Sharon D. Herzberger, Ph.D.
President

Sharon D. Herzberger became Whittier College's 14th president on July 1, 2005. Since then, she has led successful initiatives to affirm the founding values of Whittier College, enhance academic offerings, beautify the campus, invigorate Poet athletics and other student life programs, and deepen and broaden connections to the City of Whittier and the greater Los Angeles area.

Under President Herzberger's leadership and with strong commitment from Whittier's faculty, two Centers of Distinction were launched in 2009-10: the Center for Science, Health, and Policy and the Center for Collaborations with the Arts. Both Centers expand Whittier's interdisciplinary curriculum and provide opportunities for students to pursue research or creative projects. A signature program of the Center for Collaborations with the Arts will be "LA Arts Terms" that expose both Whittier and visiting students to the multitude of arts institutions in Southern California and bring artists-in-residence to campus.

Capital projects President Herzberger has overseen include a dramatic expansion of the Campus Center, the refurbishment of historic Hoover Hall, upgraded science labs and media-ready classrooms, and enhanced athletic facilities. Underway in 2010-11 is a renovation of the Graham Athletics Center, including the construction of a 43-meter pool.

In 2007 President Herzberger signed the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, pledging to work towards climate neutrality on campus. Since then, the campus has significantly reduced food waste and water usage, implemented a recycling program, inaugurated experiments in "green" living in the residence halls, and developed plans to convert to more sustainable landscape.

In the last five years, the College has launched several programs designed to enhance students' career exploration. The Lessons on Leadership program and the Backpack to Briefcase series bring leaders in business, government, and not-for-profit organizations -- many of whom are Whittier College alumni and parents -- to campus to network and share their "secrets to success. The new Richard M. Nixon Fellowship Program prepares exceptional students for informed citizenship and public service. Other new Fellowships, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Keck Foundation, the Weingart Foundation, and individual donors, enable talented students to assume internships or to do research on campus and around the world. In 2008, Whittier was invited to join the prestigious Mellon-Mays Fellowship Program, which prepares students for careers as professors.

President Herzberger began her academic career teaching psychology at Northwestern University before moving to Trinity College in 1980. By the time she left to join Whittier, she had served as department chair, special assistant to the president for affirmative action, associate vice president for the college's campaign, vice president for student services, and vice president for institutional planning and administration. She founded the Consortium on High Achievement and Success (CHAS) and served as chair. President. Herzberger has authored numerous articles and co-authored two books in the field of social psychology. She holds a bachelor's degree from Pennsylvania State University and her master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Illinois.

President Herzberger resides in Whittier College's Wardman House with her husband David, a professor of Spanish literature and head of the Hispanic Studies Department at the University of California, Riverside. The Herzbergers have two sons, Ben and Jeff, and a daughter-in-law, Amanda.

Contact

Office: Mendenhall, First Floor
Tel: 562.907.4200, ext. 4201
E-mail: president@whittier.edu