Aug. 6, 2024
Good day, Seawolf Community,
I am extremely honored to serve as the Interim President of Sonoma State University and to be part of a community committed to educational access and excellence. Sonoma State is a mainstay of the North Bay’s educational, economic, and cultural life, and I could not be more excited to be with you on campus. I am grateful for the warm welcome I have received and look forward to meeting as many of you as I can in the coming days and weeks.
I arrived in Sonoma County this past Friday after driving from Texas with my daughter, Kate, an eighth-grade teacher from New Orleans. I have had a wonderful journey and a smooth transition. The beauty and history of the region, along with the community at Sonoma State, is inspiring. Over the weekend, I settled in Santa Rosa, where I will soon be joined by my husband of forty-six years, Tom, who is professor emeritus of history and American studies at Arizona State University.
Monday morning, as I drove through picturesque Bennett Valley and Grange Road heading to campus, it dawned on me that this is the most beautiful commute of my entire career. Upon my early arrival to campus, I was met with several hellos and engaged in a terrific conversation with a faculty member. By the time I got to my office, I already felt at home.
Over the next few days, I will continue my orientation to Sonoma State and the region by meeting with our governance partners, including faculty, staff, and student leadership, key supporters of Sonoma State, and local community leaders. I know we have challenges to meet with budget, enrollment, academic planning, and more, but I know the campus has already made considerable progress. I look forward to working with everyone at SSU to continue its focus on student success, academic excellence, the cultivation of new leaders, and creating positive, transformative impacts on the students, families, and communities the university serves.
Emily F. Cutrer, Ph.D.
Interim President