Who We Are
One Million Degrees (OMD) is a nonprofit organization in the greater Chicago area that works to accelerate community college students’ progress on pathways to economic mobility. OMD believes that when given a solid system of support, every student has the ability to reach his or her full personal and professional potential. Since 2006, OMD has provided critical supports to help empower hundreds of community college students to succeed in the classroom and beyond. One Million Degrees Scholars are graduating at roughly two times the state average and are equipped with the skills necessary to help them reach their full potential in school, in work, and in life.
What We Do
OMD provides a variety of holistic supports—financial assistance, student coaching, academic interventions and professional development—to hundreds of community college students across 10 Chicago-area community colleges each year. Our program at Harper College in Palatine plans to serve over 200 students this upcoming academic year. Our OMD Coaches provide professional insights, model professional norms and behaviors, and encourage scholars through challenges and setbacks. They assist scholars in thoughtful goal-setting, celebrate successes with their scholar and ensure they do not fall short of their potential. OMD is one of the only organizations in the country working directly and exclusively with underserved community college students. Upon completion, scholars transfer to four-year colleges and universities to earn their bachelor’s degrees and enter the workforce in high-demand fields, such as health care, IT and engineering. OMD Scholars build better futures for themselves, their families and their communities, while helping to strengthen the local and national economy.
