Denise Whisenhunt, J.D., is returning home to Fresno to be the next president of Fresno City College.
State Center Community College District Chancellor Carole Goldsmith announced Tuesday that Whisenhunt will be presented to the Board of Trustees for approval in May.
The big picture: Whisenhunt comes to Fresno City from Grossmont College in the San Diego area, where she has been the president since 2021.
- She has over two decades of leadership experience in education throughout her career, including at San Diego City College and San Diego Mesa College.
- Whisenhunt received her B.A. in Political Science from UC San Diego and a J.D. from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.
Zoom in: SCCCD used a 14-member search advisory committee throughout the recruitment process, which included students, faculty, classified professionals, administrators and community members.
- The committee identified four finalists through a nationwide search before settling on Whisenhunt.
Driving the news: Former Fresno City College president Robert Pimentel left the school to become the Chancellor of the West Hills Community College District last year, opening the door for Whisenhunt’s return to Fresno.
What they’re saying: “Throughout the selection process, Ms. Whisenhunt stood out as a genuine, thoughtful, kind, and capable leader,” Goldsmith said. “From her knowledge of Fresno’s unique needs to her calm and authentic presence, she impressed those she met. Like many, I was moved by her genuine desire to return to Fresno and make a lasting impact. She is not seeking a steppingstone; rather, she is coming home to serve.”
- SCCCD Board of Trustees President Danielle Parra thanked the search committee for their work to identify Whisenhunt.
- “The feedback we learned through meetings and surveys was both insightful and helpful in identifying the best candidate to lead Fresno City College,” Parra said.
- Whisenhunt said the move “is truly a homecoming” for her.
- “I am extremely excited to return to the community that provided me with a strong educational foundation,” Whisenhunt said. “Fresno City College is an exceptional academic institution, and I am both honored and humbled to be able to work amongst student-centered faculty, classified professionals, and administrators as the incoming president. I look forward to working together to continue our efforts to start strong, stay strong, finish strong and most importantly be strong for the Fresno community.”
