College of the Redwoods Ends Presidential Search Without Appointment: Three Finalists Considered, Keith Flamer to Continue
College of the Redwoods presidential search 2026: The Redwoods Community College District Board of Trustees announced on September 15, 2026, that it had concluded its search for the next President/Superintendent without selecting a candidate.
The decision followed a nationwide search and campus visits by three finalists. The candidates participated in public forums, meetings with college groups and interviews with the Board of Trustees between September 8 and September 11.
The board says current President/Superintendent Dr. Keith Flamer will continue serving while it determines the next steps and timeline for the leadership search.
The board has offered to extend Flamer's contract through June 30, 2027, subject to the applicable approval process. Students and employees should distinguish that proposed extension from a completed appointment of a new president.
College of the Redwoods Leadership Update: Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Institution | College of the Redwoods |
| District | Redwoods Community College District |
| Location | Northern California, United States |
| Announcement date | September 15, 2026 |
| Search outcome | Concluded without an appointment |
| Finalists considered | Three |
| Finalist campus visits | September 8–11, 2026 |
| Current president | Dr. Keith Flamer |
| Proposed contract extension | Through June 30, 2027 |
| Next search timeline | To be determined |
What Did the Board Announce?
The Board of Trustees announced that it would not appoint any of the finalists considered during the current search.
The board thanked the candidates, search committee, employees, students and community members who participated in the process.
Board President Carol Mathews said the trustees had decided to conclude the search without making an appointment after considering the finalists.
The board has not announced a new president or a confirmed date for restarting the search.
Who Were the Three Finalists?
The college identified three candidates who advanced to the final stage.
| Finalist | Role Identified During Search |
|---|---|
| Dr. Mark C. Fields | Vice President of Academic Affairs, College of the Siskiyous |
| Dr. Thad Russell | Vice President of Instruction, Porterville College |
| Dr. David Williams | Presidential search finalist |
The board did not select any of the three. The announcement does not establish that any finalist withdrew or was disqualified.
College of the Redwoods Presidential Search Timeline
| Date | Development |
|---|---|
| Early 2026 | District initiated the leadership search and sought community input |
| March 9, 2026 | Application period began |
| April 17, 2026 | First review date |
| June 15–17, 2026 | First-level interviews |
| August 12, 2026 | College publicly announced three finalists |
| September 8–11, 2026 | Finalist visits, forums and interviews |
| September 15, 2026 | Board announced the search had ended without an appointment |
Why Did the Search End Without an Appointment?
The board stated that it had carefully considered the finalists and determined that concluding the current process without an appointment was in the college's interest.
It did not provide a detailed public assessment of the individual candidates in the announcement.
Students and employees should not infer unannounced reasons or attribute the decision to a particular candidate's qualifications without evidence.
Who Is Leading the College Now?
Dr. Keith Flamer remains the President/Superintendent.
The board has offered to extend his contract through June 30, 2027, while trustees determine the next steps in the search.
The proposed extension requires consideration through the board's approval process.
What Happens to the Original Transition Schedule?
The search had initially anticipated selecting a president in September and beginning the new leader's employment in December 2026.
Because no appointment was made, that original transition schedule no longer describes a confirmed leadership change.
The college says it will share additional information when the next steps become available.
What Does a Community College President Do?
A President/Superintendent serves as the institution's chief executive and educational leader.
Responsibilities commonly include implementing board policy, overseeing institutional planning, managing resources and supporting academic and student-service operations.
At College of the Redwoods, the position also involves working with communities across a geographically broad district.
College of the Redwoods Locations
| Location | Role |
|---|---|
| Eureka | Main campus |
| Crescent City | Del Norte Education Center |
| Hoopa | Klamath-Trinity instructional site |
| Downtown Eureka and community locations | Additional education and community programs |
The district serves communities in Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity counties.
How Were Students and Community Members Involved?
The college sought input through town halls and an online survey during the search.
Community feedback helped inform the position profile used for recruitment.
Finalists also participated in public candidate forums, allowing students, employees and community members to learn about the candidates and provide feedback.
What Is a Presidential Search Committee?
A search committee helps organize and evaluate candidates according to an institution's established process.
Its responsibilities may include reviewing applications, participating in interviews and providing information to the governing board.
The final appointment decision rests with the authorized governing body under the applicable institutional procedures.
Does the Decision Affect Current Students?
The announcement concerns institutional leadership.
It does not announce a cancellation of classes, changes to degree requirements or the suspension of student services.
Students should rely on separate official notices for any academic or operational changes.
What Should Employees and Students Monitor?
- Announcements about the next search timeline.
- Board consideration of the proposed contract extension.
- Any new recruitment or application schedule.
- Future opportunities for community participation.
- Official information about leadership transition arrangements.
Could the Search Restart?
The board says it remains committed to identifying the next President/Superintendent and will determine the next steps and timeline.
It has not confirmed whether a future process will use the same candidate pool, begin an entirely new recruitment or follow another approach.
Those details should not be presented as settled until the board announces them.
What Is the Difference Between a Finalist and an Appointed President?
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Applicant | Person seeking consideration |
| Finalist | Candidate advanced to a late stage of the search |
| Selected candidate | Person chosen subject to applicable procedures |
| Appointed president | Person formally appointed through the required process |
None of the three finalists was appointed through the concluded search.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Has College of the Redwoods selected a new president?
No. The board ended the current search without an appointment.
2. When was the decision announced?
September 15, 2026.
3. How many finalists were considered?
Three.
4. Who were the finalists?
Dr. Mark C. Fields, Dr. Thad Russell and Dr. David Williams.
5. When did the finalists visit campus?
September 8–11, 2026.
6. Who remains president?
Dr. Keith Flamer.
7. How long might Flamer continue?
The board has offered to extend his contract through June 30, 2027, subject to approval.
8. Has a new search date been announced?
No confirmed new timeline was included in the September 15 announcement.
9. Does the decision cancel academic programs?
The leadership announcement does not announce any such cancellation.
10. Where should the college community look for updates?
Official district announcements and Board of Trustees communications provide the relevant updates.
What Happens Next?
College of the Redwoods will continue under Dr. Keith Flamer's leadership while the Board of Trustees determines its next steps.
The board has not appointed a successor or confirmed a new search schedule. Students, employees and community members should monitor official announcements for information about the proposed contract extension and any renewed recruitment process.