EIU Media Relations

EIU alumna Dr. Kimberly Hollingsworth transforming communities through innovative leadership at Chicago’s Olive-Harvey College

(Charleston, IL) — When Dr. Kimberly Hollingsworth looks at higher education, she doesn't just see classrooms and degrees. She sees opportunity.

As President of Olive-Harvey College on Chicago's South Side, the Eastern Illinois University alum has spent her career creating pathways that connect education directly to economic mobility, workforce development, and community transformation.

Whether launching Illinois' first accredited cannabis associate degree at a community college, building partnerships that prepare students for six-figure careers, or creating programs that serve incarcerated individuals and high school students alike, Hollingsworth's philosophy remains the same.

"Education should change lives," she said. "It should create opportunities for people who may not have believed those opportunities existed."

That commitment has positioned Olive-Harvey College as one of the state's most innovative community colleges. In 2022, Olive-Harvey became the first community college in Illinois to offer an accredited associate degree in cannabis studies. The program combines classroom instruction with hands-on cultivation experience inside the college's state-of-the-art greenhouse while emphasizing social equity for communities disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs. But cannabis education is only one piece of a much larger vision.

Recognizing growing workforce demands, Hollingsworth established Olive-Harvey's Urban Agriculture department and has continued expanding programs tied directly to employer needs. A first in City College history, her college offers a forklift certification program in partnership with Cook County Corrections, allowing incarcerated individuals to earn industry-recognized credentials before returning to their communities. Building on that success, she is now launching forklift certification, for the first time at her South Chicago campus, for high school students, helping them gain workforce skills before graduation.

Under her leadership, Olive-Harvey also developed a no-cost* criminal justice pathway that allows students to earn an associate’s degree while preparing for careers in law enforcement. Students who complete the program and pursue careers as Chicago police officers can also have the Chicago Police Academy entrance examination waived.

Understanding that career pathways should begin early, Hollingsworth established a barbering program for high school students, giving them the opportunity to graduate with marketable skills and industry credentials.

She has also forged partnerships with logistics, transportation and advanced manufacturing employers—including Rivian, trucking companies and aviation technology organizations—to prepare students for careers that often begin at more than $50,000 annually with benefits and healthcare. Those collaborations simultaneously help employers address critical workforce shortages while providing graduates with immediate career opportunities.

Today, Hollingsworth is overseeing development of Olive-Harvey's engineering science program, which will provide students with guaranteed admission pathways into nationally recognized engineering schools. She is also leading development of the college's emerging quantum education program, positioning students for careers in one of the nation's fastest-growing technology sectors.

Her commitment to expanding access extends into aviation as well. Through a partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration, Olive-Harvey is introducing more underrepresented students to careers in air traffic control, opening doors to professions that can grow into six-figure careers.

Those efforts have contributed to increased student enrollment as more learners seek programs that connect directly to employment and long-term career success.

“Like Eastern Illinois University, Olive-Harvey College is focused on outcomes,” Hollingsworth said. “While the educational and cultural value of higher education is an asset to its students and communities unto itself, institutions of higher learning must also continue to demonstrate the returns of their investments through career placement in high-demand and lucrative livelihoods.”

“Dr. Hollingsworth’s affiliation with EIU underscores Eastern’s commitment to and impact across Illinois,” said EIU President Dr. Jay Gatrell. “Her leadership at Olive-Harvey College speaks to the contributions, opportunities, and outcomes EIU and other Illinois institutions of higher education are providing students across the State to enhance and sustain a thriving Illinois.”

As president and CEO of Olive-Harvey College, Hollingsworth oversees an institution serving more than 6,000 students annually. She leads more than 400 faculty and staff while managing a $23 million budget and advancing partnerships with schools, universities, businesses and community organizations throughout Chicago.

Her leadership reflects a philosophy rooted in inclusion, collaboration and service—values she says were reinforced during her time at Eastern Illinois University.

"EIU helped shape my understanding that leadership is ultimately about serving others," Hollingsworth said. "The experiences I had there taught me that education isn't simply about earning a degree—it's about empowering people, strengthening communities and creating opportunities that can change generations."

Today, that belief continues to guide every initiative she champions.

From workforce training and innovative academic programs to partnerships that remove barriers and create new opportunities, Hollingsworth has built a legacy centered on expanding access to education and ensuring students can see a clear pathway from the classroom to meaningful careers.

For Eastern Illinois University, her accomplishments stand as an example of how Panther graduates continue making a lasting impact in Illinois and beyond—transforming institutions, strengthening communities and opening doors for future generations through the power of education.

EIU prepares students to accomplish their life goals through a combination of quality academics, personal relationships, and both on-campus and online learning opportunities. For more information about Eastern Illinois University, including its broad array of academic and career readiness programs, community-based services and opportunities, visit Eastern Illinois University or call EIU’s public information office at (217) 581-7400.