Governance

The California State Summer School for the Arts is a state agency governed by a 15-member board of trustees appointed by the Governor, State Legislature, State Board of Education, California Arts Council, State University Board of Trustees, Regents of the University of California, and the California State Summer School Arts Foundation.

The California State Summer School Arts Foundation was founded as a 501 (c)(3) in 1986 to support CSSSA by seeking and administering gifts from corporations, individuals, and foundations. A 30‐member board of directors, appointed by the school’s board of trustees, governs the foundation. A number of trustees also serve as foundation directors.

CSSSA Board of Trustees

CSSSA Foundation Board of Directors

Noelle Bonner

Kim Pattillo Brownson

Mike Cannone

Donna Miller Casey

Alexander Cruz de Ocampo

Moctesuma Esparza, Chair

Dr. Merryl Goldberg

Roxanne Messina Captor

Mark Morikawa

Jeffrey Jorge Penichet

Teri Schwartz

Laura C. Romero, Ph.D

Melissa Draper, Chair Emeritus

Alan Sieroty, Emeritus

Matthew Gallagher, Director

Donna Miller Casey, Chair & Founder

Mike Cannone, Secretary

Kelly Buck, Secretary/Treasurer

Maggie Drake

Alex Hirsch

Heidi Kershaw

Mark Morikawa

Janice Prober

Teri Schwartz

Nancy Rae Stone

Wendy Goldberg, Founder

Linda Horner, Interim Executive Director


CALIFORNIA STATE SUMMER SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS

CSSSA Board of Trustees Meeting

May 20th, 2026 at 1:00 PM

Agenda

1. Call to Order and Quorum Call

2. Public Comment – an opportunity for members of the public to address the Board of Trustees regarding items not on the agenda

Consent Agenda:

3. Approval of Draft Meeting Minutes, March 17, 2026

Regular Agenda

4. 2025 Student Survey Reports – Discussion 

CSSSA collected survey data from enrolled students following the 2025 summer sessions. The results of the surveys will be presented to the Board of Trustees. Reports will include the 2025 Summer Bridge Program and the 2025 CSSSA Main Session.

5. 2025 Neurodiversity Training – Discussion

CSSSA initiated a new neurodiversity training curriculum for all faculty during the 2025 session. CSSSA will present on the training curriculum, session outcomes, and future planning for 2026.

6. 2027/2028 and 2028/2029 Budget Projections – Discussions and Potential Approval

CSSSA will present projections for future fiscal years, including anticipated State and private funding sources. CSSSA will also present the Board’s past advocacy initiatives with members of the legislature.

7. Strategic Planning – Discussion and Potential Approval

CSSSA embarked on a joint strategic planning initiative in 2021 with the CSSSA Foundation. The project was paused in 2023, and the Board shall discuss resuming strategic planning efforts.

8. 2026/2027 Proposed Board of Trustees Meeting Schedule – Discussion and Potential Approval

The Board of Trustees shall review the proposed meeting schedule for the next fiscal year. 

9. Architecture & Environmental Design (AED) and Theater Curricular Overview – Discussion

Newly hired Department Chairs Rohan Guyot-Sutherland and Jeremy Guskin will present on the new curricula for AED and Theater.

10. Summer Calendar of Events – Discussion

CSSSA will highlight several events for Board of Trustees to attend during the upcoming summer session.

11. Adjournment

    (All scheduling and orders of business are subject to change within 10 days prior to the scheduled meeting. Any agenda item is subject to potential action by the Board of Trustees.)

    In-Person Meeting Location:
    Cal Poly Pomona Enterprises
    Foundation Administrative Offices
    3801 W. Temple Ave. Bldg 55, Pomona CA 91768
    East of Bronco Bookstore (Bldg. 66) and South of University Plaza (Bldg. 26)

    Join Virtual Meeting:
    Zoom Link: Click Here
    Meeting ID: 886 2627 4050
    Passcode: 020474
    Phone Number:
    +16694449171,,88626274050#,,,,*020474# US

    Meeting Packet