“Attending CUA Law gave me a solid legal background that has been of great benefit to my development as a community college practitioner. As the president of Grossmont College, I am dedicated to providing access and opportunity for all students, and this drive, determination, and commitment to social justice through education was ignited in many ways as a graduate of CUA Law.”

Denise Whisenhunt is an innovative leader with more than 21 years of administrative and leadership experience in the community college system. She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Grossmont Community College, located in San Diego’s east county, which enrolls more than 16,000 students annually. Prior to this role, she served as the vice president of student services, at San Diego City College, providing vision and support to implement and sustain strategies that impact student success. In her position, she was responsible for the leadership of the college's comprehensive student services division, with an emphasis on student-focused experiences from outreach to graduation. Prior to this role, she previously led the college as interim president in the midst of transition and accreditation. Her administrative positions have also included interim vice president of student services at San Diego Mesa College, dean of student affairs at San Diego City College, and associate dean of outreach for the San Diego Community College District. She has dedicated much of her professional career working with underserved and underprepared populations, with a focus on increasing access and opportunities through equity-based practices to help students reach their goals. She is recognized for the development of innovative programs and systems, leveraging traditional and alternative resources through collaborative and integrated efforts to support student achievement.

Whisenhunt holds a B.A. in political science from the University of California, San Diego, and a J.D. from The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law. She is actively involved in local leadership. She also has been a participant in the prestigious Aspen Institute fellowship program, and the University of California, Davis Wheelhouse Community College Leadership Fellows program. Her community involvement has included serving on the board of directors of the Monarch School, a transformational K-12 school designed to educate homeless youth, Catholic Charities board of directors, as well as the University of California, San Diego Alumni Association Board.