In a swift and unanimous decision during a special meeting Monday night, the Lower Columbia College (LCC) Board of Trustees voted to terminate President Dr. Matt Seimears, effective immediately. The move ends Seimears’ contract just two years after he began his tenure at the Longview community college in January 2024.

In a message sent to faculty, staff, and students, Board Chair Marc Silva described the move as a termination for “convenience,” a clause that allows the board to sever an employment contract without establishing cause or fault. The board has provided no further public explanation for the decision, citing confidentiality surrounding personnel matters.

Earlier this month, Dr. Seimears had been placed on administrative leave pending review of what was described by the board only as a “personnel matter.” That action led to widespread speculation across campus and within the community about the stability of LCC’s leadership and the direction of the school’s governance. The lack of transparency has raised questions among college staff and observers about the decision-making process within the institution.

Following Seimears’ removal, Vice President of Instruction Kristen Finnell has been appointed interim president. Finnell is well known on campus for her focus on workforce education and student access, and her appointment will likely be an effort to maintain continuity and stability as the board begins a search for a permanent replacement.

The firing marks another chapter in a pattern seen across Washington’s community college system, where boards have increasingly used “termination for convenience” clauses to avoid costly and potentially public disputes with administrators. Observers note that while such clauses are legally permissible, their use often stifles transparency and accountability in publicly funded institutions. For a college like LCC — a cornerstone of opportunity in Cowlitz County — the community deserves clarity about leadership decisions that affect access, equity, and trust in public education.

At a time when LCC continues to struggle with enrollment recovery, labor stability, and the cost of living crisis affecting its students, the leadership transition will have real consequences for the local workforce pipelines and educational initiatives anchored in the Longview–Kelso region. Whether the board chooses to engage openly with its community in the weeks ahead may determine not only the college’s public reputation but also the trust of those it serves.

Board members have not announced when a formal search for a new president will begin. Updates are expected following the next scheduled board meeting.

Sources:
Lower Columbia College Board of Trustees statement to campus community, January 26, 2026