Paul Quinn College President Michael Sorrell Named One of World’s Greatest Leaders by Fortune Magazine

DALLAS – Michael J. Sorrell, President of Paul Quinn College in Dallas, Texas was named one of Fortune magazine’s 2018 World’s Greatest Leaders. The annual list honors influencers in the areas of education, science, philanthropy, technology and business who are developing ground-breaking approaches to meet today’s challenges in their respective fields.

Sorrell has served as the President of Paul Quinn College for eleven years. Under his leadership, the school has become one of the most innovative small colleges in America and has become a model for urban higher education by focusing on academic rigor, experiential learning, and entrepreneurship.

“Thank you, Fortune magazine for recognizing the impact of our work at Paul Quinn College. The idea that our quest to end poverty could result in my inclusion on this list is both humbling and inspiring,” said Michael Sorrell, President, Paul Quinn College.

This year’s list puts an emphasis on leaders who are navigating the challenge of “unbundling,” the notion that disaggregating enterprises of all kinds, from the smallest startups to educational institutions to entire nations, can multiply an organization’s effectiveness.

Sorrell was listed as thirty-fourth in the rankings and is one of only two college presidents named in the list, along with Amy Guttman, President of The University of Pennsylvania.

Under Sorrell’s leadership, Paul Quinn College has received numerous national awards and achieved milestones including receiving full-accreditation from the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS); receiving the most seven-figure gifts in school history, and restructuring the curriculum to focus on training and skills for job opportunities.

“Sorrell is a rare leader who is passionate in his efforts to disrupt traditional thinking and innovate towards what is possible for America’s students in higher education,” said Bridget Burns, Executive Director, University Innovation Alliance, who most recently honored Sorrell with the National Award for Leadership in Student Success, Innovation and Collaboration this month.

Others on the Fortune Top 50 leaders list include Bill and Melinda Gates (No. 2),  Apple CEO Tim Cook (No. 14), and Oprah Winfrey (No. 27). The “Students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School” ranked No. 1.