Join us at the 2024 DOI Gala Event

Current
Coaches

OMD is here to support your coaching journey! Check SDS dates with our Program Calendar, learn how to refer a friend to be an OMD coach, and reach out with any questions.

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BECOME AN OMD COACH

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Coach a scholar, support your community

One Million Degrees Coaches act as a sounding board, thought partner, and cheerleader for OMD Scholars. By volunteering just a few hours a month, you can make a lasting difference in a Scholar’s life and career.
BECOME A COACH

Coach program calendars

We look forward to seeing you at SDS sessions!
Have questions? Email us for more information.
Contact us

SESSIONS WILL TAKE PLACE IN-PERSON AT THE CAMPUS LOCATION YOU HAVE CHOSEN:

Harold Washington College: 30 E Lake St, Chicago, IL 60601
Kennedy-King College: 6301 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60621
Malcolm X College: 1900 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60612
Olive-Harvey College: 10001 S Woodlawn Ave, Chicago, IL 60628
Harry S. Truman College: 1145 W Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL 60640
Richard J. Daley College: 7500 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60652
Wilbur Wright College: 4300 N Narragansett Ave, Chicago, IL 60634

SELECT A COLLEGE

CHOOSE A TYPE

Program Calendar Location
In Person
October

Wilbur Wright College Session I

October 5th, 2024

Year 1 Scholars:
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Year 2 Scholars:
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Coaches:
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Please plan to arrive 20 minutes before your program's start time to check in.

In Person
November

Wilbur Wright College Session II

November 9th, 2024

Year 1 Scholars:
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Year 2 Scholars:
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Coaches:
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Please plan to arrive 20 minutes before your program's start time to check in.

In Person
January

Wilbur Wright College Session III

January 25th, 2025

Year 1 Scholars:
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Year 2 Scholars:
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Coaches:
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Please plan to arrive 20 minutes before your program's start time to check in.

In Person
March

Wilbur Wright College Session IV

March 8th, 2025

Year 1 Scholars:
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Year 2 Scholars:
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Coaches:
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Please plan to arrive 20 minutes before your program's start time to check in.

In Person
April

Wilbur Wright College Session V

April 26th, 2025

Year 1 Scholars:
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Year 2 Scholars:
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Coaches:
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Please plan to arrive 20 minutes before your program's start time to check in.

In Person
October

Daley College Session I

October 5th, 2024

Year 1 Scholars:
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Year 2 Scholars:
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Coaches:
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Please plan to arrive 20 minutes before your program's start time to check in.

In Person
November

Daley College Session II

November 9th, 2024

Year 1 Scholars:
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Year 2 Scholars:
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Coaches:
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Please plan to arrive 20 minutes before your program's start time to check in.

In Person
January

Daley College Session III

January 25th, 2025

Year 1 Scholars:
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Year 2 Scholars:
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Coaches:
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Please plan to arrive 20 minutes before your program's start time to check in.

In Person
March

Daley College Session IV

March 8th, 2025

Year 1 Scholars:
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Year 2 Scholars:
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Coaches:
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Please plan to arrive 20 minutes before your program's start time to check in.

LET’S ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS

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Ready to kickstart your educational journey?

If you’re interested in becoming an OMD scholar, we want to make the process as easy as possible. Check out our frequently asked questions below
How are students selected to become scholars?

The process to become an OMD scholar depends on whether you’ve met our eligibility requirements and on which City College of Chicago (CCC) campus you attend.

If you attend Olive-Harvey or Malcolm X Colleges and meet OMD eligibility requirements, you are considered opted in to OMD scholar supports and should have received communications about accessing our program. If you have not received that information, Please CALL TO ACTION TBD.

If you attend Harold Washington, Kennedy King, Richard J. Daley, Truman, or Wilbur Wright Colleges and meet OMD eligibility requirements, you’ll need to fill out an application. Accepted students must then move through our provisional acceptance process while the limited open spots at the campus they will be attending are available. Spots in our program are open on a first to register full time, complete our onboarding steps, ensure they have resolved any financial aid/CHA/or STAR requirements.

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Still have a question?

If you’d like to talk to someone on staff, please contact us.
CONTACT US

Know anyone who’s interested in coaching or want to tell your story?

 

Reach out to us and we’ll give you the tools you need!

CONTACT US
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.  

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.