Many of us find ourselves right now doing a lot of thinking about the recent tragic events in Minnesota, Louisiana, and Dallas. Just this morning CNN ran a story that Baton Rouge police arrested three people that were planning to kill police.

Renee Saucedo, Angelina Hill, Lee Lindsey, Wendy Bates, Marty Coelho, and I sent an email to the all CR employees asking that all of us honor the lives that have been lost by renewing our individual commitment to develop meaningful ways to confront inequity and injustice that threaten the well-being of our fellow Americans and the health of our nation and college.  It is very clear that we cannot wait for our national leaders to address these problems.  The Board of Trustees has asked each one of us to commit to doing these things now, today, tomorrow, and during all the days that follow to improve diversity and inclusion at College of the Redwoods.

We have very important work to do together.  It is important that we not give up.  Angelina Hill put it well when she wrote recently that we must honor the lives that have been lost by renewing our individual commitment to develop meaningful ways to confront the real problems that threaten the well-being of our fellow Americans and the health of our nation.

As educators and people of conscience we know that our students play a critical role in addressing the serious problems we face and we must deepen our dedication to helping them develop the skills and values necessary for this important task.   As a community, we believe that our students truly are our future and preparing them to make positive contribution to our country and the world is a sacred and solemn responsibility—one that we shoulder with pride and commitment.