Jennifer Cheng and family at the USC Kaufman 10th Anniversary Gala. From left: husband Masoud Salehi, daughter Ashley Chang, Jennifer, son Alex Chang

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance is proud to announce the appointment of Jennifer Cheng as Co-Chair of its Board of Councilors, beginning with the 2025–26 academic year. Cheng will serve a two-year term alongside current Co-Chair Dr. Robert N. Braun, succeeding former Co-Chair and current board member Bryn DeBeikes.

The announcement was shared in a letter to the USC Kaufman community by Dr. Braun, who noted the strong participation and engagement of the Board in the recent election.

“We had an amazing turn-out for this election by our members and yet another great example of just how engaged our Board is and continues to be,” Braun wrote. “I look forward to working with Jennifer, Dean [Julia M.] Ritter, and Chief Advancement Officer Patrick Leder-Morrow as we set the Board agenda for the coming year and develop strategies to ensure that our high level of Board engagement and partnership continues moving forward.”

Cheng has demonstrated a strong commitment to the arts, especially dance, throughout her career. From 2014 to 2018 she served as Executive Director of Diavolo: Architecture in Motion, where she worked closely with Artistic Director Jacques Heim to create and produce, among other things, the company’s much lauded Veterans Project, which culminated in three acclaimed performances at the Kennedy Center in February 2018. Jennifer also serves as president of the Cheng Family Foundation, which has provided major philanthropic support to USC Kaufman, the Huntington Library, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Diavolo, and numerous performing arts organizations across California.

“Jennifer’s deep commitment to the arts, combined with her leadership experience and philanthropic vision, will be invaluable as we continue to grow locally and nationally,” added Ritter “I look forward to working closely with her and Robert to advance the School’s mission and support our extraordinary students, faculty, and community.”

A former ballet dancer with stage and television experience, Cheng brings a lifelong passion for the arts as well as a deep commitment to community engagement. She holds a BA in Art History, a JD, and an MBA, and remains an active advocate for the arts thoughout Southern California, especially in the San Gabriel Valley where she grew up.

Says Cheng. “I am honored to have been elected as new co-chair. Glorya Kaufman has given the world such a gift with this school. I look forward to discussing, collaborating, supporting and celebrating with the Board and all of Kaufman’s stakeholders. I know we can achieve so much together.”

USC Kaufman welcomes Cheng into her new leadership role and looks forward to her continued contributions in advancing the School’s mission and impact.