Jim Larimore
Chief Officer
ACT Center for Equity in Learning
San Diego, CA USA
“Don’t let anyone deny you the opportunity to learn. Your purpose in getting an education is to become the most formidable human being you can become.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationJim Larimore
Milestones
My road in life has taken me all over.
Born and raised in Texas.
My siblings and I were the first people in my family to earn college degrees.
Attended Texas A&M University—I actually quit college about six or seven times because I kept running out of money.
Got a job as a resident assistant in a dorm on campus, which reduced my tuition and gave me a free place to live, allowing me to complete my degree in criminal justice and sociology.
My original goal was to work in juvenile probation, but through a series of random turns, I found my way into working in education—received my master’s degree in education from Stanford.
After graduating, my higher-education career began in the admissions office of Dartmouth College recruiting Native American high school students from the southwest of the U.S.
For the last 30 years, I've been the dean of a number of institutions, including Dartmouth, Swarthmore College, and Amherst; also served as a deputy director at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
I am now the chief officer of the ACT Center for Equity in Learning, where I direct their strategy to close gaps in opportunity, achievement, and equity for all students.
Education
High School
Bachelor
Sociology
Texas A & M University-Commerce
Sociology
Texas A & M University-Commerce
Career
Chief Officer
I lead a team that leverages ACT research & partnerships to increase opportunity & support for underserved learners.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Education
Business
Helping People
Day to Day
No day is ever the same. In the Center for Equity in Learning, we work with colleagues across the ACT organization because we are trying to build things to help improve learning outcomes and level the playing field for all students. We seek out partnerships with other organizations and schools to help out different communities. It involves a lot of teamwork, project planning, networking, etc.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for everyone
Seek out mentors, friends, family, or anyone who will believe in you. Having a strong support structure is essential to success. Recognize that it is your education and take ownership of that. Take the initiative to learn.
Hurdles
Challenges I Overcame
First-Generation College Student
School Stress
Financial
