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CR’s January 10, 2025, Times Standard Article – Trustee Appointments

Jan 7 2025

I often tell people that serving as President of College of the Redwoods is one of the best jobs I have ever been called to do. I have the opportunity to see students grow, learn, and realize their dreams. I have the good fortune to collaborate with the most brilliant and talented faculty, staff, and administrators in the California community college system. And I have the chance to work with committed local leaders who are interested in creating resilient, caring, and more equitable communities. 

I also consider collaborating closely with elected trustees – whose sole mission is to make the institution better and advocate for their constituents’ interests on the governing board – as one of the most rewarding experiences I have had in my tenure as CR’s President. Our trustees have proven themselves to be consummate professionals who bring expertise, engagement, and thoughtful partnership to the Board of Trustees. I appreciate working with a high-functioning governing body, where it never feels like I am flying solo. To me, leading College of the Redwoods is like piloting a twin-engine jet—with our trustees serving as my co-pilots. This is a sentiment not often felt by my fellow community college presidents. 

While it has been a privilege to work with such dedicated professionals, change is inevitable, and we recently had two trustees resign from our Board of Trustees. I want to thank the outgoing trustees for their guidance and unwavering commitment to this wonderful institution. They were exemplary board members, and their invaluable efforts truly made a meaningful difference.

Their absence creates an important need to fill these vacancies, and in response, the Board has implemented the appointment process and is now actively accepting applications from individuals who are committed to serving our community and guiding the future of College of the Redwoods. 

With the political fireworks on the horizon, why should anyone care about serving on a local community college governing board? College of the Redwoods was founded to educate future leaders, who would, in turn, help to build and strengthen their communities. Our trustees make and support tough policy decisions that may not please everyone, often navigating challenges unique to higher education. New economic and societal pressures will force us to revitalize or governing board to address emerging challenges. The two new trustees will have an opportunity to collaborate with their fellow trustees to help shape CR’s future and meet these challenges head-on.

Serving on the Board is a unique position within the college. The trustees must balance the interests of all constituencies while maintaining impartiality and act in the best interest of the College as a whole, not beholden to any institutional or community group. Their responsibilities are significant - charged with maintaining the fiscal health and stability of CR, ensuring educational quality, and protecting the College from undue influence, political pressure, or special interests. 

CR’s trustees are also called on to maintain the quality, integrity, and improvement of student learning programs and services, and to make sure that we have the resources necessary to support them. They ensure that we create a positive climate for effective leadership by supporting institutional leaders, and that the college models integrity, vision, and ethical behavior for our students and others. The trustees govern the College on behalf of the community, setting the “vision” for the college and the “ends” to be achieved. The "means" or methods used to achieve the ends are delegated to the President. The Board focuses on policymaking and upholds the President’s authority to lead without interference.

As you can see, serving on the Board of Trustees at College of the Redwoods is a big and important job, and we need leaders who are willing and able to rise to the challenge. I have extraordinary hope for the future of CR and our broader community. This optimism stems from the Board’s commitment to maintaining their policymaking role and guiding the College with, leadership, innovation, and enthusiasm without overstepping.

I look forward to announcing the appointment of the two new trustees and the continued progress they will help us achieve.