Charles Thornburgh
About Charles Thornburgh
Charles Thornburgh is the Founder and Vice Chairperson of Civitas Learning and serves as a Director at the Andy Roddick Foundation and SchooLinks. With over 25 years of experience in education technology, he focuses on enhancing educational outcomes through data and cognitive science.
Current Roles and Responsibilities
Charles Thornburgh serves as the Director at the Andy Roddick Foundation since 2016, contributing to initiatives that support youth development in the Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area. He also holds the position of Director at SchooLinks since 2020, focusing on enhancing educational pathways for students. Additionally, he is the Founder and Vice Chairperson of Civitas Learning, a company he established to apply machine learning and artificial intelligence in improving graduation rates in higher education. Since 2020, he has been the Founder and CEO of Kinjo, further expanding his impact in the education sector. Thornburgh has also been involved with United Way for Greater Austin as a Director since 2018.
Career Background
Charles Thornburgh has over 25 years of experience in the education sector, with a focus on leveraging technology and data to foster student success. He began his career by developing K12 study skills software and co-founded ClickSafety, where he worked for nine years. He held various leadership roles at Kaplan, Inc., including Division President and Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. Prior to his current roles, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of Civitas Learning from 2011 to 2019, where he laid the groundwork for the company's mission to enhance educational outcomes.
Educational Background
Charles Thornburgh completed his high school education at Lowell High School from 1987 to 1991. He then attended Stanford University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from 1991 to 1995. His educational background has informed his approach to integrating cognitive and behavioral science into educational experiences.
Achievements in Education Technology
As the Founder of Civitas Learning, Charles Thornburgh has been instrumental in utilizing advanced technologies to address challenges in higher education. His work focuses on improving graduation rates through data-driven insights. Thornburgh's experience includes creating both online public and private K12 schools, demonstrating his commitment to enhancing educational access and quality. His leadership roles across various organizations reflect his dedication to building educational businesses that prioritize student success.
Previous Experience
Before his current endeavors, Charles Thornburgh held significant positions in various educational organizations. He worked at Kaplan K12 Learning Services as Vice President of Online Services from 2002 to 2005. He also served as Director at Aceable from 2014 to 2023, contributing to the development of online education solutions. His extensive background includes leadership roles that have shaped his approach to education and technology integration.