Fresno City College has finalist for new president. ‘She is coming home to serve’

Denise Whisenhunt has a résumé with more than 20 years working in California’s Community College System.

But her introduction to that work? That happened at Fresno City College.

“Talking about this school feels different,” says Whisenhunt, a Fresno native who was just announced as the finalist to become the campus’ next president.

“I know this school,” she told The Bee in an interview Tuesday.

Whisenhunt’s family has been in Fresno for more than 50 years; her father ran Whisenhunt’s Westside Pharmacy.

Three of her siblings attended Fresno City College, before being accepted into Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Though she was 10 years younger, Whisenhunt remembers their time on campus.

“It shaped the way I see the role of community colleges.”

She also remembers visiting the campus, albeit incognito, as it celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2010. She was working at San Diego City College at the time and was taking notes for its centennial celebration.

“Fresno City is an exception in the community college system,” she says.

It was the first community college in the state.

Selected from a nationwide search

The State Center Community College District announced its selection on Tuesday, after a nine-month national search conducted by a 14-member advisory committee that included student representation, plus campus faulty, administrators and community members.

That committee identified four finalists, who were brought in for public forums and meetings with campus leaders and others.

“Throughout the selection process, Ms. Whisenhunt stood out as a genuine, thoughtful, kind, and capable leader,” SCCCD Chancellor Carole Goldsmith said in a release. “From her knowledge of Fresno’s unique needs to her calm and authentic presence, she impressed those she met.”

Goldsmith was taken by Whisenhunt’s “genuine desire to return to Fresno and make a lasting impact.

“She is not seeking a steppingstone; rather, she is coming home to serve.”

And this is a good time to serve, says Whisenhunt, who will be leaving her job as president of Grossmont College near San Diego.

The district has shown its intent to support the needs to this community with the addition of the West Fresno Center, its $87 million science building and other facilities.

“We have a new child development center,” says Whisenhunt, before stopping herself.

“See: I’m already saying ‘we.’”

A final approval this May

Whisenhunt still needs approval from district’s Board of Trustees. Her contract will be presented to the board in May. If approved, she would begin work in July.

Until then, Dr. Kim Armstrong will serve as the acting president, a position she has had since August when she replaced outgoing president Dr. Robert Pimentel.

Pimentel was hired in 2022 and had been on the job for just over two years when he left to become chancellor at the West Hills Community College District.