A man who was the first in his family to attend college and has held roles at multiple colleges and universities serving Black and Hispanic students is the new leader of Heritage University, which has a branch campus in Kennewick. 

The private university based in Toppenish announced Christopher Gilmer’s appointment as president on March 14. He begins July 1 as current President Andrew Sund retires after eight years at the helm. 

“Chris’ passion for higher education and commitment to expanding opportunities for underserved communities make him the ideal leader to continue to shape the future of Heritage as a vital resource for the region,” the university said in a release. 

Gilmer is currently vice president for strategic initiatives and social justice at Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi, where he has also been on the college’s Board of Trustees. He served as faculty and administrator at two other Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs), including Alcorn University the oldest public land-grant HBCU in the U.S. Gilmer’s other leadership roles included vice president for academic affairs at Adams State University in Colorado, a Hispanic-Serving Institution, and president of West Virginia University at Parkersburg and West Virginia University Potomac State College. 

“Heritage University creates access to the education that makes dreams come true,” Gilmer said in a release. “My family sacrificed everything for me to be the first to attend college, and my life is living proof of their sacrifice. Education is the great equalizer because it unlocks transformational power in families and communities.”