Name: Kevin Walthers
Job Title: President
Institution: Allan Hancock College (CA)
Since: 2014
Previous Positions: President, Las Positas College (2011-2013); Vice Chancellor for Administration, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission/West Virginia Community and Technical Colleges (2009-2011); Vice President for Administration, USE Eastern (2006-2009); Assistant Commissioner for Administration, Utah System of Higher Education (2004-2006).
Affiliations and/or Boards: Local Chamber Board; Rotary Club.
State Engagement: California Community College Athletic Association, Board Chair; California Community College Chief Executive Officer Board Member.
Past AACC Conventions Attended: 2025, 2024, 2022, 2018, 2017, WDI 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2009
Past AACC Professional Development Participation: AACC Commission on Public Relations Advocacy and Advancement; 2024 Fall Commission Meeting; 2014 PASI; 2009 Aspiring CEO Academy
Education: Ph.D., Educational Leadership and Policy, University of Utah (2006); Master of Education, East Texas A&M University (1995); B.S., University of Texas at Austin (1991); Eastfield Community College (now Dallas College), non-degree transfer (1986).
Other: With more than 14 years of service, Dr. Walthers is one of the ten most senior CEOs among the 145 CEOs of California Community College system. His reputation for a relentless focus on student success and community support is well known. During his tenure he led his community to fund a $10 million endowment to ensure that every high school graduate in their service region would have access to two years of tuition-free college.
The Hancock Promise became a tool not just for access, but for completion. Graduation numbers at Allan Hancock College are at record levels that reflect the diversity of the community. As part of the record number of graduates the college now has more Latino graduates than it had total graduates upon his arrival.
This past year, Dr. Walthers leveraged community support to complete a partnership with Cal Poly – SLO to bring baccalaureate degrees to the higher education desert of northern Santa Barbara County. His advocacy on behalf of his students is well known in the region through his frequent public speaking engagements and monthly opinion column that runs in three local newspapers and is published in several others across the state.
He has also been a catalyst for growing partnerships with Santa Barbara City College and Cuesta College that will bring unique and difficult-to-develop programs to the service area.
Dr. Walthers was a system leader during the COVID years, providing real time tracking of district policies across the state that provided crucial information as our colleges attempted to navigate the complexity of closure and then return to campus policies. He is the “keeper of the tenure” – a tracking device that shows CEO tenure across our state. This tool is used for CEO and trustee professional development by research groups, the Community College League of California, and the board of the California Community College Trustees.
After having served his terms on the CA CEO board, he termed out. This is the CEO group that takes positions on legislation in the state and sets the strategic direction for CCLC or state advocacy arm. Dr. Walthers currently serves as the chair of the California Community College Athletic Association. He is leading the effort to inclusively navigate political issues around gender participation in a way that protects institutions and students.
Dr. Walthers has served with distinction and is a well-respected leader in the CA CCs. His ability to bring people together fosters collegial collaboration and professional development. He is known as a mentor to young CEOs and can count at least a half dozen other presidents that ascended to their positions while working for him.