Dear CCA Community,

It has been some time since my last communication, but I am writing to update you on a few important items for our community, in the near-term and long-term, as we get closer to the end of this semester.

First, we have some immediate celebrations of our work ahead of us, with our end-of-year exhibitions and the upcoming Commencement. These are essential opportunities to recognize and reflect on our hard work, both individually as students, faculty, and staff, and as a community working together.

I am also pleased to share that registration for Fall 2026 is looking quite positive. Our students remain the primary focus for those of us teaching or working at CCA. Whether we are seeing them through to their own CCA graduation or supporting their transition to a teach-out partner, I am grateful that our commitment to their success is what continues to drive us.

As we look toward Spring 2027, our other focal point is the preservation of CCA’s legacy and the long-term impact of our mission of art and design education. To that end, I want to share the strategic roadmap that will guide us through this evolution. This framework allows us to amplify CCA’s historic DNA and our rich legacy, ensuring they are meaningfully honored in the new entity. Not to put too fine a point on it, but we are in a critical 15-month window of influence to shape the future of the CCA Institute at Vanderbilt. While final decision-making authority rests with Vanderbilt University, this is our opportunity to provide a blueprint for what we believe should come next.

To manage this, we have designed a tiered governance structure intended to focus our community’s specialized expertise directly into the transition process. This will be managed through four interconnected layers of leadership and engagement:

• The Advisory Body: Composed of the President, Provost, and a Trustee, this group is responsible for high-level strategic advising and senior-level engagement with Vanderbilt.
• The Steering Committee: Serving as the central hub for collaboration with the Advisory Body, this group includes the Chief Transition Officer, the Director and Chief Curator at the Wattis, and representatives from the Library and Archives, alongside Faculty, Staff, Deans, and Alumni representation.
• The Working Groups: These groups are the engine of the transition, focusing on Advancement, Academic Affairs, Tech/Facilities, Finance, and HR. They serve as the vital conduit for community feedback, ensuring faculty, staff, and student perspectives are integrated into our conversations with Vanderbilt.
• The CCA Legacy Committee: This internal group is dedicated to the "human" element of our journey. Co-led by a faculty member, a staff member, and a Dean, with representation from Student Affairs and our alumni community, the committee brings together voices to honor and celebrate the CCA legacy throughout this transition

The co-chairs of the CCA Legacy Committee will be announced in the coming days. Current planning is being channeled through Deans, Chairs, and Department heads to ensure a structured approach. Please look for a future announcement detailing the specific ways you can get involved and contribute to the committee’s mission.

Lastly, I want to state my appreciation for the weight each of you is carrying. The news of our closure was a profound moment for us all, and I want to acknowledge the resilience, dedication, and grace many of you have shown as we navigate this period of change.

As we move through the coming months, we all recognize that many in our community will be transitioning into new chapters. For some, it is the celebratory milestone of graduation; for others, it is the pursuit of new opportunities; and for some, it is the wind-down of specific roles. While these shifts are personal and varied, it does not necessarily make it easier for each of us to look ahead toward the fall and our path to Commencement 2027.

Thank you for your continued patience and for the care you show one another every day.

Sincerely,
President Howse