Press release from College of the Redwoods:

College of the Redwoods President Dr. Keith Flamer has announced that 2026 will be his final year leading the College. He has formally notified the Board of Trustees of his intent to conclude his service at the end of his current contract on December 31, 2026. The Board will formally acknowledge his notice at its meeting next week.

The Board of Trustees and Dr. Flamer have been working collaboratively for several months to update board policies and administrative procedures related to the presidential search. The Board will begin a formal search for the College’s next president early in the Spring 2026 semester. The process is expected to be thoughtful, transparent, and inclusive.

Board President Colleen Mullery noted that “leadership requires trust, courage, commitment, vision, and the ability to bring disparate groups together to work toward a common goal,” adding that College of the Redwoods “has been blessed with the leadership provided by Dr. Keith Flamer during his tenure as President. While higher education has experienced unprecedented turbulence, he has remained steadfast in his unflinching support for CR students, faculty, staff, and the community. 

Dr. Flamer joined College of the Redwoods in July 2006 and has served the institution for nearly two decades, first as Vice President of Student Services, then Vice President of Student Services and Instruction, and for the past ten years as President. While the decision was difficult, he stated that the College is well positioned for a leadership transition.

Under Dr. Flamer’s leadership, the College resolved significant accreditation and financial challenges, strengthened community partnerships, expanded distance education infrastructure, improved employee compensation, and fully recovered enrollment lost during the pandemic. The College is now positioned to surpass enrollment targets and grow general fund revenue. Significant investments have also been made in faculty and in healthcare and career education programs.

Major facilities projects undertaken during his tenure include the Creative Arts Complex, community stadium renovation, and the new PE Complex and Fieldhouse. Upcoming projects include affordable student housing on the Eureka Campus, the Del Norte Healthcare Education Training Center and renovation, and the joint Cal Poly Humboldt/CR Healthcare Education Hub.

“None of this progress would have been possible without the dedication of our faculty, staff, students, administrators, the Board of Trustees, and our community partners,” Dr. Flamer said. “It has been the honor of my career to serve College of the Redwoods.”

Dr. Flamer will remain fully engaged as President through the end of his contract and will continue advancing the College’s priorities while supporting a smooth leadership transition.