champion for their success.”

“I am incredibly honored and grateful for this opportunity. As a first-generation college student and single mother who has navigated significant barriers, I know firsthand how transformative education, opportunity, and a supportive community can be to personal and collective healing,” says Trustee Rafferty. “CR was an incredibly pivotal part of my own journey toward discovering my voice, my strength, and my potential, and ultimately teaching me how to transform adversity into purpose. To now return to this campus and serve the very community that once invested in me feels like a truly full-circle moment.”

As a trustee, Rafferty will work with fellow Board members to establish policy, provide fiscal oversight and guide the District’s long-term direction in support of student success and the communities CR serves.