The Whittier College Board of Trustees have voted unanimously to appoint interim President and alumna Kristine E. Dillon, Class of ’73, Ph.D., as the school’s 16th president, effective immediately.
Dillon has served as interim president since July 2023, following the resignation of former president Linda Oubré last June, prompted by pressure from alumni who weren’t satisfied with the direction of the private college during her five-year tenure.
“Dr. Dillon’s deep understanding of the academic landscape, combined with her profound commitment to Whittier College, makes her uniquely qualified to lead our institution,” said Ron Gastelum, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “Today’s vote reflects the board’s confidence in her vision and her proven ability to enhance the college’s standing.”
Dillon previously served as a senior advisor for Huron Consulting’s higher education practice, president of the Consortium on Financing Higher Education, and held senior positions with Tufts University and the University of Southern California.
“Whittier College has always been close to my heart, and I am honored to lead this institution which shaped my own educational and professional journey,” she said. “My focus will continue to be on enhancing our enrollment strategies, increasing our financial resilience, and ensuring that Whittier stands out as a leader in providing a personalized, liberal arts education.”
During her time as interim president, Dillon has invested in staffing and tried to turnaround declining enrollment with initiatives such as “Whittier Now,” which seeks to boost alumni involvement and support.
“As we look to the future, we are confident that Dr. Dillon’s strategic vision and dedicated leadership will guide Whittier College into its next chapter of growth and innovation,” Gastelum said. “The board is excited to support her as she continues to advance the mission of the College.”
Dillon’s official appointment as president comes almost exactly a year after Oubré — Whittier College’s first Black and third woman president — announced she would be stepping down with roughly three years left on her contract.
Oubré, who began serving in 2018, faced mounting pressure in the months leading up to her resignation from alumni, students and staff who formed the “Save Whittier College” group to advocate for her ouster.
The group cited poor financial management, exacerbated by slow fundraising numbers in her final year, as catalyst for calling for the change and accused her of “dereliction of duty” and failing to advance the mission of the college.
Between fall of 2018 and the fall of 2022, total college enrollment fell more than 45% from 2,206 students to 1,192, according to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System.
Dissatisfaction fomented around the college’s November 2022 decision to eliminate its football, golf and men’s lacrosse programs in order to redirect financial resources, prompting the group to form.
Multiple trustee resignations or firings as well as a lackluster annual fundraising drive followed, leading the group to take their complaints to the Whittier City Council in April 2023, with Oubré announcing her resignation the following month.
Alumni were also opposed to the sale of Wardman House — a 1925 Spanish-style mansion that served as the home to Whittier College presidents and was a fixture on campus and city — which was sold for roughly $5 million in April 2023 in light of financial issues.
An installation celebration is being planned, and details will be announced as they become available.
