David Howse, the 10th president of California College of the Arts, oversees the academic, administrative, and financial facets of the institution. With a focus on leveraging current institutional momentum, he is dedicated to advancing the college's goal of expanding visibility, reach, and impact. 

Before assuming the role of president, Howse held key positions at Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. Notably, he served as Vice President of the Office of the Arts and concurrently as the Executive Director of ArtsEmerson. With over two decades of experience, Howse has successfully led arts organizations primarily within educational institutions, through strategic visioning, fundraising, and community building.

During his tenure at Emerson College, Howse played a pivotal role in fundraising efforts, securing over $40 million to support core programs and create new initiatives. He achieved impressive results, annually raising 40%-50% of the College's overall fundraising goal. These achievements led to his appointment as the interim Vice President of Institutional Advancement.  Under Howse's leadership, the Gaining Ground Fund was established in 2017, featuring a $3 million artistic risk capital fund to support the development, production, and touring of works by Black American theater artists. This initiative aimed to elevate underrepresented voices in American theater, resulting in productions that successfully engaged traditional and new audiences.

As the Executive Director of ArtsEmerson, Howse curated contemporary theater productions and engagement experiences for both campus and public audiences in Boston. The impact of ArtsEmerson's work extended beyond the city, influencing the broader cultural landscape nationally and internationally. Additionally, the organization played a crucial role in providing pre-professional opportunities for Emerson College students.

Beyond his contributions to Emerson College, Howse's career includes positions at the Boston Children's Chorus and the Institute for Nonprofit Practice. He serves on the boards of several prominent institutions, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; The Boston Symphony Orchestra; The Black Trustee Alliance; The Norman Rockwell Museum, and he is an Advisor of the New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund, the New England Foundation for the Arts.  In recognition of his significant contributions to the arts and cultural diplomacy, Howse was honored with the title of Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Government in November 2023.