Dear Pomona College Community,
The Pomona College Board of Trustees met virtually for its last meeting of the Fall semester on December 12. Below is a summary of the Board’s actions and discussions from that meeting.
The December meeting traditionally focuses on routine governance and academic business, and this year was no exception. A central highlight was the Board’s unanimous approval of faculty promotions, tenure awards, and contract renewals, effective July 1, 2026. Please join me in celebrating the outstanding achievements of our colleagues:
Tenure and promotion to associate professor
- Ellie Anderson, associate professor of philosophy
- Ryan Engley, associate professor of media studies
- Sara Sadhwani, associate professor of politics
- Megan Zirnstein, associate professor of linguistics and cognitive science
Four-year reappointment
- Gary Champi, assistant professor of dance
- Rebecca DiPucchio, assistant professor of chemistry
- Kaley McCluskey, assistant professor of physics and astronomy
- Thomas Muzart, assistant professor of romance languages and literatures
- Keri Wilson, assistant professor of biology
- Yanshuo Zhang, assistant professor of Asian languages and literatures
Additionally, the Board approved 31 faculty leaves for the 2026–27 academic year. These leaves will support a wide range of scholarly, creative, and collaborative work, including book projects, laboratory and field research, artistic production, and international partnerships. Planned work spans topics such as applied algebraic topology, Antarctic ecology and bird migration, neuroscience and Alzheimer’s research, Black feminist humor and confessional practices, immigrant labor organizing, climate adaptation, Roman and contemporary literature, translation in music, theatre and community-based storytelling, and the integration of AI with traditional printmaking. Trustees recognized the essential role these leaves play in sustaining Pomona’s academic excellence, supporting innovation across disciplines, and enriching the classroom upon faculty members’ return.
The Board also approved a slate of future honorary degree recipients to recognize exceptional individuals whose achievements reflect Pomona College’s values. The President’s Office will share information about Commencement and the May 2026 honorary degree recipients later in the spring.
Finally, the Board held a substantial strategic discussion regarding a proposed partnership with Claremont Graduate University (CGU). Trustees heard an update from the trustee-faculty working group on its due diligence and the proposed framework for a potential partnership, and the Board authorized the College to sign a non-binding Letter of Intent that allows it to continue negotiations while seeking broader community input.
Looking ahead, the Board will reconvene in March in conjunction with the Trustee-Faculty Retreat, and I will provide another update to the College community following that meeting. As always, I welcome your questions or thoughts about the Board’s work.
Thank you for your continued engagement with Pomona College. I hope you enjoyed a restful winter break.
Thank you,
Geoff
Geoff Pearson
Secretary to the Board of Trustees
Director of Board Engagement