College enrollments are in decline, and degree attainment has fallen for the first time in a decade. Research also suggests that fewer students are making the transition from high school to college, while FAFSA completion rates have dropped significantly this year. The data reflects a growing body of research that suggests students’ belief in the value of higher education is at an all-time low.
To encourage education and combat low attendance rates, entrepreneur, philanthropist and basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal is using his platform to make education more accessible for all. This past summer, O’Neal launched the first cohort of the Try College initiative. He offered 500 high school students and recent graduates the opportunity to take business classes from top college professors.
“What we’re seeing today is too many kids wondering if college is still worth it. These students either feel like they aren’t college material or believe the price tag is out of reach, and that’s a shame,” said O’Neal. “We believe everyone should have access to higher learning, and with that in mind, we’re making college classes available for free so that hundreds of students have the opportunity to show the world what they can do.”
The program offered four courses through Campus.edu’s business degree program, and selected students could choose one to complete at no cost. The courses, their professors and the instructor’s school of origin included:
- Introduction to Business Administration, taught by Todd Fitch of U.C. Berkeley
- Principles of Marketing, taught by Dan Goldsmith of the University of Maryland College Park
- Principles of Microeconomics, taught by Deniz Baglan of Howard University
- English Composition, taught by Theresa Walsh of UC Davis
Campus.edu is an online college classroom that allows students to fast-track their career or university trajectory. All the professors come from esteemed colleges like the ones listed above, allowing for some of the highest quality lessons at a minimal out-of-pocket cost.
“We know that talent is everywhere, but too many talented students simply don’t think college is for them. We’re teaming up with Shaq to prove them wrong,” said Tade Oyerinde, Campus.edu’s founder and Chancellor. “We’re doing this to show young people that college is within reach, that college can be affordable and that they don’t have to do this alone.”
In addition to his $29 million investment with Campus.edu and in support of its mission, O’Neal—who famously balanced his professional basketball career with earning numerous college degrees—has a long history of using his platform and resources to provide quality education to people of all ages.
O’Neal hosts his annual “Shaq-to-School” event through his nonprofit organization, where over 5,000 backpacks filled with school supplies are provided to elementary, middle and high school students in the Atlanta, Los Angeles and Las Vegas areas. The foundation additionally works with the nonprofit Communities in Schools, providing needed resources to students and their families.
He’s also used his partnership with Icy Hot to fund struggling school athletic programs heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, raised money with Papa John’s to provide scholarships to students of color through the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), worked with Michelle Obama to promote physical activity in schools and has independently donated funds to students’ varying needs.
In an interview with Shaq Fu Radio, O’Neal stated the importance he puts on education, saying:
“You can have all the money in the world, but if you don’t have education, you can’t make it grow.”
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This article was originally published on diversitycomm.net.