Fresno City College President Finalists Open Forum

Dr. Nathan Carter

Dr. Nate Carter is a transformative higher education leader committed to institutional effectiveness, inclusion, and student success. With 20 years of experience across public universities, state education agencies, and community colleges, he has championed equity-driven initiatives that expand access to learning, foster belonging, and create lasting pathways to social and economic mobility.

As Chief Institutional Effectiveness and Inclusion Officer at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), the second-largest community college in the nation, Dr. Carter coordinates NOVA's strategic plan, various institutional partnerships, and leads the Title IX and DEI Office. A champion for affordable, high-quality education, he believes community colleges catalyze innovation, bridging individual aspirations with collective progress.

A proud product of the California community college system, Dr. Carter began his journey at Sacramento City College before earning degrees from the University of the Pacific, CSU Northridge, and Howard University. He's held faculty positions at CSU San Bernardino and NOVA, and  leadership roles at the Virginia Department of Education and throughout his tenure at NOVA. Dr. Carter, a graduate of the prestigious American Council on Education (ACE) Fellows Program, exemplifies servant leadership by contributing his expertise to various local, state, and national boards dedicated to student success and community college excellence. 

Dr. Christine Holt

Since 2021, Dr. Christine Holt has served as chancellor of the University of Arkansas, Hope-Texarkana, a public community college offering degrees, certificates, continuing education, and industry training across two campuses and the James Black School of Bladesmithing.

Previously, Dr. Holt served as chief of staff and interim chief diversity officer for the University of Missouri System and associate provost for the University of Missouri, engaging in  planning, accreditation, diversity hiring, Title IX, campus safety, and other special initiatives.

Earlier, she served as dean of academic administration for Northern Virginia Community College’s Annandale campus. Known for being a "great utility player," she held posts as interim provost, dean of learning and technology resources, and dean of students. Dr. Holt’s 25 years of educational experience include leading a satellite center at Catawba Valley Community College (NC) and being the first career development coordinator for a large K-12 School-to-Career program in Northeast Ohio.

While in Ohio, she earned a law degree, practiced family and juvenile law, and served as a guardian ad litem for children and the elderly. Dr. Holt holds degrees in business administration, adult education, law, and a doctorate in business administration with a focus on leadership and management.

Dr. Jason Rivera

Dr. Jason Rivera is a dedicated higher education leader with nearly three decades of experience. He currently serves as Vice Provost for Student Success and Dean of University College at Ball State University, where he has led institutional transformation by implementing a student success framework centered on care, high-impact practices, belonging, and identity consciousness. A strategic innovator, Dr. Rivera has advanced technology-driven solutions and developed data-informed initiatives, including retention strategies that have yielded year-over-year increases in student persistence.

Prior to Ball State, Dr. Rivera served as Vice Chancellor for Student Academic Success at Rutgers University–Camden, where he expanded transfer pathways, including 2+2 and 3+1 programs with local community colleges. He also held leadership roles at Swarthmore College and Montgomery College, where he founded the Achieving the Promise Academy to improve retention and completion rates for African American and Latinx students.

A proven change agent, Dr. Rivera’s research explores college completion for Latino and African American male students and the ways care, capital, and community cultural wealth influence student success. He earned his Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Maryland, College Park, his M.S.Ed. at CUNY’s College of Staten Island, and his B.A. from Manhattanville University.

Denise Whisenhunt, J.D. 

Denise Whisenhunt, J.D., is a progressive, equity-minded leader with over 23 years of leadership experience in the California Community College system. As president of Grossmont College for more than three years, Denise provides strategic leadership to enhance student success.

A Fresno native, her career demonstrates a commitment to working with underserved communities. Her administrative positions include Interim President, Vice President of Student Services, and Dean of Student Affairs at San Diego City College, Interim Vice President of Student Services at SD Mesa College, Associate Dean of Outreach for the SD Community College District, and Transfer Outreach Coordinator at UC Merced. Denise has co-chaired and served on peer review accreditation teams.

A staunch advocate at the local, state, and national level, Denise focuses on fundraising and strategic partnerships that support college priorities. She has been a leadership fellow with Aspen, UC Davis Wheelhouse, and Lakin Institutes. She also has served on several boards including the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce, the Monarch School, UC San Diego Alumni and Catholic Charities. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UCSD and a Juris Doctorate from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.