CCA News

CCA President Michael S. Roth to Step Down

Posted on Monday, March 26, 2007, by Brenda Tucker

Michael S. Roth will step down as president of California College of the Arts (CCA), as announced today by Ann Hatch, chair of CCA's board of trustees. Roth has accepted the position of president at Wesleyan University in Connecticut and will assume his new position in late August. CCA's board of trustees has appointed an interim management team and will form a search committee for a new president.

"It is with profound regret that I accept, on behalf of the board of trustees, the resignation of President Michael Roth," stated Ann Hatch. "His tenure at CCA has been distinguished by decisive, inspiring leadership, and remarkable achievement. He has played a significant role in the expansion of the college's programs and facilities, the implementation of key academic initiatives, and the revival of CCA's fundraising and alumni relations efforts–-measures that have ensured the college's position as a national leader in arts education. That Michael has been offered this prestigious position is a tribute to the strength of CCA and what has been accomplished in the past seven years. No doubt CCA will attract very strong candidates for the next presidency. It has been an absolute pleasure working with Michael and I wish him all the best at Wesleyan, his alma mater."

Michael Roth was appointed CCA president in 2000. As chief executive officer, he is responsible for all academic and financial activities of the college, including management of a $49 million annual budget, fundraising leadership, supervision of senior academic and administrative staff, and development of a 36-member board of trustees. Highlights of his successful tenure at CCA include the creation and implementation of a five-year comprehensive strategic plan; expansion of the San Francisco campus; a 38 percent increase in enrollment; and establishment of new academic programs, including undergraduate programs in animation, community arts, visual studies, and writing/literature and graduate programs in architecture, curatorial practice, design, visual criticism, and writing. Roth leaves the college in a strong financial position; since 2000, he and the board of trustees have raised $15 million in funds for core operations and an additional $21.5 million for new facilities, programs, and endowment. This is three times CCA's previous fundraising record, which was set in the late 1990s.

"While it is very difficult to leave CCA, I am very proud of what we—trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and donors—accomplished during my time here. CCA's position in arts education has never been stronger, and interest in our academic programs, public programs, and exhibitions only continues to grow. I would like to thank the entire CCA community for the support and collegiality they have shown me throughout my seven years at the college. I hope that I can bring to Wesleyan the creative spirit and care for community that I have experienced here at CCA." About his new position Roth commented, "Wesleyan University has been at the forefront of progressive liberal arts education for generations, and it is a great honor for me to assume its presidency after having experienced the transformative power of this great institution as a student."

CCA's board of trustees has appointed Vice President for Advancement Susan Avila, Provost Stephen Beal, and Vice President of Finance and Administration David Kirshman as an interim management team during the search for a new president.

See About the President for more about Michael Roth.

About CCA

Founded in 1907, California College of the Arts (formerly California College of Arts and Crafts) is the largest regionally accredited, independent school of art and design in the western United States.

Noted for the interdisciplinary nature and breadth of its programs, CCA offers studies in 20 undergraduate and 6 graduate majors in the areas of fine arts, architecture, design, and writing. The college offers bachelor of architecture, bachelor of arts, bachelor of fine arts, master of architecture, master of arts, and master of fine arts degrees.

With campuses in Oakland and San Francisco, CCA currently enrolls more than 1,600 full-time students.

About Wesleyan

Founded in 1831, Wesleyan is a private arts and sciences university located in Middletown, Connecticut. The university offers 44 undergraduate majors, as well as graduate programs in the sciences, mathematics, and music.

Wesleyan's 2,700 undergraduates develop individualized programs of study that reflect their own interests and hone essential capabilities that the faculty believe every student should possess upon graduation. Wesleyan's approach fosters interdisciplinary study as well as independent research opportunities undertaken with faculty in the major department.

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