This year, two esteemed College of the Redwoods colleagues achieved a major milestone in their careers as educators. We’d like to congratulate Chris Lancaster, Communications, and Maria Morrow, Biology, for earning tenure.

This is an impressive accomplishment, as CR is dedicated to appointing faculty who exhibit knowledge, ability, enthusiasm, and commitment to education and to students. Faculty undergo a rigorous and demanding tenure review process in their first three years with the district that includes student and peer evaluations.

Tenure is a mutually beneficial to both the College and faculty. For faculty, tenure safeguards their academic freedom, which is necessary for all who teach in higher education and ensures that faculty can only be terminated for a justifiable cause or under extreme circumstances, such as program discontinuation or severe financial challenge for the district.

For the College, tenure promotes stability. Faculty members who are committed to the institution can develop ties with the local community and their colleagues, pursue ongoing projects, and mentor students over the long term.

We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with Professors Lancaster and Morrow and are confident that their tenure will bring innovation and excellence to the CR community.

Photos: Maria Morrow, Chris Lancaster.