Dear CCA Community,

As I step into my first fall semester as President, I’m filled with a deep sense of gratitude for the privilege of serving this vibrant and dynamic community. It has been truly special to participate in the many Welcome Week events and to witness our students, faculty, and staff coming together to breathe life into our campus. Whether you’re returning or joining us for the first time, I want to extend a warm welcome. This year holds tremendous promise and opportunity, and I’m excited to see what we will accomplish together.

Over the summer, we’ve made remarkable progress that I’m thrilled to share with you. Most notably, we’ve completed the move into our new building, which is now open for the entire community to activate, create new experiences, and establish lasting traditions. This space represents a new chapter for CCA, and I encourage you to explore it and truly make it your own. To the teams that have worked tirelessly—not just this summer, but over the past several years—to bring us to this day, I  offer my sincere thanks. On October 19, we’ll be holding the Making Futures Opening Celebrations. Please save the date and join us for what promises to be an inspiring day of art and community.

As we embark on this academic year, we are called to rise to the occasion: to lean fully into our curiosity; to honor our differences; and engage in open dialogue, and recognize that every voice deserves to be heard, even when we disagree. Our diverse perspectives, experiences, and values come together to form a rich tapestry, where each thread—whether you are a student, faculty, staff, or alum—adds unique color and texture to our collective work. This diversity is not only our strength but also the foundation upon which true creativity and innovation thrive. And as Maya Angelou wisely reminded us, "We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike." This truth undergirds our shared humanity and the respect and dignity we owe one another.

In the spirit of truth, perhaps you have heard about the financial challenges at CCA. While these are not insignificant, they are also not insurmountable—and CCA’s leadership team, with the support of our Board of Trustees, is laser-focused on navigating these challenges and building on the incredible work by our students, faculty, and staff that defines CCA. Our focus remains on securing a strong future for both you and CCA, and I’m committed to working with you to achieve that goal.

This evening, I hope to see many of you at the opening reception for the new exhibition Potrero Hill Perspectives held at our Campus Gallery. And finally, I invite everyone to join our All Community Assembly tomorrow, August 29 at 11 am in The Nave. This gathering is an excellent opportunity for staff, faculty, and students to come together in person as we mark the start of the semester. Let’s use this time to connect, share our hopes for the year, and set the tone for all that lies ahead.

Here’s to the new year! Let’s make this a year of growth, creativity, and connection, working collectively to achieve great things for our community.

We begin…

President Howse