Chicago, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/24/2016 -- One Million Degrees—a pioneering organization that serves and graduates area community college students - celebrated 150 community college graduates, twice as many graduates as last year, at its annual Scholar Awards ceremony on June 21. The ceremony at Chase Auditorium also recognized the 440 highly-motivated, low-income students served by the program this year, and featured keynote speaker the Honorable Kurt Summers, Treasurer of the City of Chicago.

OMD Scholars attend 11 community colleges across Chicagoland and come from many backgrounds and life experiences. The 2016 Scholar of the Year, Harper College Scholar Christian Huerta, has always been dedicated to following his dreams. When he moved to the United States in his freshman year of high school, he struggled to get the support he needed and was often told he was performing below his classmates. With the academic, personal, professional, and financial supports provided by One Million Degrees while attending Harper College for the past two years, Christian received his associate's degree in May 2016. He will be pursuing his bachelor's degree at Northeastern Illinois University this fall.

"One thing I learned is if people don't make fun of your goals, they're not big enough. Six years ago, I couldn't even order my own lunch because I didn't know English. Today I stand before you with an Associate in Arts and plan on double majoring in Latin American Studies and Political Science." —OMD Alumnus Christian Huerta, Class of 2016

The Scholar Awards ceremony was hosted by JPMorgan Chase and attended by more than 450 scholars, volunteer coaches, supporters, and guests. In addition to Treasurer Summers, attendees heard from OMD Alumnus Tina Watson, now attending Fisk University on a full-tuition scholarship.

About One Million Degrees
One Million Degrees is the only organization of its kind in Illinois dedicated to providing comprehensive supports to low-income, highly motivated community college students to help them succeed in school, in work, and in life. From tutors and coaches to financial assistance and life-skills training, OMD offers the kind of support that empowers scholars to transform their lives in a way that will resonate for generations. OMD Scholars graduate at two times the state average with the skills and experiences necessary to launch upwardly mobile professional careers.

OMD partners with 11 Chicago-area community colleges, including the seven City Colleges of Chicago, College of Lake County, Harper College, Prairie State College, and South Suburban College. In the 2015 – 2016 academic year, OMD served 441 scholars across the region and will expand to serve 700 scholars in the 2016-2017 year.

To learn more about One Million Degrees, please visit http://www.onemilliondegrees.org.