Improving Access to Higher Education on the North Coast

College of the Redwoods and Cal Poly Humboldt are building on a long-standing partnership to help CR students achieve their college dreams and make that path seamless for CR students who transfer to Humboldt.

Connected by a shared purpose and deep commitment to the North Coast, both institutions educate many of the same students and share thousands of alumni. This collaboration reflects the commitment to providing positive, meaningful educational experiences grounded by the tight-knit and vibrant community of the North Coast.

Together, we will help our students and communities flourish.

Humboldt President Tom Jackson, Jr. and CR President Keith Flamer

In the Fall of 2019, College of the Redwoods and Cal Poly Humboldt held a historic summit leading to a Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement establishes a formal collaboration on joint academic programs, admissions, intercollegiate athletics, University housing, and campus safety, and a commitment to discuss additional partnership and/or collaboration opportunities.

Presidents Keith Flamer and Tom Jackson wholeheartedly support this unique educational partnership because they believe it will translate into positive student outcomes, while bringing prosperity to the region.

2,500shared graduates on the North Coast

1,800 CR students transferred to Humboldt since 2010-11

1,580CR transfers graduated from Humboldt since 2010-11

1 RN-to-BSN nursing program at Humboldt, created with the help of CR and other partners.

Articles & Reports

College Matters | Five lessons from Talk Humboldt radio show By DR. TOM JACKSON JR.
College Matters | CR works to address local health care needs By DR. KEITH FLAMER
College Matters | Value of nursing education highlighted in personal experience By DR. KEITH FLAMER
College Matters | When summer sets up the next year By DR. TOM JACKSON JR.
College Matters | Cal Poly Humboldt celebrates academic expansion By DR. TOM JACKSON JR. and DR. JENN CAPPS

Download HSU/CR Zoom backgrounds

Initiatives (ongoing and in-progress)

Academics

Launched the first cohort of the RN-BSN Nursing program
Created three new CR degree pathways that will prepare CR students in Social Justice, Environmental Science, and Social Work & Human Services to attend Humboldt and other four-year schools
Creating a process for transferring units from CR's upcoming aquaculture program

Enrollment Management

Created an HSU+ Transfer model that includes a focus on transition success prior to matriculation and free transcripts
Developing Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) advising, as well as separate advising for Humboldt where Humboldt degree requirements don't match state ADT requirements

Community Partnerships & Athletics

Hosted an Esports tournament with CR and HSU students

Student Services

Supporting formerly incarcerated students in the community through Project Rebound at Humboldt and CR’s Pelican Bay Scholars Program
Developing a mentorship agreement for transfer students through Humboldt’s Social Justice, Equity & Inclusion Center and CR’s Multicultural Center
Coordinating pharmacy services for students across both institutions
Granting CR students and employees free access to books and access other resources at HSU’s Library

Facilities, Safety & Human Resources

Hosting a joint Active Shooter Training
Exploring the potential to share Humboldt’s physical resources, such as science laboratories and campus housing, with CR students
Sourcing and increasing combined purchasing power
Collaborating on safety of students, staff, faculty, and community in our COVID-19 protocols

CR graduates

"The partnership that CR and Humboldt is developing is extremely rare in higher education. The reality is, because we are a small, rural, and somewhat remote community, our institutions have always been interconnected. We share students, faculty and staff. The question is, how can we better integrate our programs and operations to take advantage of shared resources and create a better experience for local students?” President Keith Flamer

Areas of Opportunity

Exploring joint grant opportunities
Engaging industry partners to align curriculum with workforce needs
Better engaging Indigenous Tribes in developing pathways between CR and Humboldt
Combining career centers
Creating joint professional development opportunities for faculty and staff
Creating a joint admissions process
Leveraging joint purchasing power
Linking CR and Humboldt Emergency Operations Centers
Creating reciprocal agreements that utilize both campuses for classes
Hosting joint sporting and other events
Establishing a CR/Humboldt alumni organizations

“Thanks to Dr. Flamer’s leadership, we have an incredible opportunity to improve the transfer experience for students from the moment they enroll at College of the Redwoods to the day they earn their four-year degree at Cal Poly Humboldt." President Tom Jackson, Jr.