Santa Rosa Junior College dance coordinator Casandra Hillman has been absent from classes since a student protest outside of dance auditions Sept. 3, as allegations from students and faculty about alleged inappropriate behavior continue to pour in.
Multiple students and faculty members accused Hillman of emotional and verbal abuse, discrimination, retaliation against students who criticized her, being intoxicated during classes, racial stereotyping, offering alcohol to students and belittling colleagues in front of students.
Hillman and her defenders argue that she is a tough but fair instructor who has been unfairly maligned.
Tauzer-Pardo’s grievance
One of Hillman’s most vocal critics, Jordan Tauzer-Pardo, a now-former SRJC dance student, filed a formal accusation with SRJC against Hillman, claiming discrimination and retaliation, in fall 2024. The college placed Hillman on paid administrative leave from November 2024 to August 2025 as a private investigation firm looked into the allegations in Tauzer-Pardo’s complaint.
According to a notice of administrative determination dated May 12, 2025, the following accusations were sustained:
- “Ms. Hillman retaliated against Tauzer-Pardo for filing a complaint against Hillman in fall 2024 by excluding Ms. Tauzer-Pardo from participating in the ACDA conference at a time the District was still participating.”
- “Ms. Hillman attempted to intimidate and influence students’ testimony and participation in the fall 2024 investigation.”
- “Ms. Hillman contacted students during the fall 2024 investigation after being directed not to due to concerns of retaliation and intimidation.”
SRJC officials have not revealed what, if any, disciplinary actions were taken. The college cleared Hillman to return to teaching this semester, a move that angered students; more than two dozen protested outside of dance auditions on Sept. 3.
Board of Trustees meeting
Less than a week later, several students and faculty members spoke out against Hillman at the Sept. 9 Board of Trustees meeting.
Vanessa Breen, a former SRJC dance student, told the board that Hillman had plagiarized choreography and claimed it as her own.
“She was a nightmare, often coming into class agitated, angry and distant. We never knew what she might start yelling about,” wrote former SRJC dance student Braylon Ernest, in a letter read by Breen.
Genevieve Mychajluk, another former SRJC dance student, disparaged the Board of Trustees for failing to take action.
“Students and faculty have come forward for days, months — and with a burning disappointment — years, describing a pattern of behavior that includes mistreatment, retaliation, and a destructive dance and learning environment,” Mychajluk said. “Concerns have been continuously swept under the rug, yet we are expected to remain intentionally silent in our protests in order to be considered professional or proactive. With all this, we are still met with no accountability, no change, no answers and no solutions.”
Gabrial Rizo, a current dance company member, also called out SRJC administrators.
“You are leaving the dance department unread, unseen and in the hands of not just a bully, but a monster,” he said. “This monster has gaslit students against one another in fear of retaliation, punishment and lost opportunities.”
Rizo went on to specifically call out SRJC President Dr. Angélica Garcia.
“Wake up, SRJC. Wake up, Board of Trustees. I’m sorry, but wake up, Angélica,” Rizo said. “The students matter, the faculty matters. At the end of the so-called inviting auditions, [Hillman] told the whole group she’d accept only high-level dancers. What if I were to tell you, Angélica, I’m only accepting a high-level president?”
According to former dance coordinator Debbe-Ann Medina, Hillman’s behaviors have persisted since she became the dance coordinator in fall 2016. Medina also criticized the SRJC policy that prevents former students from filing grievances.
“It is very disturbing that [Hillman] can flat-out commit criminal offenses, offering to buy alcohol to underage dancers at [American College Dance Association conferences], and the school can’t do a thing about that due to these current policies,” Medina said.
Hillman’s defense
Amid mounting criticism, Hillman addressed the controversy in a Sept. 25 email to The Oak Leaf.
“In light of recent public commentary surrounding my role at the institution — including statements made during Board of Trustees meetings and across social media platforms — I wish to clarify that there have been a number of narratives shared publicly that do not reflect the truth of my actions, experience or character,” Hillman wrote.
She argued that some of her critics had no personal experience with her.
“Many of those who have spoken out in these public forums have never met me, nor have they taken a single class under my instruction,” she wrote. “I recognize the right of individuals to voice their concerns. At the same time, the public nature and tone of the discourse have, in some instances, moved beyond constructive dialogue and have contributed to a climate of hostility.”
Hillman provided a list of former students and colleagues she believed would speak positively on her behalf. One of these people was former SRJC dance student Joanna Iversen-Browne, who wrote in support of Hillman in a Sept. 26 email to The Oak Leaf.
“Throughout my many years dancing with SRJC, Casandra has always been a fiercely protective, constantly evolving force of nature, and while we have had our disagreements, they all were resolved by Casandra’s willingness to grow and learn from the experience,” Iversen-Browne wrote.
According to Iversen-Browne, who described the allegations as a, “vicious smear campaign,” Hillman is not a bully, but a teacher who holds students to a high standard.
“Academic dance is not the fun, low-pressure environment of a studio or high school dance program, and in a pre-professional program like the SRJC dance program is structured to be, you are not allowed to behave inappropriately without consequences,” Iversen-Browne wrote. “My opinion remains that Casandra is a tough but fair teacher, and the students complaining about being held to a higher standard in her classes and company rehearsals are simply unable to rise to the occasion, and are resentful of the challenge and expectation of academic dance and college dance professors.”
Deanna Dubinin, a former SRJC dance student from 2019 to 2022, praised Hillman’s teaching and mentorship in a Sept. 27 email to The Oak Leaf.
“I believe the way that Professor Hillman critiqued and guided my choreographic choices throughout my time at the SRJC is what helped me grow the most as a dancer, choreographer, and now as a dance teacher,” Dubinin wrote.
Dubinin went on to deny that Hillman showed favoritism, or that she discriminated against any students.
“In terms of in-class feedback and chorographic/performance placements, she, as any good professor and/or employer should do, acknowledged hard work, respect, and a desire to learn,” Dubinin wrote. “She knew when a student was in class to learn, dance and grow, and she knew when a student only was there for a grade or a chance to be on stage. If you watch performance pieces done by Professor Hillman, you would find that she did not emphasize students of a particular body shape, gender, color or ability level. She had always given equal opportunity to every student who showed up and worked hard.”
Kelly Logan, a friend of Hillman’s, emailed The Oak Leaf Oct. 1 to defend Hillman’s character.
“She is a kind, loving, and deeply committed dance teacher who pours her heart into everything she does,” Logan wrote. “Her teaching is rooted in genuine care and concern for her students, always striving to bring out the very best in each of them.”
Further allegations
In addition to Iversen-Browne and Dubinin, Hillman listed former student Nanu Barbosa as someone she believed would give a perspective contradictory to the allegations that had come out thus far.
Barbosa, in a Sept. 29 email to The Oak Leaf, accused Hillman of creating a toxic environment in the SRJC dance program.
“It seemed like I was considered a favorite of Casandra’s — which is likely why she recommended me to you — but me being a favorite to her doesn’t make me unaware of the negativity she has brought to the SRJC dance environment,” Barbosa wrote.
Barbosa alleged that Hillman repeatedly made racially-charged comments towards her.
“During my time as a student, I often felt racially stereotyped or singled out by Casandra,” Barbosa wrote. “For example:
- When I wore a bandanna in class to keep my hair in place, she once told the class that I probably wore it because of my ethnicity rather than as a personal choice.
- In front of a hip-hop class, she asked if I was wearing a wig when I had an Afro. Another African-American student pointed out how inappropriate the question was and even made it into a joke out of discomfort, but Casandra ignored her comment.
- For a hip-hop final, I chose “Mama Said Knock You Out” by LL Cool J because I thought it would be fun to choreograph. Casandra responded, ‘Of course,’ implying I chose it because I’m Black.
- More broadly, when choreography had opportunities to be ‘sassy,’ that stereotype was applied to me on some occasions. Over time, these moments added up and made me feel constantly viewed through a lens of racial assumptions rather than as an individual.”
Barbosa also accused Hillman of other inappropriate behaviors, such as sharing a dream she had about a student that was implied to be sexual.
Barbosa chose to leave SRJC after the fall 2023 semester — her only in the SRJC dance program — due to her experience with Hillman.
“The overall atmosphere at my new school is profoundly better,” Barbosa wrote. “Professors are far more supportive, encouraging students to believe in themselves and reassuring them that it’s OK to make mistakes. The focus is on your own growth rather than comparing yourself to others — there’s no favoritism. There are smiles throughout the dance classes, and I truly know I made the right choice. I want that for student dancers at SRJC.”
Hillman declined to comment on Barbosa’s allegations.
Hillman’s absence
According to students, Hillman hasn’t been to campus since the Sept. 3 protest against her return to teaching.
On Sept. 4, Hillman sent a message to students that reads, “Dear Students. It’s with great pain that I have to cancel class today. I am unable to go to campus for fear of my safety and the hostile work environment. I will let you know when the district works this out. I hope to return next week. Thank you. Professor Hillman.”
On Sept. 9, Hillman sent a message to students that reads, “Hello Students, My Apologies the interruption in your instructor of record. It was not my decision. I will return on October 6th. Thank you.”
The dance performance and company class, Dance 29, has improved in Hillman’s absence, according to multiple students.
“With the chaos of having different instructors and not a lot of information for most of her classes, including the touring dance company, it’s been a bit of a rough time,” said Keshi Mayer, a Dance 29 student, in a text to The Oak Leaf on Sept. 23. “I still prefer the atmosphere of the dance program now to how it was before.”
Meyer added that the program has improved under former Sonoma State University dance program co-director Kristen Daley, who is filling in for Hillman.
“I know collectively we’re excited to be working with her,” Meyer said.
Various substitutes have filled in for Hillman’s choreography class, Dance 3.1, though consistency may be around the corner, according to students.
“Her choreography class has pretty much fallen completely off the rails,” wrote Joshua Farris, a Dance 3.1 student, in a message to The Oak Leaf on Sept. 23. “We haven’t moved forward at all until today with [Daley]. I think there’s a general sentiment that we would rather have [Daley] take the class over entirely because it was the first time a lot of us felt refreshed and, like, we really learned something about ourselves.”
Sarah Pew, SRJC’s director of marketing, communications and public affairs, did not respond to a request for comment. Pew has previously stated that the District is unable to comment on personnel matters.
