36. Dr. Michael Sorrell, President, Paul Quinn College: A New Way Forward — The Urban Work College Model, Civic Engagement & America's Educational System

Dr. Michael J. Sorrell is the longest-serving President in the 151 - year history of Paul Quinn College. During his 15 years of leadership, Paul Quinn has become nationally celebrated for its ability to expand the boundaries of higher education to better serve the needs of under-resourced communities and their students. 

Included among Paul Quinn’s numerous accomplishments during President Sorrell’s tenure — improving graduation rates by more than 25%; reducing student loan debt by $30,0000; building the first new buildings on campus in 50 years; renovating every building on campus; creating the Urban Work College Model; winning the HBCU of the Year, HBCU Student Government Association of the Year, and HBCU Business Program of the Year awards; partnering with PepsiCo to transform the football field into the WE over Me Farm; and establishing all institutional fundraising records.

Dr. Sorrell is one of the most celebrated college presidents in America.  Among the honors that he has received are the following: the President George W. Bush Institute’s Trailblazer Citation; being named him one of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders by Fortune Magazine; winning Education Dive’s Higher Education’s President of the Year award; being the only three-time recipient of the HBCU Male President of the Year Award; and having been listed by Time Magazine as one of the “31 People Changing the South”. However, his most prized honor is having been named Father of the Year in the City of Dallas.

https://paulquinn.edu/

Host, Earlina Green Hamilton