Jim McCorkell

Jim McCorkell is the founder and former CEO of College Possible, a national nonprofit organization making college admission and success possible for low-income students through an intensive curriculum of coaching and support.  He currently consults with a variety of clients, with an emphasis on helping social entrepreneurs create, grow and scale their efforts.

As CEO at College Possible, Jim was responsible for leading strategic organizational development, engaging and building relationships with national partners and championing the organization’s commitment to creating more college graduates. Over his 20 year tenure, the organization grew from a start-up in his spare bedroom into a national organization operating in eight American cities, reaching 25,000 low-income students, with an annual budget of $30 million. Under Jim’s leadership, the organization helped 98% of its students earn admission to college, and he helped raise nearly $150 million. 

Jim is a graduate of Carleton College and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. His work has been recognized with many awards, including the Ashoka Fellowship, alumni achievement awards from Carleton and Harvard, and the Executive Leadership Award of Excellence from the Nation College Attainment Network. He has served on many boards over the years, and now serves with Reading Partners Twin Cities. 

Since leaving College Possible, Jim focuses on sharing his hard-earned wisdom by coaching and developing leaders through his consulting practice, Excelerate Consulting, as well as teaching, and serving on nonprofit boards.  Please contact him for board service opportunities and consulting projects. 

He lives in St. Paul, MN with his wife, Dr. Christine Greenhow, their son Jack, and their golden retrievers, Milly and Maddy. 

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Jim McCorkell serves on the Board of Trustees