College Possible announced Friday that Kellie J. Sigh will transition from Executive Director of the Milwaukee site into a new role as the national Vice President of Site Leadership, effective April 18, 2022.
Sigh joined College Possible as the Milwaukee site Executive Director in May 2020. “Leading a team in the middle of a pandemic took creativity and intentionality. I had to harness all my leadership training, guidance from trusted advisors, and wisdom from above to build community virtually with new and existing team members. It was almost a full year before I saw my 15 team members and 37 AmeriCorps coaches in person.”
As the Milwaukee site leader, Sigh set five strategic priorities during her tenure, including raising brand awareness and building strategic partnerships. She is credited with “raising the profile” of the second largest College Possible site by leveraging well-established relationships within the Milwaukee community.
Equipping staff to be more culturally sensitive also became a focus for Sigh. In addition, she encouraged a deeper commitment to each scholars’ experience while in the College Possible program Mutually beneficial, collaborative, and impactful partnerships with three new high schools, two new colleges and several corporations (including the Kohler Company) played a key role. Beginning with a May 16th visit to Kohler’s main campus, College Possible scholars will now receive internships, scholarships, mentoring and career exploration opportunities.
Greater diversity on the College Possible Milwaukee site Advisory Board, as well as the AmeriCorps team that delivers College Possible’s curriculum to students attending one of its 19 partner high schools, was also achieved. More than 50 percent of the board is now represented by individuals who identify as BIPOC.
Sigh will remain the Executive Director for the Milwaukee site until her successor is named. Fundraising, external relations and administrative oversight will continue to be managed by Sigh.
In her new role as Vice President, Sigh will oversee five program sites across the country, and will partner with the national team to oversee leadership development, DEI and strategic initiatives at all sites.
Prior to joining College Possible, Sigh was the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Customer Service for Milwaukee Public Schools.
“This transition is bittersweet for me personally, having worked closely with Kellie for the last two years — but I’m excited for her opportunity and I’m grateful that she will continue to have oversight for Milwaukee. Kellie has accomplished a great deal in a short amount of time,” said Board Chair, Dick Seesel.
