CCCS Internal 
April 9, 2026 (Denver, CO) — Colorado Community College System (CCCS) Chancellor Dr. Marielena DeSanctis today announced the selection of Dr. Bishane Whitmore, a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force and current Deputy Commander, as the next president of the Community College of Denver (CCD), following a nationwide search. Dr. Whitmore will begin his tenure on October 1, 2026.
“Dr. Whitmore is a proven leader with the discipline, experience, and vision to lead in today’s dynamic environment,” said Chancellor DeSanctis. “He brings a strong record of inspiring and leading people, managing complex operations, and delivering results at scale. Just as importantly, he understands the vital role community colleges play in expanding opportunity and strengthening our workforce. I am confident he will build on CCD’s strong foundation and lead the college into its next chapter.”
Dr. Whitmore was selected through a highly competitive process that engaged stakeholders from across the college and broader community.
Dr. Whitmore is a proven leader with the discipline, experience, and vision to lead in today’s dynamic environment.
He brings a strong record of inspiring and leading people, managing complex operations, and delivering results at scale. Just as importantly, he understands the vital role community colleges play in expanding opportunity and strengthening our workforce. I am confident he will build on CCD’s strong foundation and lead the college into its next chapter.
A Colorado native who grew up in Aurora, Dr. Whitmore will return home to lead CCD, bringing both a national perspective and a deep personal connection to the community he will serve. Dr. Whitmore expressed his enthusiasm for joining CCD and serving the Denver community.
“It is an honor to be selected to serve as the next president of the Community College of Denver and to join the Colorado Community College System,” said Dr. Whitmore. “Community colleges are powerful engines of opportunity. CCD has a strong legacy of serving its community, and I look forward to working alongside faculty, staff, students, and partners to expand access, strengthen pathways to in-demand careers, and support student success at every stage of their journey.”
Located in the heart of downtown Denver, CCD serves a diverse student population and plays a critical role in connecting learners to high-demand careers and advancing economic mobility across the region.
A Leader with National, Military, and Academic Experience
Dr. Whitmore brings more than two decades of leadership experience in the United States Air Force, where he has held senior roles spanning operations, strategy, and organizational leadership at the highest levels.
In his current role as Deputy Commander, Dr. Whitmore serves as Chief Operating Executive for a large, geographically distributed organization, providing strategic leadership for a 6,000-acre installation with $3.8 billion in program value, a $151 million annual operating budget, and $1.7 billion in physical infrastructure assets. He leads and integrates operations for more than 4,100 personnel across six global locations, aligning mission execution, personnel strategy, infrastructure planning, and fiscal oversight. He also collaborates with federal and state legislators, industry leaders, government agencies, and higher education to strengthen workforce pipelines, advance applied research, and support innovation initiatives. In addition, he spearheads enterprise-wide efforts to strengthen organizational culture, fostering an environment of trust, belonging, and mission effectiveness across a highly diverse workforce.
Previously, Dr. Whitmore served in a senior Chief of Staff role at the Pentagon, where he directed operations for an enterprise responsible for strategy, policy development, and executive communications. In that role, he orchestrated engagement with foreign dignitaries representing nations around the world, aligning priorities across agencies and strengthening international partnerships. He successfully managed a $3.1 million operating budget, implementing a zero-impact mitigation strategy following an $815,000 budget reduction to maintain continuity of operations and protect core priorities. In the role, he also led coordinated crisis-response efforts for complex international contingencies, managing large-scale analytical and planning support across multiple organizations.
Community colleges are powerful engines of opportunity. CCD has a strong legacy of serving its community, and I look forward to working alongside faculty, staff, students, and partners to expand access, strengthen pathways to in-demand careers, and support student success at every stage of their journey.
In addition to his operational leadership, Dr. Whitmore brings meaningful experience in education and talent development, shaped in part by his own academic journey through community colleges and advanced study. During his time as a Training Officer for the U.S. Air Force, he designed and delivered academic curriculum and instructional programs, mentored adult learners, and oversaw assessment, certification, and program evaluation processes.
He holds a Doctor of Philosophy and a Master of Philosophy in Military Strategy, along with master’s degrees in Military Art and Science, Organizational Leadership, and Business Management. His educational path began with three science- and technology-related associate degrees, underscoring his personal understanding of the transformative power of community colleges. He has also been recognized for his leadership and service, including distinction as an Art of War Scholar and earning the Distinguished Flying Cross for saving coalition lives during combat operations.
Together, these experiences position Dr. Whitmore to lead CCD in expanding opportunity, strengthening workforce pathways, and advancing the college’s role as a driver of economic mobility and growth in Colorado. The Colorado Community College System is eager to welcome Dr. Whitmore and the leadership he will bring to CCD and the communities it serves.
Dr. Whitmore looks forward to joining the Denver community in the months ahead.
