Dear CCA students, faculty, and staff,

Greetings! I have been looking forward to this day as it marks my first official day as the 10th president of CCA. I write to you with great enthusiasm for the journey ahead.  

I had the pleasure of meeting some of you during my visit in October. I again want to express my deep appreciation to all of you for extending such a warm welcome. From the campus-wide meet and greet to the Communities of Color gathering, I’m so glad I was able to pack so much in. It was thrilling to meet so many students, faculty, and staff. The vibrancy and buzz in the air were palpable, and I can’t wait to have more opportunities to engage with this incredible community.

There is great promise and possibility in the work we will do together, supported by a shared sense of purpose and ambition. The passion, energy, and creativity displayed by the students, faculty, and staff have been truly inspiring. I share the belief, much like you, that CCA, with its strong foundation, is well-prepared for the thrilling phase ahead. As we progress into a very exciting year for the college, I look forward to hearing directly from each of you as we shape what it means to be in community together during this momentous time for CCA.

I’m often asked what I hope to accomplish as president and what my priorities will be. First and foremost, it’s crucial for me to learn, listen, and reflect; to build relationships with you all and the greater San Francisco Bay Area community, and to understand our strengths and where we can continue to grow. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Presidential Transition Team for supporting me as I immerse myself to gain these insights. And, thank you all for your patience as I deepen my understanding of the CCA culture.

I also want to thank my predecessor, President Stephen Beal, for his dedication and leadership at the college, as well as Provost Tammy Rae Carland who has stepped in to serve as Acting President during this transition. It would be remiss of me not to personally acknowledge the support of the President’s Office, namely Adriana Lopez Lobovits, Director of the President’s Office, and Eduardo Guillen, Executive Assistant and Special Projects Coordinator. Thank you both for your work and continued support.

I am so excited to dive in and get started! If you have any questions, thoughts, or ideas that you’d like to share, I encourage you to connect with me via email at presidents-office@cca.edu. Whether you’re learning as a student, teaching as a faculty member, or working as a staff member.
I can’t wait to learn more about what CCA means to you and to hear your hopes for our shared future. Please also stay tuned, as we are organizing a campus-wide meeting in the new year, including the full community.

In the spirit of Lao Tzu's wisdom, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." Today, we collectively take that step. My hope is that our journey is not only meaningful and productive but also sprinkled with moments of pure joy. With anticipation and enthusiasm, together, we begin.

Thank you again, and please take care of yourselves.

Warmly,
President David C. Howse