As College of the Redwoods marks the end of another academic year, I want to thank all members of the college community and the public and recognize some of the wonderful things we have accomplished together to make College of the Redwoods a great place to work and study. 

Last week we conferred 685 degrees and 130 certificates on 587 graduates across our Del Norte and Eureka Campuses, the Klamath-Trinity Instructional Site, and at the Pelican Bay State Prison. Congratulations to our graduates and good luck. I am confident that they are well prepared for the next stage of their journey.

I am proud that we have made significant progress toward meeting our Mission and the goals of our Education Master Plan. We hired three new faculty members in mission critical disciplines—Paula Amis, Assistant Professor of Nursing Science/Clinical Practice, Carolyn Perkins, Assistant Professor of Social Work and Human Services, and Sean Robertson, Assistant Professor of Fire Technology. Next year, we expect to hire five tenure-track faculty positions in Music, Nursing, Foreign Language, Biology, and Kinesiology on the Eureka Campus, as well as positions in Nursing and Counseling for our Del Norte/Pelican Bay Campus.

To support our local healthcare workforce needs, we made the decision to add several new healthcare related degrees to our curriculum inventory. We intend to create Associate of Science degrees in Radiology Technology and Surgical Technology, a certificate in Psychiatric Technology, and Associate of Arts degrees in Healthcare Navigation, Respiratory Care, and Personal Wellness.

We have moved closer to realizing our vision to support our community and our student-athletes by providing high quality, state-of- the art athletics facilities. Thanks to the leadership and vision of Bear River Rancheria Chairwoman Josefina Frank and the Tribal Council, Bear River and CR signed an MOU that memorializes our shared commitment to make the Rancheria the home field for our NCAA baseball and softball teams. A few weeks ago, Wahlund Construction began work on the new Community Stadium on the Eureka Campus that includes an all-weather football/soccer field and we are moving closer to soliciting bids to construct our new Physical Education and Fieldhouse buildings.

Our Foundation provided funding opportunities for faculty, staff, students, and members of the community to create innovative projects that support the Education Master Plan through the Presidential Innovation Fund Grant Program. As an example, we awarded funds to Professor Valerie Elder to support a peer reviewed carbon offset project of CR’s forest. Under the direction of Professor Karen Reiss, CR students will catalog CR’s Natural History Collection of over 8,000 specimens, allowing local schools access to the important collection. Professor Shannon Sullivan received money for the restoration and relocation of renowned Karuk artist Brian Tripp’s Stand our Ground Next Time artwork from the old Creative Arts building area to the new one. Gustavo Vasquez, a staff member, was awarded funds to develop a makerspace on our Del Norte campus for both students and community members, and we funded a partnership between the True North Organizing Network and CR’s Multicultural Center to pilot a yearlong student success mentorship program with 7^th – 12^th graders.

Thank you to every member of the college and the local community for supporting our students. As we finish another eventful and successful school year, I wish you and your families well in these summer months. I hope you have the opportunity to embrace a little bit slower pace and enjoy this wonderful place we call home.