Dear Members of the Colorado College Community,
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With great enthusiasm and confidence in the success of our shared future, the Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Manya Whitaker as the 15th President of Colorado College.
Dr. Whitaker assumes this role with a deep and abiding commitment to the liberal arts, a powerful vision for the College’s future, and a leadership style rooted in collaboration, courage, and integrity. As interim president over the past year, she has navigated a pivotal moment in the College’s history – marked by national volatility in higher education and society – with clarity, transparency, and a steadfast focus on student-centered excellence.
Throughout her tenure at CC, as a faculty member, department chair, senior administrator, and most recently, interim president, Dr. Whitaker has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to equity, access, academic rigor, and the enduring and undeniable relevance of a liberal arts education. Her vision for Colorado College is one of inclusive distinction: a college where academic freedom and belonging are mutually reinforcing, where our sense of place informs our national impact, and where we continue to lead boldly in shaping what a 21st-century liberal arts institution can and should be.
We recognize that some members of our community had anticipated a traditional national search. The Board approached this decision with that expectation in mind and with deep respect for process. In partnership with the leadership advisory firm Russell Reynolds Associates, we conducted a comprehensive and community-informed assessment that included:
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- More than 1,500 survey responses from faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members
- Dozens of interviews across stakeholder groups
- A separate survey conducted by the Faculty Executive Committee
- Professional performance evaluations and leadership assessments of Dr. Whitaker
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The outcome of this rigorous process was a clear and consistent affirmation of the kind of leadership the College needs – and the alignment of that vision with Dr. Whitaker’s values, capabilities, strengths, and approach. Her appointment ensures strategic continuity and preserves the strong momentum she has cultivated across campus and beyond.
At a time when higher education faces profound public scrutiny and structural uncertainty, we believe Colorado College is well-positioned to lead with purpose and integrity, guided by a president who understands both our roots and our future. Dr. Whitaker’s leadership reflects our collective aspiration for academic excellence, institutional resilience, and inclusive innovation.
We are deeply grateful to the many members of our community who contributed their voices, perspectives, and reflections throughout this process. Together, we now look ahead to an exciting new chapter and the start of the next 150 years for Colorado College.
With gratitude and anticipation,
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The Colorado College Board of Trustees
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Jeff Keller ’91, P’23 (outgoing Chair)
Kyle Samuel ’92 (incoming Chair)
Kari Alldredge ‘87 (incoming)
Buck Blessing ‘85 (incoming)
Ed Bowditch ‘86
Susie Burghart ‘77 (outgoing)
Heather Carroll ‘89
Ed Casias ‘87
Lilly Chen ‘19
Carolyn Cullen ’91, P’20, P’22
Jerome DeHerrera ‘97
Eric Duran ‘91
Frieda Ekotto ‘86
Joe Ellis ‘80
Jane Franke ’84, P’17
Landon Hartman ‘27 (incoming Student Trustee)
Lisa Hastings ’91, P’23 (outgoing)
Jena Hausmann ‘93
Ryan Haygood ‘97
Jen Hoglin ‘91
Amy Louis ‘84
Andrew Masterman ’89, P’22 (incoming)
Mary Naphtal ‘81 (incoming)
So Yong Park ‘87
Liza Malott Pohle ‘85
Daniel Porterfield
Adrian Price ‘25 (outgoing Student Trustee)
Laila Scott ’98, P’29 (incoming)
Mike Slade ’79, P’28 (outgoing)
John Troubh ‘79
Thayer Tutt P’15 (incoming)
Michael Ukropina ’89, P’20, P’27 (incoming)
Lauren Watel ‘07
Chester White ‘15
Alan Woo ‘71
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