After a rigorous recruitment process, a Fresno native, Denise Whisenhunt, J.D., returns home as Fresno Community College’s new president.

The State Center Community College District announced Whisenhunt’s appointment Tuesday morning following a nationwide search.

Whisenhunt is taking over for Robert Pimentel who resigned last August, after two years as president, to become chancellor of West Hills Community College District.

Her contract will be presented for approval to the Board of Trustees in May, and she is set to start work in July.

Whisenhunt brings over 20 years of leadership experience in the California Community College system.

She has served as president of Grossmont College since 2021. Before that, Whisenhunt worked at San Diego City College and San Diego Mesa College

Whisenhunt describes herself as a student-first decision maker, committed to working with underserved communities — expanding access and opportunity.

Her leadership grounded in equity and a deep understanding of the California Community College mission, according to a news release,

“Throughout the selection process, Ms. Whisenhunt stood out as a genuine, thoughtful, kind, and capable leader,” said Chancellor Carole Goldsmith, “I am confident that Ms. Whisenhunt has both the professional preparation and the personal passion to lead with courage, compassion, and clarity. As president, she can help us write the next great chapter of Fresno City College’s storied legacy.”

Get to Know Whisenhunt

Whisenhunt graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in political science from UCSD and received a Juris Doctorate from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.

Whisenhunt, born and raised in Fresno, described coming back as a “homecoming.”

“I am extremely excited to return to the community that provided me with a strong educational foundation. Fresno City College is an exceptional academic institution. I am both honored and humbled to be able to work amongst student-centered faculty, classified professionals, and administrators as the incoming president,” Whisenhunt said in a news release, “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.”

Whisenhunt had a hometown advantage — possessing a knowledge and understanding of Fresno’s unique needs.

“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,” said Chancellor Carole Goldsmith

Additionally, she has been a leadership fellow with Aspen, UC Davis Wheelhouse, and Lakin Institutes and served on several boards. She plans to use that insight to fundraise and create strategic partnerships that support FCC.

The Intensive Search Process

The search process lasted nine months, including an open forum and meetings with FCC constituency leaders and the chancellor’s cabinet members.

The SCCCD created a 14-member advisory committee to participate in the process.

FCC students, faculty from the FCC Academic Senate and the State Center Federation of Teachers, professionals from the FCC Classified Senate and California School Employees Association, administrators, and community members comprised the committee.

The committee held community listening sessions and a community feedback survey. The feedback helped shape the application, screening, and interview processes.

“The feedback we learned through meetings and surveys was both insightful and helpful in identifying the best candidate to lead Fresno City College,” said Danielle Parra, president of the SCCCD board of trustees.

Finalists participated in a public forum comprised of questions from internal and external community members’ suggestions.