College Possible founder Jim McCorkell ’90 to deliver convocation at Carleton College
McCorkell will deliver his address on Friday, Feb. 24 from 10:50 to 11:50 a.m. in Skinner Chapel.
Jim McCorkell ’90 will deliver the convocation address at Carleton College on Friday, Feb. 24 from 10:50 to 11:50 a.m. in Skinner Chapel. McCorkell is the founder and former CEO of College Possible, a nonprofit organization that helps low-income students further their education through an intensive curriculum of coaching and support. Under his leadership, College Possible helped 98% of its students receive acceptance letters to schools, and he helped raise almost $150 million.
As CEO of College Possible, McCorkell led strategic organizational development, engaged and built connections with national partners, and championed College Possible’s commitment to creating more college graduates. Over his 20-year tenure, College Possible grew from a start-up in his spare bedroom to a national organization operating in seven American cities, reaching 25,000 low-income students and with an annual budget of $30 million.
McCorkell is a graduate of Carleton College and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. He has been recognized for his work with various awards, including the Ashoka Fellowship, alumni achievement awards from Carleton and Harvard, and the Executive Leadership Award of Excellence from the National College Attainment Network. He has served on many boards over the years and currently serves with Reading Partners Twin Cities.
Since leaving College Possible, McCorkell teaches, serves on nonprofit boards and provides coaching through his consulting practice Excelerate Consulting, with an emphasis on helping social entrepreneurs create, grow and scale their efforts. McCorkell lives in St. Paul, Minn. with his wife, Dr. Christine Greenhow, their son Jack and their golden retrievers, Milly and Maddy.
This convocation will also be presented virtually. Please register in advance if you would like to attend via Zoom. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining.
Carleton convocations are free and open to the public. Find upcoming events and archived recordings on the convocations website. For more information, including disability accommodations, call (507) 222-5461 or email nponder@carleton.edu.