Kennedy-King College Rolls Out Holistic Student Support Program
Chicago's Kennedy-King College is expanding student support services through a collaboration between City Colleges of Chicago and One Million Degrees (OMD), a Chicago-based nonprofit serving low-income community college students. The initiative will provide eligible Kennedy-King students with holistic wraparound support services as they chart pathways to and through higher education and to careers, the organizations explained in a news announcement.
Beginning this summer, Kennedy-King students will have access to the One Million Degrees student support program, which offers personalized coaching, financial assistance, professional development, and access to career services, internships and apprenticeship opportunities. The goal: to "help students navigate challenges, persist in their studies, and transition seamlessly into four-year institutions or careers," the announcement said. Kennedy-King College will be the fourth college at City Colleges of Chicago to implement the expanded OMD model.
City College of Chicago has set a goal of ensuring that 55% of all new credit students, regardless of background, complete a degree or certificate or transfer to a bachelor's degree by 2032. According to a study conducted by the University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab, students with access to OMD supports are 94% more likely to remain enrolled and 73% more likely to graduate within three years compared to their peers.
"Every day on our campus, we see the incredible potential and inspiring resilience of our students in the classroom, in their careers and in the community," said Dr. Katonja Webb-Walker, president of Kennedy-King College, in a statement. "This OMD expansion will further equip students with the necessary tools and resources they need to thrive. It's about creating supports that empower our students to be successful which, in turn, drive progress for the Southside and the entire city."
"Expanding access to comprehensive support services ensures that students have the tools to overcome challenges, stay on track, and achieve their goals. Our expanded partnership with Kennedy-King will serve more students than ever before, providing dedicated support and resources for students balancing work, family, and school," commented Dr. Rita Raichoudhuri, chief program officer for One Million Degrees. "This is about opening doors to opportunity, removing barriers to upward mobility and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to build a brighter future for themselves and their family."
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Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].