Local nonprofit recruiting professionals to mentor community college scholars

Local nonprofit recruiting professionals to mentor community college scholars

One Million Degrees (OMD), a Chicago nonprofit organization that empowers low-income, highly motivated community college students to succeed in school, in work, and in life—is now accepting applications for its volunteer coaches.

OMD Coaches work with scholars in a one-on-one and small group setting to provide professional and personal support throughout the academic year, while helping to broaden scholars’ horizons of career aspirations and possibilities.

Coaches are supported with ongoing training by OMD to ensure a positive and productive volunteer experience, and also have opportunities to connect with fellow coaches to expand their own professional networks.

Coaches give just a few hours each month and make a profound difference in the lives of OMD Scholars. “I have loved my mentee and everything about my mentoring experience at OMD,” said coach Neha Gupta, HR Specialist at PwC, “The two hours I spend monthly with my mentee are easily the two most meaningful hours of my month!”

OMD provides a variety of holistic supports—financial assistance, mentoring, academic interventions and professional development—to hundreds of community college students across 10 Chicago-area community colleges each year. It is one of the only organizations in the country working directly with low-income community college students.

OMD Scholars graduate from college at over two times the national average. Upon completion, its 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.

During the 2018-2019 academic year, OMD served over 800 scholars across all of its program locations, and continues to grow. Coaching sessions take place on community college campuses in Chicago, including Kennedy King College in Englewood and Olive-Harvey College in Pullman.

Learn more about coaching and apply at www.onemilliondegrees.org/coach. For questions about the program or applications, call Michaela McGill at 312-920-9605 ext. 310 or send an email to mmcgill@onemilliondegrees.org.

To learn more about One Million Degrees, please visit www.onemilliondegrees.org.

Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

Quandra-Urban Market Exchange