Chevonne Totten-Garner
Executive Director of Admissions
California Institute of the Arts

 

What drew you to the world of college admission counseling?
My path into admissions was definitely not linear, and honestly that is probably why it has always felt like the right fit.

In high school, I really thought I was going to become a biomedical engineer. I even went to summer engineering programs on different college campuses. Then in my senior year, I took my first art class and everything just shifted for me. I decided to major in art education and I actually planned to do both my BFA and MFA in five years.

Once I got to college, I realized pretty quickly after my first education course that I did not want to teach children (which is ironic, since I later became a college instructor, but I digress). So I stayed in art, but I also figured out I was not really aiming to be a traditional fine artist either. Graphic design ended up being the thing that clicked for me. It really combined creativity, communication, and organization in a way that just fit how I think.

At the same time, I was really involved in student activities and student affairs work. I loved being part of the community and helping students feel connected and supported. Admissions, interestingly enough, was the one area I never actually worked in during that time.

After undergrad, I went on to get my MFA in graphic design while still working in student affairs and teaching at the college level. So when I eventually moved into admissions, it was not part of the original plan, but it allowed me to bring together so many parts of who I am: creativity, communication, strategy, relationship-building, storytelling, and a genuine passion for helping students navigate big decisions in a thoughtful way. And especially in arts admissions, that connection got even deeper. Creative students are often still figuring out where they fit and I understand that process in a very real way.

What is your favorite part of the job?
Definitely the people and the relationships.

I really enjoy getting to know students and families and hearing their stories. A lot of the work is helping students see possibilities they have not yet considered. With creative students especially, that stands out, because they are not always trying to fit into neat boxes. They are still figuring out how what they love connects to what comes next. So for me, it’s those moments where a student starts to connect who they are with a place where they feel seen, supported, and they can actually grow.

I also like that admissions is not just one thing. One minute you are thinking about strategy or data or recruitment, and then the next minute you are literally sitting with a student or a family having a very real conversation. That balance keeps me grounded.

And admissions really does sit at this intersection of a lot of different areas. I like working with counselors, faculty, colleagues…all of us trying to figure out how to support students in the best way possible.

How has NACAC played a role in your career?
NACAC is one of the few spaces where people are just real about the work. The pressure, the challenges, all of that…but also the care that goes into it.

I have met colleagues and friends through NACAC that I still learn from and stay connected with, and that has definitely shaped my career over time.

I have also had the opportunity to present and be part of conversations around leadership and access. I co-led the NACAC Middle Management Institute, which particularly stands out because it creates space to talk openly about what this work actually feels like when you are growing into leadership and figuring it out as you go.

More than anything, NACAC helps me zoom out a little bit. Even though we are all in different institutions, the goal is really the same…helping students find access, clarity, and a place where they can actually see themselves.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing our profession today?
I think one of the biggest challenges is just how overwhelming and high-pressure the college admission process has become for students and families.

Students are carrying a lot…academic pressure, financial stress, social media, mental health, expectations from school and family, and just constant noise about what they “should” be doing.

And then for students going into creative fields, there is often another layer on top of that with portfolios, auditions, and just uncertainty about what a sustainable path in the arts even looks like.

At the core of it, I think our responsibility is to be honest with students, to be clear with them, and to create enough space for them to slow down and actually hear themselves. Because at the end of the day, they are trying to figure out who they are and where they belong. And that part matters just as much as anything else.

When you aren’t working, what do you like to do?
When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with family and friends and supporting our three daughters in their activities. I love music, good food, comedy shows, traveling when I can, and indulging in whodunit movies/tv shows. I also still gravitate toward anything creative…art, design, culture.

I am probably happiest when there is good music, good food, and good people all in the same space.

If you could be any fictional character, who would it be and why?
Claire Huxtable (The Cosby Show) with a little Olivia Pope (Scandal) energy. Smart, family-grounded, community-focused, with quiet strength without needing to prove it + calm under pressure, highly intentional, and always prepared with a backup plan.

 

 

Published June 22, 2026.