2023
Olive-Harvey College

Meet Stephanie Meeks

Olive-Harvey College Valedictorian, 2023 | Current Scholar, Malcolm X College

As an Olive-Harvey graduate and current Malcolm X scholar, Stephanie knows the impact of OMD’s support first-hand. Her academic journey over the past two years has had its ups and downs. Psychology class posed a challenge, but Stephanie found support in OMD tutoring, her Program Coordinator Melissa, and the CCC registrar’s office. A recent highlight for Stephanie was being named Olive-Harvey’s 2023 valedictorian. 

“I love to relive the experience of being OHC’s 2023 valedictorian. Being recognized was such a good feeling.”

After attaining her associate degree in psychology in December 2022, Stephanie is continuing her studies at Malcolm X College. She was inspired to enroll in the Medical Assisting program after seeing the impact her mother and sister have had in the medical field. “I have learned a lot as a person, as a woman of color, scholar, and sibling,” Stephanie says. 

“I’ve grown a lot—and I haven’t stopped.” 

 “Life can be challenging. Having someone there for you makes all the difference.”

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.