James McHale writes on resources for students in Mississippi who are applying to college.
James McHale
James E. McHale is President and CEO of the Woodward Hines Education Foundation (WHEF), and the Mississippi Higher Education Assistance Corporation based in Jackson, Mississippi.
Woodward Hines is an independent foundation committed to helping more Mississippians obtain postsecondary credentials, college certifications, and degrees that lead to meaningful employment.
As President of WHEF since December of 2015, McHale has led the organization’s efforts to provide support to specific education initiatives in Mississippi by identifying and providing support for programs focused on helping more individuals obtain a postsecondary degree or credential.
James McHale earned his Masters of Management from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan and a Bachelor’s of Science from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo.
McHale has significant foundation experience, having been employed in the industry for over 25 years. He has served in several senior leadership roles, including Senior Vice President for Programs, Chief of Staff, and Vice President for Program Strategies with W.K. Kellogg Foundation in Battle Creek, Michigan where he worked for over 20 years.
He has led a successful rebrand and corporate name change of the organization from Education Services Foundation to the Woodward Hines Education Foundation in 2017. This new name honors the vision and legacy of Jack Woodward and J. Herman Hines, both Mississippians who were instrumental in originally forming the foundation as a catalyst for improving access to postsecondary education for residents across the state. This change also acknowledges the process of the organization transitioning into a grant making foundation.
Under his leadership, WHEF has worked to scale its flagship program—Get2College—in an effort to increase postsecondary access and attainment among populations that have typically been underrepresented in higher education. Through direct services and partnerships, WHEF provides free college planning services to more than 45,000 Mississippians each year.
McHale also led conversations with state and national leaders about the importance of establishing a postsecondary attainment goal in Mississippi. In October 2020, the goal—Ascent to 55%--was officially adopted.
Since its inception, WHEF has worked to increase college access and entry for young people in Mississippi and has expanded that work to support promising practices that lead to college persistence and completion. The foundation seeks a Mississippi where all people can secure the training and education beyond high school that will allow them to advance their quality of life, strengthen their communities, and contribute to a vibrant and prosperous future for the state of Mississippi.