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Join the Associate Board

The One Million Degrees Associate Board is comprised of early-to-mid career professionals who want to make a tangible impact by supporting Chicago community college students as they build career pathways toward greater economic mobility for themselves and their family.

  • FY27 Term: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027
  • New Member Applications: June 22 – July 11, 2026
Apply Now
Learn More

Associate Board

EMPOWER FUTURES

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HOW THE AB SUPPORTS OMD

Support Scholars

Through coaching, panel participation & networking

Elevate OMD visibility

Through donor and volunteer engagement

Engage community members

In OMD’s mission across Chicago

GET INVOLVED

What to expect as a new Associate Board Member

Whether you’re applying to The Associate Board or returning for another year, here’s a snapshot at expectations, subcommittee opportunities and key dates for 2026-27

Apply Now

Join a Subcommittee

As a new member, you’ll select one subcommittee based on your interests, skills, and availability. This becomes your home base on the board.

Scholar Support & Program Engagement – Goal: Deliver one board-supported scholar engagement activity

Fundraising & Partnerships – Goal: Lead one Associate Board fundraising campaign

Community Building & Events – Goal: Host one professional development workshop for board members

Member Commitments

1

Join one subcommittee aligned with your interests and availability

2

Attend quarterly board meetings (4 per year)

3

Support annual board initiatives and campaigns

4

Serve as an OMD ambassador in your professional network

5

Participate in volunteer, fundraising, or scholar engagement opportunities

Join a Subcommittee

As a new member, you’ll select one subcommittee based on your interests, skills, and availability. This becomes your home base on the board.
 
  • Scholar Support & Program Engagement – Goal: Deliver one board-supported scholar engagement activity
  • Fundraising & Partnerships – Goal: Lead one Associate Board fundraising campaign
  • Community Building & Events – Goal: Host one professional development workshop for board members

Member Commitments

  1. Join one subcommittee aligned with your interests and availability
  2. Attend quarterly board meetings (4 per year)
  3. Support annual board initiatives and campaigns
  4. Serve as an OMD ambassador in your professional network
  5. Participate in volunteer, fundraising, or scholar engagement opportunities

STEPS NEEDED

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HOW MEMBERS EARN CREDIT

Minimum 10 points required for active member status. Participation is flexible and recognizes the many ways members contribute — there’s no single right way to hit your points.

APPLY TO BE A COACH
1
Active Coach (min. 3 of 5 meetings attended)

5 pts – 1 pt per meeting attended

2
Recommend a new volunteer (coach or panelist)

2 pts

3
Attend quarterly AB meetings

4 pts – 1 pt per meeting (4 total)

4
Attend / volunteer at ≥1 OMD event

1 pt (Scholar or volunteer events count)

5
Procure additional in-kind donation

2 pts

6
Opt-into $150 membership dues

1 pt

WHY JOIN?

01

Support Scholars

Mentor students, volunteer at events, and help prepare scholars for successful careers.

 

02

Grow Your Impact

Use your skills to plan events, raise funds, and connect OMD with new corporate and community partners.

03

Build Your Network

Join a diverse group of professionals passionate about education, equity, and opportunity.

New Member Timeline

01

Career Exposure Opportunities

Encourage students to explore different career options and identify pathways by hosting or taking part in OMD events like: 

  • Career Exploration Panels 
  • Speed Networking 
  • Wisdom in the Workplace  
01

June 22 – July 11, 2026:

New Member Application Window

02

July 11–25, 2026:

 Applications reviewed by the OMD Partnerships Team

03

August 6, 2026:

Quarterly Meeting #1 — your first official meeting, with new member welcome & onboarding

04

Ongoing:

Connect with your subcommittee lead, set your participation goals, and start earning points toward Good Standing

05

Quarterly Board Meetings:

a. Summer – 8/6/26

b. Fall – 11/12/26

c. Winter – 3/12/27

d. Spring – 6/12/27

Want to learn more?

Come to our next Associate Board Happy Hour to network and meet OMD staff.

RSVP TODAY

Ready to get involved? Fill out our Associate Board application below and we'll be in touch.

Meet
the Associate Board

The One Million Degrees Associate Board is a community of emerging leaders committed to educational equity and career opportunity for Chicago’s community college scholars. Members support OMD’s mission through volunteerism, fundraising, and events, all while building their leadership skills and professional network. If you’re interested in learning more about the Associate Board or getting involved, please email Grace Oxley at omdassociateboard@onemilliondegrees.org.

OMD Associate Board 2026-27 Application

About The Board
One Million Degrees · Associate BoardOMD 20th Anniversary Logo
FY27 New Member Application

Join a community of emerging leaders investing in OMD scholars.

FY27 Term: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 Application Window: June 15 – July 11, 2026 (Rolling)
Thank you for your interest in the One Million Degrees Associate Board. Please review the information below before completing the application below.
About OMD & The Associate Board
Who We Are

One Million Degrees (OMD) is a Chicago-based nonprofit providing wraparound support to community college students — helping them complete degrees and launch careers. The Associate Board is a community of emerging professionals committed to advancing OMD's mission through volunteerism, fundraising, advocacy, and professional engagement.

As a member, you will contribute through Time, Talent, and Treasure — by connecting scholars to opportunities, building community, and helping OMD grow its impact across Chicago.

FY26 Impact Snapshot
$15,000+
Raised through the Scholar Storytelling Campaign
42
Donors engaged
  • OMD visibility elevated through donor and volunteer engagement across Chicago
FY27 Board Structure
Three Subcommittees

All members join one subcommittee annually based on interests, skills, and availability. The Partnerships Team approves and assigns subcommittees accordingly.

Scholar Support & Program Engagement

Coordinate coaching initiatives, career panels, and Scholar Development Sessions (SDS). Help design events that enhance scholar workforce readiness, such as resume workshops and speed networking.

FY27 Goal:Deliver one board-supported scholar engagement activity
 
Fundraising & Partnerships

Serve as liaisons for philanthropic engagement with corporations and your networks to support fundraising goals, secure sponsorships, and connect corporate partners to volunteer opportunities.

FY27 Goal:Lead one Associate Board fundraising campaign
 
Community Building & Events

Plan, volunteer, and manage events that build community among staff, alumni, and volunteers. Organize professional development workshops for Associate Board members and further community-building initiatives.

FY27 Goal:Host one professional development workshop for board members
Member Commitment
Participation Expectations & Good Standing

Members are expected to earn a minimum of 10 out of 15 available participation points to maintain Good Standing. Participation is flexible and recognizes the many ways members contribute throughout the year.

ActivityPtsNotes
Active Coach (min. 3 of 5 SDS meetings attended)51 pt per session attended
Attend Quarterly AB Meetings41 pt per meeting (4 total)
Recommend a New Volunteer (coach, board member, or panelist)2Per referral
Attend / Volunteer at ≥1 OMD Event1Scholar or volunteer events count
Procure Additional In-Kind Donation2Per donation
Opt-in to $150 Membership Dues1—
Total Available Points15Minimum required: 10 pts for Good Standing
FY27 Leadership
Executive Committee & Leadership Roles

The Executive Committee consists of five roles selected by the Partnerships Team based on member interest, FY26 engagement, and demonstrated commitment. New members are welcome to express interest for consideration.

Board Chair Vice Chair
 
Scholar Support & Program Engagement Lead Fundraising & Partnerships Lead
 
Community Building & Events Lead
Your Path To Joining
FY27 Recruitment Timeline & Key Dates

Here is the full timeline from recruitment through your first year on the board. Save these dates!

DateMilestone
June 15 – July 11, 2026New Member Application Window Open (Rolling selection)
June 30, 2026FY27 Leadership Selections Finalized
July 1, 2026FY27 Associate Board Term Begins
July 11, 2026New Member Application Deadline
July 11–25, 2026Final Application Review by OMD Partnerships Team (reviewed on a rolling basis)
July 28, 2026Executive Committee Annual Planning Meeting
August 6, 2026Quarterly Associate Board Meeting #1 — New Member Welcome & Onboarding
November 12, 2026Quarterly Associate Board Meeting #2 (Fall)
January 7, 2027Executive Committee Mid-Year Check-In
March 12, 2027Quarterly Associate Board Meeting #3 (Winter)
June 12, 2027Quarterly Associate Board Meeting #4 & Year-End Celebration
June 30, 2027FY27 Associate Board Term Ends

Excludes subcommittee meetings, Scholar Development Sessions (SDS), and optional OMD community events.

Getting Started
What To Expect As A New Member
Onboarding
  • Receive a welcome email and FY27 Member Guide & Participation Framework
  • Attend your first official meeting at Quarterly Meeting #1 and New Member Orientation on August 6, 2026
 
Throughout The Year
  • Participate in your subcommittee's one annual initiative
  • Attend 4 quarterly board meetings (Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring)
  • Engage with OMD scholars, coaches, donors, and community partners as an OMD advocate
  • Receive regular updates from the Partnerships Team via email and group chat
 
Membership Dues
  • Annual dues are $150 (give/get format), due by June 30, 2027
  • Opting in to dues earns 1 participation point toward Good Standing
Questions?Contact the Partnerships Team at GOxley@onemilliondegrees.org or Jatienowalker@onemilliondegrees.org
One Million Degrees · Associate BoardFY27 New Member Application
onemilliondegrees.org/associate-board
One Million Degrees · Associate Board · FY27










Statement of Interest






Looking into 2027






Acknowledgment


By submitting this form, I affirm my interest in supporting One Million Degrees and its scholars through Associate Board membership in FY27. I understand the expectations for participation and will contribute in ways that align with my interests, skills, and capacity.


I also acknowledge that photographs and/or video may be taken during board activities and may be used by OMD for communications and promotional purposes.

Contact Information

David Scherer

David Scherer, Treasurer

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.  

Rose Lizarraga

Rose Lizarraga

OMD CO-Founder & President & CEO, Lysa LLC

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.

Michael B Golden

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.