Dear Pomona College Community,
The fall semester is well underway, and Pomona is alive with the energy of new possibilities. From classes to laboratories, stages to studios, student meetings to service activities, Pomona is now in constant motion. With so much happening, I wanted to share a brief summary of some developments of interest to Sagehens everywhere.
First, I am very proud of the leadership our students showed as this country struggled in the aftermath of the murder of Charlie Kirk. When it was sorely needed, the 5C Democrats and 5C Republicans jointly issued a compassionate and principled statement condemning political violence and advocating urgently for respectful dialogue. Even as political polarization grows around us, our students remind us that “disagreement is to be expressed with discourse, with organizing, with voting—never with violence.”
Two weeks ago, I was at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, to take part in a robust discussion between presidents representing about a dozen liberal arts colleges and leading national media. While in our nation’s capital, I also attended a meeting of the University Leadership Forum of the U.S. Council for Competitiveness, which I co-chair. It is energizing to work with peers to lift up higher education and make the case for the vital role of the liberal arts in American life. Pomona is not alone in facing challenges, and college presidents—like so many others across our institutions—are finding many ways to work together to present the clear and affirmative case for higher education in building a stronger America and a more resilient world.
With the start of school, we now have full data on our class of 2029. Our newest class was drawn from a record 12,470 applications and includes 24% first-generation students (another Pomona record) and 15% international students. Their academic interests are about evenly spread across the humanities, sciences, social sciences and interdisciplinary studies. Pomona is proud to be one of the very few institutions that admits students regardless of ability to pay, meets 100% of students’ demonstrated financial need, and does not package loans in financial aid.
Earlier this week, I shared an update on the Center for Global Engagement (CGE), and I am now happy to announce that the Global Pomona Council (GPC) has begun meeting. It will help guide the College in strengthening our global education through cross-disciplinary work across the liberal arts. I am grateful to every member of this council for their service.
Also this fall, we launched a new Shared Governance Task Force, with a focus on enhancing transparency and clarity on the College’s decision making. The Faculty Executive Committee, the Staff Council and the Associated Students of Pomona College provided valuable input in shaping this undertaking. Guided by David Maxwell from the Association of Governing Boards, the Task Force of trustees, faculty, staff, students and executive staff kicked off their work on September 6. The group will meet every two weeks between now and mid-March, with many opportunities for community input. The group has already established a subcommittee to draft a Statement of Principles for shared governance on which the entire group will deliberate. That Statement will guide the Task Force as they create a final report and recommendations due in March.
I also want to extend my thanks to Bob Gaines and Kara Godwin for taking on new responsibilities. Having served so ably as acting president earlier this year, Bob has now agreed to serve as special advisor to the president for a term of two years. He will play a critical role in supporting strategic initiatives and will assist the executive team in strengthening faculty and undergraduate research—in addition to maintaining a normal teaching load as the Edwin F. and Martha Hahn professor and chair of geology. His initial focus will be to help chart Pomona’s overall response to the changing national research landscape.
Kara is now Pomona’s assistant vice president and chief global officer. Reporting both to me and interim vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college Brent Carbajal, Kara will build on her former engagement with Pomona during the Global Pomona Project (2021-2023). She will work alongside faculty to setPomona’s global and interdisciplinary vision rooted in the 2023 Global Pomona strategic plan. She will also serve as point person for CGE, and will help guide its vision and programming. This will include working closely with the Office of Facilities and Campus Services on construction details to ensure the space optimally serves Pomona’s residential, teaching and research needs across all units for transition planning, as well as the Office of Advancement to resource the program’s ambitious goals.
Finally, at a reception at the President’s House on September 12, I was delighted to be joined by faculty from across the College, including 15 new tenure-track and tenured colleagues, to celebrate the start of a new academic year. Our faculty are exceptional teachers and scholars. I am grateful for their commitment to Pomona and for the countless ways they dedicate themselves to our students. I am always so proud to be among them, and all of you.
With best wishes,
Gabi