NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal joins CBS Mornings to discuss his efforts to help more students reach their college dreams. The Hall of Famer holds a doctorate in education.

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Shaquille O'Neal, known for his achievements in basketball, is also a strong proponent of higher education. O'Neal holds multiple degrees, including a doctorate in education, and is actively involved in initiatives to help others pursue their college dreams. He is an investor in the online college Campus, which offers affordable, two-year courses taught by Ivy League instructors and is open to all students.

O'Neal acknowledges the skepticism some have about the value and cost of college, noting that while college may not be for everyone, many still lack the opportunity to attend. Through mentorship and accessible programs, he aims to provide more people with the chance to further their education. O'Neal credits his parents, especially his mother, for inspiring his commitment to education and encourages others to lead by example.

Shaquille O'Neal champions college education for all

Did you know he's also a fierce advocate for higher education? There he is. He's actually got three degrees. A bachelor's degree, an MBA, a doctorate in education. Zach joins us now to talk about his latest efforts to help others achieve their college dreams. And walking in right now is Dr. O'Neal. I'm mad at you. Why, what's up baby? You told me to meet you over there on the other side. I'm all late. You right, my bad. Spank me, girl, for being late, spank me. All right, now sit your butt down, man. What's going on, Diesel? Man, I can't complain. You look good. Thank you, I'm trying to, I'm trying. Where were you, Shaq? You were supposed to be here at 8.05. I was in the room over the next, what's your name? Yep, Shauna. Yeah, Shauna. Yeah, it was Shauna. Yeah, it was Shauna's fault. Oh, Shauna's fault. Listen, we are glad you're here. Yeah, we're glad you're here, but we wanna talk about what you're doing. You're already an investor in the online college called Campus, and now you have a new program in the school. What is it actually going to do? So it's dealing with mentorship and helping people realize their dreams. We have to face it, people are very skeptical about college. Yes. And you know, today's Gen Z, they're very youthful. Yep. College is something different for them, so we wanna be able to help people realize their dreams and do it very, very affordable. What do you say to their skepticism? Because they say, it costs too much and I don't get anything out of it. Yes, it costs too much, I don't get anything out of it. And you know, my son told me something very one day, I was kind of upset with him, but it kind of hit me. He said, college isn't for everybody. Hmm. College isn't for everybody, but you know, everybody, you know, a lot of people wanna go to college that don't have the opportunity, like we have the opportunity to go to college. So, you know, with this, we give them, you know, the opportunity to get their education. We had to trust him. And, and- Go ahead. My favorite thing about Campus is we have real, real intelligent professionals teach them. Yeah, you have Ivy League teachers. Yes, we do. I wanna get back to Campus for just a second, but we had a real estate attorney who does trust, and she said one of the things she admires about you is what you said to your own kids, that you don't get the cheese without the degrees, that it's very important to you that people get an education. It is. Because people are skeptical. I had to switch it up a little bit. It was, it was three. Uh-huh. Most of my children do have degrees and they are doing, doing great things. I'm blessed. I have, I have seven. I hate using this word, I have seven perfect children. Yeah. I haven't had any problems out of my children. But you have led by example, though. Yes, exactly. You can't say that- Exactly. Without being an example of doing that. Exactly. And I think the best thing for me was telling them we don't need another basketball player in the family. Because I'm crazy. Yeah. I'm so crazy, she told me to be here at nine o'clock, but I was- Eight o'clock. I think I need to go at eight. But Campus is really exciting to me because you go online, you have Ivy League instructors, and it's a two-year course. And at the end of the two years, what do you get? And it's open to anybody. Yes, I mean, you know, you get to, you know, continue on- And you're an investor. With your education or, you know, you get to enter into the job force. I wish I could take all the credit. I remember when I was invested in this thing, it was a very young, intelligent brother. Like, a lot of times when you get an investment like this, you think it's older people. But I'm in his office and I'm sitting and I'm, and this kid, he's looking at me and I'm looking at him, and he's like, I'm Ty Day. I'm just like, you're the brainchild behind this? And he's a young, young guy from, from overseas. You know, parents are from Africa. Parents really stress education, so he's the brainchild. Ty Day, where you at? Yup, shout out to him. Yeah, there he is. All right, and now, now Shaq. Give me a hug, Ty Day. There he is, yeah. Come get some TV love. Shaq wants a hug. Yeah, him, he's the guy. This is the brainchild right here. All right. This is the man. Give you a spanking for creating. Get on out of here, get on out of here. Okay, thank you, thank you. All right, yeah, no doubt, man. I like the fresh fade, by the way. Shaq, you know, you are, in most people's minds, the most dominant big man to ever play the game. Made a ton of money in the NBA. Absolute legend, off of the court. But you decided to continue to pursue avenues in education, higher education for yourself, multiple degrees, and also. Multiple degrees, talk about that for a second, Nate. No doubt, say it, Gil. Four NBA titles, but three degrees, and working on a four. And working on a four. A doctorate in education, not an honorary one, a real complete one, where you had to do a doctoral project and everything. And forget about athletes going into business, I'll say one of the most profound businessmen. Look at Shaq's face. Businessman that I know. He's ready to talk now, we can talk to him. I just wanna ask, why? Why did you decide to do all that after a career where you have achieved so much? So Gil knows, Gil's favorite person, biggest fan, my mother, Dr. Lucille. Yes, yeah. You know, my career was so about making people happy, but I saw that fulfilling my dreams is really making her happy. And I would come home sometimes, and you know, my parents were the ones that were never impressed. They would only get impressed when it was things that would impress them. No doubt. My mom signed a $40 million contract. Okay, save your money. Yeah. Shaq, the buzzer is coming for us. I'm not a finished sexy guy. I'm not a finished sexy guy. I'm not a finished sexy guy. We gotta do a commercial, bro. The buzzer's coming right now. Shaquille O'Neal for you. I'm gonna pay for the commercial. Woo! That's a flex, you see that?

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