Kellie J. Sigh is the New Executive Director of College Possible Milwaukee
Kellie J. Sigh. (Picture provided by College Possible)
After spending over eight years working with Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), Kellie J. Sigh has been selected as the new executive director of College Possible Milwaukee: a non-profit that helps Milwaukee students from low-income backgrounds get accepted into and graduate college.
Sigh was recruited for the position, but before accepting the role, she did some research in which she found her and the organization’s missions aligned.
According to a press release, the College Possible Milwaukee model addresses systemic educational barriers and the new challenges students experience by working in close partnership with districts, high schools, and post-secondary institutions.
College Possible works with more than 800 students in Milwaukee at 15 partner high schools. Students a part of this program have an average GPA of 2.8 with more than 95 percent of the students being of color and more than 93 percent are first-generation college students. In its first year, College Possible Milwaukee served 53 juniors at three partner high schools. In the 2020-21 program year, College Possible Milwaukee will serve more than 800 high school juniors and seniors and 1,500 college students at more than 100 colleges across the nation.
“The lane that we’re in, is for those who say they’re interested in college,” Sigh said. “College Possible is recruiting. College Possible is ready to work right now with juniors in all the schools we serve.”
Sigh said her past experiences and being a parent will help her navigate and effectively execute her new role. She has more than 25 years of experience in the private and public school sectors, with education being a part of her DNA. Sigh’s uncle, Grant Gordon, was the first Black principal for MPS and her aunt, Lucinda Gordon, founded the Lady Pitts School for Pregnant Girls.
“Kellie’s experience and connections with MPS, her passion about students, and approach to building and maintaining effective, healthy and whole teams set Kellie up for success in this role,” said Board Chair, Dick Seesel in a press release.
Sigh’s goal through whatever role she takes on is to show her students that they can accomplish whatever they want.
“They just need people to recognize the greatness in them,” Sigh said. “Hear them. Respect them. Learn from them.”