Specialist, Curriculum and Training

One Million Degrees accelerates community college students’ progress on career pathways to economic mobility.

Over 60% of students who start community college do not complete a degree or successfully transfer to a four-year institution. However, 84% of jobs in the US require skills training beyond high school. OMD’s holistic support model is designed to support community college students as they work toward degrees and careers. From tutors and coaches to financial assistance and professional development, OMD helps community college students succeed in school, work, and life, transforming their futures and the futures of those around them for generations.

The OMD student support model is rooted in evaluation and evidence: a randomized controlled trial conducted with the University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab shows that OMD scholars are 70% more likely to enroll, 94% more likely to persist, and 73% more likely to earn a degree.

Currently, OMD serves scholars in all 7 of the City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) and is scaling to reach over 3,000 community college scholars by 2026. In addition to its unique partnership with CCC, OMD partners with employers across industries to build on‑ramps to in‑demand jobs through internships and apprenticeships. Alongside direct service work in Chicago, OMD is also experiencing rapid growth working with higher education institutions and additional partners across Illinois and nationwide, supporting them to build holistic student support models.

Through this growing body of work, OMD continues to have a profound impact in Chicagoland while becoming a national model for sustainable, scalable, and systemic change.

• Equity:
  We address historical and existing systemic inequities by taking a holistic approach to supporting students on their path to economic mobility.
• Excellence:
  We hold ourselves to a high bar and provide exceptional support so that students are empowered to achieve their ambitions.
• Community:
  We unite around putting students first, collaborating with partners, and celebrating our collective wins.
• Learning:
  We each adapt to a changing world and refine our approach to support students, community members, staff, and stakeholders along the way.
• Amplify:
  We advocate for our students and share what we’ve learned as leaders in the field.

The Curriculum and Training Specialist plays a central role in designing, developing, and maintaining high‑quality curriculum for OMD’s scholar and apprentice development programs, with a strong emphasis on creating interactive, learner‑centered experiences within our Learning Management System (LMS). Reporting to the Director of Curriculum, Training, and Continuous Improvement, this role collaborates closely with cross‑functional teams to ensure a coherent vision for curriculum design, staff training, and facilitation excellence.

OMD curriculum supports community college students in building the durable skills, academic behaviors, and career readiness competencies needed for long‑term success. This position is ideal for a mission‑driven educator and instructional designer who is passionate about innovation, adult learning, equity, and the creation of scalable, digital learning experiences.

• Create new curriculum from concept to implementation, ensuring all materials and activities align with program outcomes and student needs.
• Adapt and refine existing content to improve clarity, flow, and alignment with best practices, research, and student feedback.
• Produce high‑quality deliverables including facilitation guides, slide decks, scholar resources, and supporting documents.
• Consult with staff, scholars, and stakeholders to inform curriculum innovation and improvement.
• Support program evaluation efforts by integrating data insights into curriculum updates.
• Design, build, and manage student‑facing asynchronous modules within the LMS (e.g., Brightspace, Canvas, Absorb), ensuring a clear, intuitive learner experience.
• Apply skills in multimedia integration, assessment creation, and activity sequencing to enhance online learning engagement.
• Ensure all digital content is accessible, aligned to learning…