MISSION AND

HISTORY

The OMD student support model changes the lives of the students we serve, as well as the educational systems we work within.

Our Mission statement

One Million Degrees accelerates community college students’ progress on career pathways to economic mobility.  

Our History 

Formerly the Illinois Education Foundation, One Million Degrees was founded in 2006 by a group of social entrepreneurs who understood the specific challenges facing a uniquely overlooked student population – community college students.   

 

Recognizing that most students were under-supported and determined to change the odds, our founders developed a unique and successful program to provide support that makes a meaningful difference.  

Michael B Golden headshot
Michael B. Golden

One Million Degrees Co-Founder 

Rose Lizarraga
Rose Lizarraga

One Million Degrees Co-founder 

David Scherer
David Scherer

One Million Degrees Co-founder 

Did you know that only 1 in 4 community college students graduates within three years of beginning their degree?

One Million Degrees is changing these odds

Consider coaching an OMD scholar!

One Million Degrees Coaches act as a sounding board, thought partner, and cheerleader for OMD scholars.  

 

By volunteering just a few hours throughout the academic year, you can make a lasting difference in a scholar’s life and career. OMD provides the training and tools for coaches to effectively support our hardworking scholars.  

 

Learn More

Today, One Million Degrees Scholars are graduating at roughly twice the state average and are equipped with the skills necessary to help them reach their full potential in school, in work, and in life.

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Michael B. Golden

One Million Degrees Co-Founder 

A former national award-winning broadcast journalist, Michael Golden has also served as a political campaign manager and communications strategist for U.S. Presidential, Senate and Congressional races. Michael is a fellow at the British-American Project and the Open Society Institute. In 1999, Michael’s investigative and public affairs reporting for NBC earned him honors from the Society of Professional Journalists, the AP, and the Edward R. Murrow Awards. In 2011, Michael co-founded Newsbound, Inc., a media and software company based in San Francisco, CA. He is also a co-founder of the Complete the Degree back-to-college initiative in Chicago, Illinois. Michael serves on the board of the ADL and on the governing board of the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, as well as the Illinois Commission to Eliminate Poverty. He received his B.A. from Indiana University, and his M.S. in Public Services Management from DePaul University.

Rose Lizarraga

Rose Lizarraga

One Million Degrees Co-founder 

An award-winning documentary filmmaker and freelance writer, Rose’s career also includes 10 years spent developing new product and brand strategies as well as marketing and advertising campaigns at Leo Burnett, Foote, Cone & Belding, M&M/Mars and other small businesses.  More recently, she worked as a writer/editor for Modern Luxury Inc., publishers of magazines such as CS and Angeleno.  Rose graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor with dual degrees in English and Political Science.  She is a founding member of the Daniel M. Kerrane, Jr. Foundation, former Board Vice President of the Fairy Godmother Foundation, and currently serves on the Chicago committee for Human Rights Watch.

David Scherer

David Scherer

One Million Degrees Co-founder 

David is principal of Origin, co-chairs the Investment Committee, and oversees investment analysis, acquisition and asset management. He has more than 20 years of experience in real estate investing, finance, and asset management. In 2006, he co-founded One Million Degrees, which has raised $20 million to help low-income community college students graduate and successfully enter the workforce. David has served as the organization’s Board Chair for the past 12 years, as the organization has grown from 30 to 1,000 students served per year. He also serves as the President of the Harvard Club of Chicago and is on the Advisory Board of Invest for Kids.  

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