What’s happening: Earlier this week, representatives from
Clark State College announced that they were one of three schools across the United States to be selected to implement the
One Million Degrees program, which provides a comprehensive approach to student success by offering academic, financial, professional and personal support.
Students in the One Million Degrees program receive advising, coaching, and support, as well as earn financial stipends each semester by completing program milestones. Using a cohort model, students are able to build connections and a shared support system with their peers. According to the One Million Degrees website, participants in the program are 73 percent more likely to earn a degree than their peers.
One Million Degrees was started in Chicago in 2006. Upon seeing the success locally, leadership from One Million Degrees decided to take the program national this year. They met with potential constituents, including representatives of Clark State.
Who’s eligible: The program is intended for new or recent high school graduates in Clark, Logan, or Champaign counties who demonstrate a financial need, have applied or will apply to Clark State, have fewer than 15 college credit hours, and are willing to commit to completing an associate degree in two years. To maintain eligibility, students must keep a 2.0 grade point average throughout the program.
According to Clark State’s press release, the school will only accept 60 students for the One Million Degrees program, so students who are interested in applying should do so soon by contacting the Clark State admissions department at 937-328-6028 or
[email protected].
What they’re saying: “Being selected as one of only three community colleges in the nation, outside of the Chicago area where the program started, to offer the One Million Degrees program is an exciting and meaningful development for Clark State,” says Elecia Spain, associate dean of access and retention. “This initiative directly aligns with our mission to support students holistically — academically, personally and professionally — and it provides a proven framework that helps students not only start college, but complete it. We are proud to bring this opportunity to our community and look forward to seeing the impact it will have on student success.”
Why it matters: Aside from the honor of being one of only three schools across the nation to be selected for this program rollout, One Million Degrees is proven to help students earn degrees.
Data provided by the organization says that their work makes students 94% percent more likely to “persist from the fall to spring semesters” and 73% more likely to earn their degree.
With a graduation rate of 30% and a transfer rate of roughly 45%, One Million Degrees could help Clark State retain and graduate students.
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