As the college’s semester nears its end, the community of Grossmont bids goodbye to President Denise Whisenhunt, who will move to Fresno City College. There will be a transitional period until July, when the college tentatively ushers in a new president, Dr. Pamela Luster.
Whisenhunt was appointed the college’s president in 2021 and has “commendably led Grossmont College through a number of challenges and notable successes,” according to Chancellor Lynn Neault. The college has seen an increase in enrollment of 18% and further engagement in campus programs such as the Math, Engineering & Science Achievement (MESA) program, Neault said in an email.
Whisenhunt recently reflected on her tenure at Grossmont.
“This place is an outstanding academic institution, the work came well before Denise Whisenhunt ever sat in the chair. But I’m really proud of how the college has really grown in many ways,” Whisenhunt said. “Successes that we’ve had from the lens of the academic growth of the campus, but also like student support.”
A notable accomplishment of Whisenhunt’s is bringing the Golden Pyramid Scholars Award – where students, mostly of underrepresented communities, are rewarded for being high-achieving scholars – to Grossmont.
“It’s been just an honor to kind of shepherd some of that experience for our students,” Whisenhunt said when talking about tutoring opportunities for students.
Whisenhunt said she viewed the staff at Grossmont as having provided a nurturing educational environment for students. “I’m not one to take credit for things, I think my job is to kind of help create conditions that support student achievement,” she added.
Whisenhunt commented on the transition from her office in Building 10.
“I think I have the best view in campus,” she said. “I would never want to change my view because I get to look at students. I have a tough day, I just get up and look out the window.”
Whisenhunt said she will remember Grossmont’s campus for its vibrant student life and the opportunities it has provided for students to succeed both in life and academically.
Luster is president emerita of San Diego Mesa College. Luster has retired from the school in 2022 after an 11-year tenure, but will be tentatively appointed interim president of Grossmont College, effective July 7.
Luster is widely recognized for having multiple achievements as a faculty member of Las Positas and West Valley College, having been a chairwoman for the Community College Presidents’ Initiative in the National Science Foundation. Notably, Luster is a co-founder of the Equity Avengers, a group dedicated to addressing higher education needs for marginalized groups.
“She is a fierce, unapologetic advocate for inclusive practices and student success, who is highly respected statewide and nationally,” Neault said in an email. “I am confident Dr. Luster will bring steadfast leadership, a focus on inclusive practices, and operational continuity to Grossmont College during this critical transition.”
How the transition will affect the college has yet to be seen.
“I think it kind of just depends what they change,” Grossmont student Esmeralda Rendon said. “It’s kind of who they are as presidents as individuals– what they prioritize, do they have the same common interests for the school or are they coming in with different ideas?”
As the community bids goodbye to Whisenhunt, there is a planned future for who will lead the college as the search for a new permanent president begins.
