Julia Kreger has spent more than seven years helping students navigate the challenges of college, from managing deadlines and financial aid to balancing work and family responsibilities. As program director for success and data at College Possible Minnesota, she combines hands-on mentorship with innovative tools and data-driven systems to ensure that every student has the guidance and resources they need to succeed.
A Commitment to Students
For Kreger, making college possible is about more than academics — it’s about providing mentorship, guidance, and support every step of the way.
“Everyone deserves to have a cheerleader, mentor and supportive resource throughout their college journey,” Kreger says.
One student’s journey brings this mission to life.
When Kreger first met Jerrisha as the on-campus coach at St. Catherine University, she was immediately struck by her resilience. Jerrisha was a full-time nursing student and a single mother, navigating her final semester after the unexpected loss of her partner. By that point, she had exhausted her lifetime limits of financial aid and was at risk of delaying graduation.
Through close collaboration with campus partners and access to the College Possible Scholarship and Direct Student Aid, Kreger helped close Jerrisha’s tuition gap — allowing her to graduate on time, with less stress and without taking on additional debt.
Today, Jerrisha is a neonatal intensive care nurse at a children’s hospital in Minneapolis, where she is making a profound difference for families every day.
Driving Impact Through Innovation
Over her seven years with College Possible Minnesota, Kreger has helped scale programs and implement innovations that enhance student support. From coaching students one-on-one to developing systems that track milestones and progress, she ensures that every learner has access to the guidance and resources they need. She is particularly enthusiastic about Coach Possible, the new AI-powered student success coaching solution that provides 24/7 personalized guidance and enables stronger connections between her and the students she serves. She notes that in a constantly evolving landscape of higher education, it’s a key tool in meeting students where they are, while still maintaining personalized support.
Advice to Students
Kreger’s advice to students emphasizes resilience and self-belief: You have the power, grit and intelligence to do whatever you choose.
Her work and the students she supports reflect College Possible’s mission: long-term mentorship, personalized guidance, and helping students achieve their academic and career goals.
More about Julia Kreger
Julia Kreger is the director of success and data at College Possible Minnesota, where she leads the program team supporting students from high school transition through college graduation. She oversees all student funding initiatives, including the College Possible Minnesota Scholarship and Direct Student Aid. As the site lead for Salesforce, Julia leverages data, evaluation, and technology to strengthen program quality, spot challenges, and equip coaches with personalized, high-impact insights.
With years of hands-on experience coaching students and developing College Possible programs, Kreger ensures that every student has a dedicated mentor and access to the resources they need. She also oversees program evaluation, contributes to national partnerships, pilots new initiatives, and supports teams across College Possible Minnesota’s regional locations to help scale impact while maintaining strong human connections.
