San Jose State President Jon Whitmore Named ACT Inc. CEOs

Contact: Pat Lopes Harris, 408-656-6999

SAN JOSE, Calif., — Jon Whitmore announced today that he will step down as president of San Jose State University late this summer to become CEO of ACT Inc., an international not-for-profit corporation headquartered in Iowa City, Iowa. Founded to administer the ACT national college-entrance test, the organization now provides a broad array of assessment, research, information, and program management solutions in the areas of education and workforce development.

“This opportunity is intriguing and challenging in ways that I have never experienced in my 42 years in higher education, and it is one to which I look forward with excitement,” President Whitmore said. “However, I will continue to make significant decisions, and look forward to hiring a vice president for student affairs and to finalizing the budget for the coming year. My intention is to make sure San Jose State is in a strong position to continue moving forward.”

Since his arrival in August 2008, Whitmore guided the SJSU community through two challenging fiscal years, and appointed the university’s first vice president for information technology and first director of sustainability. Whitmore also appointed Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Gerry Selter, who oversees the university’s largest division, with over 1,800 faculty members.

“Jon Whitmore’s exceptional academic experience and leadership will be a tremendous asset to ACT as they move forward,” said California State University Chancellor Charles B. Reed, who will appoint an SJSU interim president until a national search is completed.

Read an ACT news release.

Read Whitmore’s message to the SJSU community.

Read Whitmore’s bio, download his photo.

Read an SJSU athletics department statement.

San Jose State — Silicon Valley’s largest institution of higher learning with 27,400 students and 3,190 employees — is part of the California State University system. SJSU’s 154-acre downtown campus anchors the nation’s 10th largest city.