College Possible Oregon Advisory Board Chair Clark Haass announced, “It is with mixed emotions that I share Executive Director Emielle Nischik will be leaving College Possible Oregon on June 30.” Emielle will be serving as the new deputy executive director for the Oregon School Boards Association. Emielle has worked for College Possible Oregon for seven years, first as the director of development and communications before being promoted to the role of executive director in 2020. Emielle has courageously led the organization through the pandemic, all while increasing program quality and support systems and scaling student impact during an uncertain time. “During her tenure, College Possible students are graduating at twice the national rate of their peers from low-income backgrounds. We are grateful for Emielle’s leadership and wish her the very best in her new role.”
Kellie J. Sigh, who serves as vice president of site leadership at the College Possible national office and a former executive director herself, will serve as interim executive director until a new executive director is appointed. Kellie will oversee the national search for the permanent executive director replacement, while also managing overall site operations. Two College Possible senior team members in the Oregon office will continue to oversee much of the day-to-day programming, operations and fundraising. Margarita Gutierrez Lemus, senior program director, will work with partner high schools and colleges, AmeriCorps coaches and staff to continue the great support the College Possible team provides to the 1,600 students we serve. Nicole Mays, senior director of development, will continue to oversee fundraising, marketing and communications for the Oregon site. In addition, Founding Board Chair Ken Thrasher, who leads the Investment Council, will support the team along with myself.
“In the weeks to come, my focus will continue to be on students, including continuing with AmeriCorps recruitment, our upcoming Caps Off! event and our ongoing fundraising efforts. I have every confidence in the world that this team and our valued Advisory Board will continue to achieve great things for students throughout Oregon,” Nischik said.
Those interested in applying for the executive director position at College Possible Oregon should visit College Possible’s website. The application window will open June 5 and questions can be directed to Kellie Sigh at KSigh@CollegePossible.org. Kellie will partner with College Possible Oregon’s Advisory Board in the selection and onboarding of a new executive director.
