In 1999, Jim received a Master’s of Public Administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government where he studied nonprofit management, strategic organizational development and the relationship between race, poverty and gender. Prior to Harvard, he received a B.A. from Carleton College with honors in 1990, and an M.A. in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1995.

He has nearly eight years of experience teaching S.A.T. and G.R.E. preparation courses for Kaplan Test Preparation, one of the largest test preparation companies in the United States. In addition, he created and taught “Introduction to American Government” at the University of North Carolina. He has over 10 years experience tutoring and mentoring low-income youth as a volunteer.

Jim’s motivation for founding Admission Possible stems from his own experience. His parents did not graduate from high school—though they ultimately earned G.E.D.s—and he experienced first hand the disadvantage of attempting to navigate the admissions and financial aid process as a low-income student. Through the help of his family, teachers, friends, and several scholarships, however, he was able to receive a first-class higher education and all the opportunities it affords. He now wants to help give that same opportunity to other disadvantaged students.

Born and raised in Minnesota, Jim is familiar with the Twin Cities’ nonprofit and philanthropic communities. He worked previously with  City Year, a national nonprofit public service and youth development organization headquartered in Boston, where he managed the organization’s strategic development. Prior to City Year, he worked on U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone’s reelection campaign in 1995-96 as Deputy Finance Director and he managed former U.S. Attorney David Lillehaug’s statewide campaign for Minnesota Attorney General in 1998. 

In 2005, Jim was selected to receive the "Spirit of Carleton Award" from Carleton College for his efforts to help low-income students prepare for college.  In May 2006, he was chosen as one of the top "40 under 40" young professionals by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.  He also was recently elected an Ashoka Fellow.  Ashoka recognizes and supports leading social entrepreneurs throughout the world.  Jim serves on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and has previously served on the board of Growth & Justice, as well as other local nonprofits.  In February of 2007, Jim received the first ever Community Luminary Award from General Electric.

Jim lives in St. Paul with his wife, Dr. Christine Greenhow, a co-founder and former Board Member and former AP director of teaching and learning, their son, Jack, and their dog, Molly.