Dear Pomona College Community,
The Pomona College Board of Trustees convened for its fall meeting Thursday, October 9 through Saturday, October 11. Under the leadership of Board Chair Janet Inskeep Benton ’79, trustees gathered to discuss strategic priorities and the College’s continued momentum across key areas of academic and institutional life. This year, the fall meeting unfortunately coincided with fall break because of scheduling constraints but will return to its normal schedule next year.
Meetings began on Thursday, October 9, with a New Trustee Orientation welcoming the newest members of the Board, Paul Ghaffari ’80 and Evelyn Nussenbaum ’84, as well as ex-officio trustee Jack Storrs ’19, who begins his two-year commitment as National Chair for Annual Giving. Committee meetings followed Thursday afternoon, and the evening concluded with a Trustee-Student Dinner in Smith Campus Center. More than 70 students and trustees attended the event, which centered on the theme of developing a global mindset and explored how a Pomona education fosters global perspectives and engagement across disciplines and careers.
On Friday morning, trustees reconvened for meetings of the Finance, Educational Quality, Advancement, and Facilities & Environment Committees, which reviewed ongoing work across the College’s operations and programs. Most Board committees include student and faculty representatives who serve as full voting members, bringing valuable perspectives to the Board’s work. For 2025–2026, committee representatives are as follows: on the Advancement Committee, Erica Dobbs (faculty) and Marilyne Makendi (student); on the Educational Quality Committee, Claudio Castillo and Lexi Duffy (students) and Dan O’Leary (faculty); on the Facilities & Environment Committee, Hans Ridnisbacher (faculty) and Sydney Tai (student); on the Finance Committee, Jesse Chippindale and Korey Wells (students) and Ben Keim (faculty); on the Honorary Degrees Committee, Lisa Auerbach, JoAnne Ferguson, and Ben Keim (faculty) and Marilyne Makendi and Oli Rizvi (students); and on the Student Affairs Committee, Grace Zheng (student vice-chair), Sarah Russo (student), and Dwight Whitaker (faculty).
The full Board meeting opened Friday afternoon with reports and updates on major College priorities, including planning for the 2026 Trustee-Faculty Retreat. The retreat will center on how Pomona can continue to meet the evolving needs of today’s students; helping them realize their aspirations, prepare for purposeful lives after graduation, and flourish in a rapidly changing world. Trustee Jim Valone ’85 also led a discussion on the motivations that inspire philanthropy and the ways in which alumni and friends of the College continue to support Pomona’s mission.
During the business portion of the meeting, the Board approved several routine but important items, including minutes of its recent meetings, candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree for Summer 2025, acceptance of fiscal year 2025 planned gifts and releases, and year-end transfers of unrestricted funds. Trustees also approved updates to the College’s Gift Acceptance, Counting, and Reporting Policy and Naming Policy, which are reviewed annually to ensure Pomona’s practices remain aligned with legal requirements, donor stewardship standards, and institutional values.
Trustees also heard reports from members of the executive staff. Vice President and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Jonathan Williams shared an update on admissions trends and the success of the incoming Class of 2029. Interim Dean of the College Brent Carbajal reported on the academic affairs self-study examining course demand and faculty capacity. Chief Communications Officer Eric Abelev discussed evolving strategies for campus and public communications designed to highlight Pomona’s impact and reach.
Saturday’s session began with the Student Affairs Committee meeting, with reports from committee vice-chair and ASPC president Grace Zheng, student representative Sarah Russo, and faculty representative Dwight Whitaker. The full Board session included an extensive briefing on the changing federal landscape surrounding higher education. The Board learned more about the impact of the government shutdown on the Department of Education as well as the Trump Administration’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.” President Starr has since signed onto a statement from the American Association of Colleges and Universities opposing the compact.
The Board will hold its next meeting virtually in December, and we look forward to sharing another update with the community following that session. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Thank you,
Geoff
Geoff Pearson
Secretary to the Board of Trustees
Director of Board Engagement