AFIT welcomes Dr. Kristina Whalen, President of Foothill College

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Kristina Whalen, President of Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, California, as the newest member of the Alliance for Innovation & Transformation (AFIT). 

Kristina is the eighth president of Foothill College. Throughout her career, she has been deeply engaged in strategic planning, accreditation, student success, and institutional transformation. Her previous roles included vice president of instruction at Las Positas College and vice chancellor of Enrollment Management and Instructional Success at City College of San Francisco.  

Kristina is a leader in equity-advancing initiatives and data-informed approaches to improve the student experience. At Foothill, she is helping advance an institutional vision centered on radical belonging, economic mobility, clear career and transfer pathways, experiential learning, and preparing students and employees for the digital transformation of higher education. Her leadership also emphasizes what Foothill calls “heart-forward care,” an approach that centers empathy, respect, belonging, and removing barriers for students. 

Under Kristina’s leadership, Foothill is exploring new approaches to institutional innovation, including Culture Pods that create agile, cross-functional spaces for employees and students to test and scale solutions to emerging challenges. The college is also developing an AI Fellows initiative focused on responsible AI adoption, with an emphasis on trust, equity, student learning, and workforce relevance. These efforts connect with the college’s broader Foothill 2030 vision for student success and institutional transformation. 

Kristina describes Foothill’s transformation as encompassing three interconnected areas: using data to better understand and advance student economic mobility; preparing students and employees for the digital transformation and the college of the future; and cultivating a culture of deep care, radical belonging, and heart-forward service. Her work reflects a commitment to adapting college services and academic offerings to meet the needs of an evolving student population and changing expectations of higher education. 

Kristina shared that she was drawn to AFIT because of its “rare combination of forward-looking leadership development, real and practical innovation, and a trusted community of peers” who are navigating many of the same opportunities and challenges facing higher education.  

We are excited to welcome Kristina and the Foothill College team to AFIT and look forward to learning alongside them as we continue exploring new ways to strengthen higher education and its impact on students and communities. 

Please join us in giving a warm AFIT welcome to Kristina and the Foothill College team!