CITY COLLEGE VP CHOSEN TO LEAD GROSSMONT COLLEGE

Denise Whisenhunt has also served as an interim president

Denise Whisenhunt has been named the new president of Grossmont College and will begin her new role July 1, pending contract approval by the school’s governing board on Tuesday.

She was one of three finalists vying to succeed Nabil Abu-ghazaleh.

Whisenhunt has been vice president of student services at San Diego City College since 2013. She previously served for 14 months beginning in May 2016 as interim president of the college until a permanent president was hired. She previously served as interim vice president of student services at San Diego Mesa College.

Lyn Neault, chancellor of the Grossmont-cuyamaca Community College District, called making the selection “an extremely difficult decision.”

Two other candidates with deep backgrounds in education — Mary Gutierrez and Marsha Gable — were also in the running.

In an email from the community college district, Neault wrote that Whisenhunt “has demonstrated that she has an engaging style of leadership and works collaboratively with all groups to promote the best interests of the college. She leads by example, playing a visible role on the campus and is willing to take on any task large or small to ensure the success of students and the institution.”

Whisenhunt held several other positions over the years at San Diego City College, starting in 2001, including dean of student affairs, interim dean of student development and matriculation, and associate dean of student services/outreach. She was previously the transfer center coordinator at the University of California at Merced.

Whisenhunt earned her law degree from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and English literature from UC San Diego.

“With the many challenges facing our District as we emerge from the pandemic and build back enrollment, Ms. Whisenhunt will bring a fresh perspective toward building a strong future,” Neault wrote. “The Governing Board members and I are confident that Ms. Whisenhunt can offer exemplary leadership for Grossmont College.”

Abu-ghazaleh led Grossmont from 2015 until he announced his retirement last fall. According to the Transparent California website, Abu-ghazaleh’s total salary without benefits in 2019 was $233,828. The incoming president’s salary will range from $201,432 to $217,872, according to the district.

Grossmont College annually draws 15,000 students, and is known for its high transfer rates to fouryear universities and top career education programs including Nursing and Allied Health, Administration of Justice and Culinary Arts.