About me
Dr. Kim McMinn is the Director of Polk County Early College, where she brings a career-long commitment to student success, instructional excellence, and innovative school leadership. She holds a doctorate in education, with advanced training in educational leadership, school improvement, and organizational systems, building upon earlier graduate and undergraduate studies in curriculum, leadership, and psychology that prepared her for work across K–12 education. She spent almost 20 years in the classroom before her administrative career and is a graduate of the Distinguished Leadership in Practice program. Prior to her current role, Dr. McMinn served as a principal at an elementary school, where she gained extensive experience leading schools through change, strengthening school culture, and improving academic outcomes for diverse student populations. As a principal, she is known for setting high expectations, supporting teachers through purposeful coaching, and using data to drive continuous improvement while keeping relationships at the center of the work. These experiences directly inform her leadership at Polk County Early College, where she focuses on building a rigorous, supportive environment that prepares students for college, careers, and responsible citizenship. Dr. McMinn believes strongly in the power of the early college model to expand access and opportunity, particularly for first-generation college students, and she works closely with staff, college partners, families, and the broader community to ensure students are both challenged and supported. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes collaboration, accountability, and the development of the whole child, aligning academic achievement with the skills and dispositions outlined in the North Carolina Portrait of a Graduate. Guided by purpose and integrity, Dr. McMinn continues to lead with a clear vision for transforming systems so that all students are equipped to thrive beyond high school.
