Finalists named for San Diego Mesa College president

The search for the next president of San Diego Mesa College has been narrowed to three finalists with extensive experience in educating community college students.

The finalists are Ashanti Hands, Ed.D., vice president of student services at San Diego Mesa College; Jeannie Kim, Ph.D., interim vice chancellor for educational services and strategic planning at Riverside Community College District; and Kristina Whalen, Ph.D., vice president of academic services at Las Positas College.

The finalists will participate in a public forum to be held Monday, May 9, at San Diego Mesa College in Mesa Commons MC-211:

Kristina Whalen, Ph.D. 1-2 p.m.
Jeannie Kim, Ph.D. 2:15-3:15 p.m.
Ashanti Hands, Ed.D. 3:30-4:30 p.m.

The event will also be live-streamed on Zoom for public viewing. The same Zoom link will be used for all three forums: https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/99002397302

Mesa College presidential candidates (from left) Dr. Jeannie Kim, Dr. Ashanti Hands, and Dr. Kristina Whalen will participate in a public forum on May 9.

Hands previously served as dean of student affairs at San Diego Mesa College until she was named to her current position in 2016. She earned a doctorate in educational leadership from San Diego State University; a master’s degree in education from San Diego State University; and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from University of California at San Diego.

Kim previously served as associate vice chancellor, grants and economic development at the Riverside Community College District until she took her current position in 2020. She earned her doctorate in higher education policy, evaluation and reform from Claremont Graduate University; a master’s degree in cultural anthropology from California State University, Fullerton; and a bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology from University of California, Los Angeles.

Whalen previously worked as associate vice chancellor of enrollment management and instructional support services at City College of San Francisco before starting her current job in 2019. She earned her doctorate in speech communication from Florida State University; a master’s degree in rhetoric and public address from Florida State University; and a bachelor’s degree in socio-political communication from Missouri State University.

The finalists were selected as part of a national search by the San Diego Community College District for a successor to San Diego Mesa College President Pamela Luster, who is retiring on June 30. The new president is expected to begin in July.

San Diego Mesa College is a fully accredited, comprehensive community college committed to access, success, and equity. Among the largest community colleges in California, Mesa College serves 30,000 students per year, 25% of whom are full-time. Mesa offers nearly 200 associate degree and certificate programs and is one of 15 California community colleges offering a four-year baccalaureate degree. Mesa ranks as San Diego’s top transfer institution, is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution and a Military Friendly School, serving more than 3,500 veterans and their families.

As one of the largest of California’s 73 community college districts, the San Diego Community College District serves approximately 100,000 students annually at San Diego City, Mesa, Miramar and Continuing Education colleges.