Kennedy-King Faculty Rolls Out Holistic Scholar Help Program

Chicago’s Kennedy-King College is increasing scholar help companies by a collaboration between City Colleges of Chicago and One Million Degrees (OMD), a Chicago-based nonprofit serving low-income group faculty college students. The initiative will present eligible Kennedy-King college students with holistic wraparound help companies as they chart pathways to and thru greater schooling and to careers, the organizations defined in a information announcement.

Starting this summer season, Kennedy-King college students may have entry to the One Million Levels scholar help program, which provides customized teaching, monetary help, skilled improvement, and entry to profession companies, internships and apprenticeship alternatives. The objective: to “assist college students navigate challenges, persist of their research, and transition seamlessly into four-year establishments or careers,” the announcement stated. Kennedy-King Faculty would be the fourth faculty at Metropolis Schools of Chicago to implement the expanded OMD mannequin.

Metropolis Faculty of Chicago has set a objective of guaranteeing that 55% of all new credit score college students, no matter background, full a level or certificates or switch to a bachelor’s diploma by 2032. In response to a examine carried out by the College of Chicago Inclusive Financial system Lab, college students with entry to OMD helps are 94% extra prone to stay enrolled and 73% extra prone to graduate inside three years in comparison with their friends.

“Daily on our campus, we see the unbelievable potential and galvanizing resilience of our college students within the classroom, of their careers and locally,” stated Dr. Katonja Webb-Walker, president of Kennedy-King Faculty, in a press release. “This OMD enlargement will additional equip college students with the required instruments and sources they should thrive. It is about creating helps that empower our college students to achieve success which, in flip, drive progress for the Southside and your entire metropolis.”

“Increasing entry to complete help companies ensures that college students have the instruments to beat challenges, keep on monitor, and obtain their targets. Our expanded partnership with Kennedy-King will serve extra college students than ever earlier than, offering devoted help and sources for college kids balancing work, household, and college,” commented Dr. Rita Raichoudhuri, chief program officer for One Million Levels. “That is about opening doorways to alternative, eradicating obstacles to upward mobility and guaranteeing that each scholar has the chance to construct a brighter future for themselves and their household.”