Chapman announces new dean of the College of Performing Arts

As the current dean of CoPA, Giulio Ongaro, prepares to retire, Chapman hired Harvard alumna Anne F. Hogan to take charge of the position, beginning in July of this year. Photo courtesy of Anne F. Hogan

On April 16, it was announced that Anne F. Hogan would be stepping in as the new dean of Chapman’s College of Performing Arts (CoPA). She will assume her new role on July 15.

Hogan spent many of her early years before her undergraduate degree in ballet. She received a scholarship to Harvard University, where she studied English literature. She has served in administrative roles at various universities, with her most recent role being the Dean of the School of Music, Theatre and Dance at Ithaca College in New York.

Hogan explained to The Panther why she decided to apply to the CoPA dean position and why she believed she was a good candidate.

“I was excited to learn of the opportunity because I am so impressed by the growth, accomplishments and ambitious vision of Chapman University, and more specifically, the outstanding reputation of the programs and the faculty in (CoPA),” Hogan said. 

Hogan continued: “I wholeheartedly share Chapman’s student-centered ethos, and I applied for the position because I felt that my background, values and skills aligned with the responsibilities of the Dean of CoPA role.”

Hogan will be taking over the position from Giulio Ongaro, the current dean of the college. Ongaro explained that he will be retiring at the end of the current school year after spending a total of 49 years in academics. 

Ongaro shared that his most memorable highlight as the dean was the opening of the Sandi Simon Center for Dance in March 2023. He then explained his hope for the future of the position and what is to be accomplished.

“My hope is that she finds (the role) well positioned for the next step up, and I have the belief that Dean Hogan is the person to continue to move CoPA in the right direction,” Ongaro told The Panther. “I don’t have specific ideas of what that looks like, but I am looking forward to seeing what she is going to do, and I will be her cheerleader.”

Hogan stated that she has several visions and ideas to help advance the college further.

“I can’t wait to start working with the CoPA community to develop a collective vision and a strategic plan to further advance the upward trajectory of the college,” Hogan told The Panther. “My goal is for CoPA to be recognized as one of the top performing arts colleges in the country, one that is distinguished by its rigorous, empowering and forward-oriented curriculum.”