The College of the Redwoods Foundation has announced the launch of the Keith Flamer Legacy Campaign, a new initiative honoring the leadership and lasting contributions of President and Superintendent Dr. Keith Flamer, who will retire at the end of 2026 after more than 11 years as president and over 20 years of service to the college and the region.
The campaign was formally introduced at the April 7 meeting of the college’s Board of Trustees and will run over the coming year, inviting businesses, organizations, and community members to invest in programs that expand opportunities for students and strengthen the regional workforce.
The campaign supports three priority areas established under Dr. Flamer’s leadership: the expansion of healthcare education programs, the growth of athletic opportunities for student-athletes, and the Redwoods Room and Board Scholarship Program.
“President Flamer has led our college with vision and compassion, expanding healthcare programs that strengthen our workforce, growing our athletics offerings to enrich student life, and championing a groundbreaking scholarship program that provides housing and meals for students facing housing insecurity and homelessness. These initiatives have had a profound impact on our communities here on the North Coast,” said Carol Mathews, president of the CR Board of Trustees.
The campaign will support the expansion of College of the Redwoods’ healthcare education programs, including five new pathways: Healthcare Navigator, Psychiatric Technician, Surgical Technician, Radiologic Technician, and Respiratory Technician. These programs are designed to build a pipeline of skilled professionals for local hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities. The investment required to bring these programs to scale exceeds $750,000 over the next three years and reflects the college’s commitment to meeting critical regional workforce needs.
The campaign also supports the continued expansion of CR’s athletics program, which now includes 16 teams and more than 315 student-athletes. Approximately half of these students come from Humboldt, Del Norte, and Trinity counties, and student-athletes graduate at higher rates than the general student population. Athletics at CR plays a key role in building leadership, discipline, and pathways to transfer and career success.
In addition, the campaign will grow the Redwoods Room and Board Scholarship Program, an initiative launched under Dr. Flamer’s leadership that made College of the Redwoods one of the first colleges in the nation to offer housing and meal scholarships specifically for students experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. The program is designed to ensure students can focus on their education while receiving the support needed to transition to stable housing.
“Our community has always been at the heart of College of the Redwoods’ success, and President Flamer has exemplified that connection throughout his leadership,” said Jason Ramos, president of the CR Foundation Board of Directors. “His commitment to expanding opportunities for our students has not only transformed lives but also strengthened our local economy. I encourage everyone who can support this campaign to join us in carrying forward the important work he so passionately championed.
The campaign will conclude on November 13 at a celebration dinner for President Flamer, to be held at the Sequoia Conference Center in Eureka.
Contributions can be made online at www.redwoods.edu/Flamer-Legacy or mailed to the College of the Redwoods Foundation, 527 D Street, Eureka, CA 95501.
For more information, contact Marty Coelho, executive director of College Advancement and the CR Foundation, at marty-coelho@redwoods.edu or 707-476-4325.