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Kristina Whalen Named Next President

Kristina Whalen, a veteran educator with 25 years of experience in higher education, will begin the position March 31.

The Foothill-De Anza Community College District Board of Trustees voted unanimously January 9 to endorse district Chancellor Judy Miner’s recommendation that Kristina Whalen be appointed Foothill College’s next president.

“I am thrilled to announce that I am recommending Dr. Kristina Whalen as Foothill College’s eighth president,” Miner said in a message to district employees. “I am confident that Kristina’s skills, experience and character match well with Foothill’s needs — now and in the future.”

Whalen brings a broad range of experience to her new position. She is currently vice president of academic services at Las Positas College in Livermore, a position responsible for supporting the work of approximately 450 employees and overseeing all instructional programs at the college, including career education, adult education, and Middle College. She also serves in a statewide role as vice president of the California Community Colleges Chief Instructional Officers Association and is involved regionally in leadership positions with the Livermore Chamber of Commerce, Alameda County Agricultural Advisory Board, Tri-Valley Education Collaborative, and Tri-Valley Educational Partnership Projects Committee.

“I am honored and excited to be selected as president of Foothill College,” Whalen said. “I look forward to working with Foothill’s talented faculty, staff, students and community partners in the relentless pursuit of equitable outcomes for all students.  I thank Chancellor Miner and the Board of Trustees for trusting me with the responsibility to further the college's inspiring history of educational excellence, equity and innovation.” 

Read the full announcement