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University of Illinois System Sets Sights on Community College Transfers with One Million Degrees Partnership

In a multiyear pilot program, the University of Illinois System is working with nonprofit One Million Degrees to bridge the community college transfer gap and improve student outcomes. The project will provide support for 240 low-income community college students in the Chicago area, including career advising to help more students attain degrees and access jobs in high-demand 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," explained Tim Killeen, president of the University of Illinois System, in a statement. "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."

Beginning in spring 2026, One Million Degrees will provide a comprehensive system of wraparound support, including academic coaching, financial assistance, and career services, to help community college students transition smoothly into four-year institutions. The work will build on a number of other transfer initiatives in Illinois, including the Illinois Articulation Initiative and guaranteed transfer admission pathways aimed at streamlining credit transfer between community colleges and universities. The state also utilizes tools like iTransfer and Transferology to help institutions identify course equivalencies across multiple campuses.

The university system plans to evaluate the pilot over the next four years and will consider scaling the program to additional 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."

"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." 

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

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