One Goal continues to provide college access to low income students

Nicole Taylor is the Director of Site Director Coaching, National Program Team at One Goal. PHOTO PROVIDED BY NICOLE TAYLOR.
Nicole Taylor is the Director of Site Director Coaching, National Program Team at One Goal. PHOTO PROVIDED BY NICOLE TAYLOR.

 One Goal continues to provide college access to low income students

By Tia Carol Jones

For 15 years, One Goal has been supporting students in their quest to get to college, with one-on-one advising that provides a unique plan that fits the student’s needs.

One Goal is a national organization that began in Chicago, as an afterschool program with 32 students. Since then, it has grown significantly to support more than 15,000 students across the nation. Its purpose is to ensure students receive the support they need and this is done by One Goal by reimagining what support looks like.

According to Nicole Taylor, Director of Site Director Coaching, National Team at One Goal, the average student only receives 38 minutes of advising per year. With One Goal, students receive ongoing advising, with a focus on whether a college is an academic fit for them and whether it fits their financial resources.

“As we all know, getting to college, or postsecondary pathways in general … but getting to that point where you want to be … it’s really, really important and it requires true effort,” Taylor said. Students also receive completion support once they are in college, which comes in the form of emergency funds, peer mentoring and other support.

One Goal is equaling the playing field. While all students have postsecondary aspirations, students from certain communities don’t have access to the opportunities can put them on a positive trajectory. One Goal supports students to do the college research earlier.

It enables students to work toward a goal of reaching their desired grade point average. 

The result is that students in the program are more competitive for colleges and they have more options and opportunities as they plan what life after high school looks like.

In situations where financial affordability is a barrier in getting to college, One Goal helps students figure out what it will take for them to get to college – scholarships, grants or whatever support they need – or other postsecondary pathways – trade school.

The classroom-based model is a culturally relevant online based curriculum that meets students where they are. They can access the program wherever they are. The lessons are intertwined with one-on-one advising. In Chicago, there are 24 specific One Goal partnerships that will support the students through school.

“We’re going to set you up for success and this makes college more affordable for our students, which is a really, really big deal in making sure they’re successful,” Taylor said.

 One Goal’s Leadership Network is a resource that takes the work districtwide, it includes assessment and planning, strategic coaching and looks at increasing scale.

Taylor has been in education for 14 years and her passion is serving underrepresented students. While her work with Chicago Public Schools was more student-facing, she has brought her experience from her past roles to One Goal. She has expanded her work to curriculum and programmatic outcomes.

What sits with her the most is sitting with students where they have “aha” moments. She has also been able to incorporate Historically Black College and Universities, as well as non-traditional opportunities to the One Goal framework for school districts.

If school districts are interested in bringing the One Goal program to their school, they can visit  www.onegoal.org.

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