Latest news with #OneMillionDegrees
Chicago Tribune
23-07-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Advocates: 20% of college students are parents. Here's how we can do more to help them.
The latest national report on students who left college without earning a degree contains some sobering data: Approximately 2.1 million students stopped higher education between January 2022 and July 2023, swelling the 'some college-no degree' population to more than 43 million Americans. What's contributing to this national crisis is a higher education system that's no longer designed for what has become a traditional college student. Colleges used to be filled with students who attended class every day, could study with friends every night and go to parties on weekends because they had so few responsibilities. But for about 3 million students who are also parents, the reality is much different. These student-parents are balancing coursework with working full time, picking up their children from school and studying for long hours after their families are asleep. They're putting in every ounce of effort to obtain a certificate or college degree because they believe an education will greatly improve their lives. While 1 in 5 undergraduates are raising a child while enrolled in college, higher education remains largely structured around the needs of students without caregiving responsibilities. The outcomes speak for themselves: Just 18% of student-parents earn a degree within six years. This disparity is not a reflection of ability or ambition. It is the result of a series of obstacles — rigid class schedules, unaffordable child care, the cost of tuition and books, and the strain on mental health — that make balancing school with work, caregiving and other responsibilities nearly impossible. Without targeted support, these highly motivated learners are being set up to fail. Addressing these challenges is especially critical because student-parents are among those who stand to benefit the most from earning a degree. Data from the Institute for Women's Policy Research reveals that for every additional level of education, poverty rates for single mothers declined by an average of 33%. Yet many colleges still lack tailored resources for student-parents, leaving them to navigate a system that wasn't built for them. Just consider the impressively demanding schedules many of these learners manage each day. Student-parents often experience what researchers call 'time poverty' because there are quite literally not enough hours in the day. More than one-third of student-parents work full time. Research shows that, after work and child care responsibilities, students with preschool-aged children are left with just 10 hours per day in which they must cram in sleeping, eating and studying. Institutions and state higher education systems must move away from one-size-fits-all approaches and adopt policies that reflect the realities of student-parents' lives. For example, One Million Degrees — a Chicago-based nonprofit that uses a mix of advising, mentoring, career services and financial aid to help community college students graduate — has seen just how critical flexible scheduling can be for student-parents. Nearly one-third of our participants chose evening or weekend time slots in our recent onboarding process. Many were parents of young children who could only attend intake meetings after their children were asleep. Several told us that without these options, they might not have been able to participate at all. Greater flexibility alone isn't enough, however. Nearly one-third of student-parents live at or near the poverty line. Institutions are finding that one of the most effective ways to support these students is also deceptively straightforward: providing direct financial assistance when they need it most. Rapid, one-time financial support has proved to be a powerful tool for preventing financial setbacks from derailing a student's education. Emergency grants offer immediate relief for urgent expenses such as rent, utilities or unexpected car repairs. They prevent a short-term challenge from snowballing into a long-term crisis. A flat tire or an unexpected child care closure should not force a determined student-parent to drop out. A growing number of states and institutions are implementing interventions to help student-parents stay on track. In California and Texas, priority class registration now gives student-parents the ability to build course schedules that fit their busy lives. City Colleges of Chicago has expanded wraparound support for student-parents across the system. At Olive-Harvey College, students now have access to a child care center, children's clothing and other child care items. The college's student support office is also experimenting with flexible service hours to better accommodate students' needs. Hope Chicago is taking a two-generation approach to breaking through the barriers created by poverty for parent learners by providing scholarships plus critical wraparound support to recent high school graduates and one of their parents or guardians. For every $1 invested, the program generates a powerful economic return of 400% in economic and societal benefits, including increased family earnings and improved health outcomes. Most student-parents would only pursue a degree or certification in an in-demand field — such as health care, technology, business, education and the skilled trades — that will translate directly into a well-paying career. Institutions looking to expand their student-parent population should offer programs in these fields alongside paid apprenticeships and internships that will help them gain hands-on, marketable skills. Fulfilling the promise of higher education for student-parents yields substantial returns by enhancing their career prospects and strengthening the economic vitality and fiscal health of their families and communities. Student-parents represent a massive pool of untapped talent; they have the drive and determination to succeed. It's time for higher education to meet them where they are and provide the support they need to not only enroll but ultimately reach the finish line. Rita Raichoudhuri is the chief programs officer for One Million Degrees. Michele Howard is the chief program officer of Hope Chicago.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
University of Illinois System launches pilot program to boost community college transfers
The University of Illinois System announced Wednesday the launch of a pilot program aimed at increasing the number of students transferring from community colleges to four-year universities. The program aims to lower barriers and provide targeted career advising to low-income and first-generation college students wanting to transfer to four-year schools. While 81% of community college students say receiving a bachelor's degree is their goal, only 31% of students transfer to a four-year institution to attain it. This program aims to increase that number. In collaboration with One Million Degrees, a Chicago-based nonprofit supporting community college students, the program will 'unlock opportunities that will fuel our state's workforce and economic future,' the University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen said in a news release. 'We are highly motivated to build on the momentum that we've created with Illinois' community colleges, expanding opportunities for students to not only access higher education but to thrive in rewarding careers,' Killeen said. The pilot will begin by serving 240 students from select community colleges. Students will be provided with academic and career support through their transfer to University of Illinois campuses in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield. The first cohort of students will begin in spring 2026, and the second will begin in spring 2027. The University System is working to select participating community colleges. Researchers have found that transferring from community colleges to four-year universities is one of the 'most powerful tools' to improve opportunities, especially for first-generation and low-income students. Josh Hoen, interim CEO of One Million Degrees, said in a news release, 'we cannot allow these pathways to become bridges to nowhere' for students taking the risk to transfer. 'This is about ensuring that when students bet big on themselves by pursuing a college degree, they see a powerful labor market return that will dramatically increase their career and earning potential,' Hoen said. To ensure a smooth transition into four-year institutions, One Million Degrees will provide students with support including academic coaching, financial assistance and career services. The U. of I. system will assess the pilot over the next four years and may consider expanding it beyond the initial participating community colleges to help more students, according to the news release.
Chicago Tribune
02-04-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
University of Illinois System launches pilot program to boost community college transfers
The University of Illinois System announced Wednesday the launch of a pilot program aimed at increasing the number of students transferring from community colleges to four-year universities. The program aims to lower barriers and provide targeted career advising to low-income and first-generation college students wanting to transfer to four-year schools. While 81% of community college students say receiving a bachelor's degree is their goal, only 31% of students transfer to a four-year institution to attain it. This program aims to increase that number. In collaboration with One Million Degrees, a Chicago-based nonprofit supporting community college students, the program will 'unlock opportunities that will fuel our state's workforce and economic future,' the University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen said in a news release. 'We are highly motivated to build on the momentum that we've created with Illinois' community colleges, expanding opportunities for students to not only access higher education but to thrive in rewarding careers,' Killeen said. The pilot will begin by serving 240 students from select community colleges. Students will be provided with academic and career support through their transfer to University of Illinois campuses in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield. The first cohort of students will begin in spring 2026, and the second will begin in spring 2027. The University System is working to select participating community colleges. Researchers have found that transferring from community colleges to four-year universities is one of the 'most powerful tools' to improve opportunities, especially for first-generation and low-income students. Josh Hoen, interim CEO of One Million Degrees, said in a news release, 'we cannot allow these pathways to become bridges to nowhere' for students taking the risk to transfer. 'This is about ensuring that when students bet big on themselves by pursuing a college degree, they see a powerful labor market return that will dramatically increase their career and earning potential,' Hoen said. To ensure a smooth transition into four-year institutions, One Million Degrees will provide students with support including academic coaching, financial assistance and career services. The U. of I. system will assess the pilot over the next four years and may consider expanding it beyond the initial participating community colleges to help more students, according to the news release.
Forbes
02-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
University Of Illinois To Pilot New Community College Transfer Program
The University of Illinois system is planning to pilot a new program aimed at increasing transfer ... More rates by community college students. The University of Illinois system will team up with One Million Degrees, a Chicago-based nonprofit that supports community college students, to pilot a multiyear program aimed at increasing transfer rates from community colleges to four-year universities. The program will focus on first-generation students across Illinois. Plans call for the pilot to serve as many as 240 students initially in two cohorts from Illinois community colleges selected by the university. The first cohort will be recruited this fall for a pilot beginning spring 2026, and the second cohort will start in spring 2027. The initiative will provide eligible students a comprehensive suite of wraparound support services — including academic coaching, financial assistance and career advice — as they transfer to University of Illinois System campuses in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield. The U of I system will evaluate the pilot to assess the possibility of later scaling the program beyond the initial pilot partners. The ultimate goal is to increase transfer and bachelor's degree completion rates, preparing the participants for careers in high-growth fields. 'We are highly motivated to build on the momentum that we've created with Illinois' community colleges, expanding opportunities for students to not only access higher education but to thrive in rewarding careers,' said Tim Killeen, president of the University of Illinois System, in a press release. 'Fulfilling the promise of college access and degree completion requires strong, accessible transfer pathways that connect Illinois' 48 public community colleges to our universities. This initiative will unlock opportunities that will fuel our state's workforce and economic future,' Killeen added. Like many other states, Illinois currently offers several transfer options, but historically the community college to four-year pathway has not proven to be as successful as hoped. Nationally, 81% of students who enter community college point to a bachelor's degree as their goal; however, only 31% ultimately transfer to a four-year institution. The timing of the pilot comes at an interesting time. Expanding the reach of the state's community colleges has been an aim of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who announced in his February state-of-the-state budget address that he supported legislation that would authorize Illinois community colleges to offer selected four-year degrees in fields that address local needs. "By allowing our community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees for in-demand career paths, we are making it easier and more affordable for students to advance their careers while strengthening our state's economy," Pritzker said at the time. That authorization is contained in HB 3717, which would amend the Public Community College Act and allow the board of trustees of a community college district to establish and offer a baccalaureate degree program if certain conditions are met. But that bill has hit snags in the state legislature, primarily in the form of resistance from four-year institutions who view it as an encroachment on their territory and a threat to their efforts to maintain enrollment numbers in a highly competitive environment. The U of I system's effort offers an alternative strategy — providing a comprehensive set of services that it hopes will help community college students transition smoothly into existing degree programs at four-year institutions rather than creating new baccalaureate degrees. "Transferring from community college to a four-year university is one of the most powerful strategies we know for advancing multigenerational upward mobility. But we cannot allow these pathways to become bridges to nowhere for the students who make the leap to transfer — or even enroll and complete — without progressing into a career that fully capitalizes on their unique talents and abilities,' noted Josh Hoen, interim CEO of One Million Degrees, in a press statement.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
University of Illinois System and Chicago-Based Higher Education Nonprofit Team Up to Bridge Community College Transfer Gap
A multiyear initiative will offer holistic support to help Illinois community college students transfer to bachelor's degree programs and prepare for careers in high-growth industries CHICAGO, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- One Million Degrees and the University of Illinois System, the flagship public higher education system in the state of Illinois, announced an agreement to launch a new multiyear pilot program aimed at further increasing transfer rates from community colleges to four-year universities, with a focus on first-generation students across Illinois. The comprehensive support program for low-income community college students will lower barriers to the transfer process and provide targeted career advising to help more community college transfers earn the degrees required to access careers in high-growth industries. "We are highly motivated to build on the momentum that we've created with Illinois' community colleges, expanding opportunities for students to not only access higher education but to thrive in rewarding careers," said Tim Killeen, president of the University of Illinois System. "Fulfilling the promise of college access and degree completion requires strong, accessible transfer pathways that connect Illinois' 48 public community colleges to our universities. This initiative will unlock opportunities that will fuel our state's workforce and economic future." The new One Million Degrees partnership is an extension of the longstanding commitment to improving college transfer by the University of Illinois System and the state of Illinois. Illinois offers several transfer initiatives, such as the Illinois Articulation Initiative and guaranteed transfer admission pathways aimed at streamlining credit transfer between community colleges and universities, while tools like iTransfer and Transferology make it possible for institutions to identify common and equivalent courses across multiple campuses. Education researchers and higher education leaders have long viewed transfer as one of the most powerful tools for improving upward mobility, particularly for students from first-generation and low-income backgrounds. In the past year, transfers from community colleges to four-year institutions surged by 7.7%, suggesting that more students are intent on earning bachelor's degrees. However, while 81% of students who enter community college cite a bachelor's degree as their ultimate goal, just 31% end up transferring to a four-year institution. To help close the community college transfer gap, the U of I System will partner with One Million Degrees, a Chicago-based nonprofit whose evidence-based holistic student support model has been found to significantly improve student persistence, retention and career outcomes. OMD provides a comprehensive system of wraparound support — including academic coaching, financial assistance and career services — helping community college students transition smoothly into four-year institutions and reinforcing existing programs with an emphasis on student support. "Transferring from community college to a four-year university is one of the most powerful strategies we know for advancing multigenerational upward mobility. But we cannot allow these pathways to become bridges to nowhere for the students who make the leap to transfer — or even enroll and complete — without progressing into a career that fully capitalizes on their unique talents and abilities," said Josh Hoen, interim CEO of One Million Degrees. "Ultimately, this is about ensuring that when students bet big on themselves by pursuing a college degree, they see a powerful labor market return that will dramatically increase their career and earning potential." The initiative will launch as a pilot program serving a total of 240 students in two cohorts from select Illinois community colleges, providing additional targeted academic and career support as they transfer to University of Illinois System campuses in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield. The universities are working to identify their community college partners at this time. The first cohort will be recruited this fall for a pilot that starts in spring 2026, and the second pilot cohort will begin in spring 2027. Over the next four years, the university system will evaluate the pilot and consider scaling the program beyond the initial community college partners with the goal of helping significantly increase transfer and bachelor's degree completion rates, paving the way for participants to secure high-paying jobs in growing fields. About One Million Degrees: One Million Degrees accelerates community college students' progress on career pathways to economic mobility by providing wrap-around supports to highly motivated community college students to help them succeed in school, in work, and in life. From tutors and coaches to financial assistance and professional development, OMD offers the support that empowers scholars to transform their lives and those around them for generations. OMD currently serves 871 community college scholars from under-resourced neighborhoods at 10 Chicago-area community colleges, including all seven City Colleges of Chicago. OMD partners with employers across industries to build on-ramps to in-demand jobs through new apprenticeship and credentialing programs. About University of Illinois System: The University of Illinois System is among the preeminent public university systems in the nation and the largest comprehensive system of higher education in Illinois. Composed principally of its three best-in-class universities in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago, and Springfield, the U of I System is a powerhouse for education and discovery, and is widely recognized as among the most innovative university systems in the world. The U of I System boasts leading graduate and doctoral research centers, two medical schools, two law schools, world-class engineering and business colleges, top liberal arts colleges, an urban hospital system, regional health science campuses, and educational programs available to residents of all 102 Illinois counties. View original content: SOURCE One Million Degrees Sign in to access your portfolio
