Brothers with giving hearts support first-generation students

Recognizing a need for first-generation college students in the Greater Cincinnati region, brothers Mike and Jim Rodarte were inspired to act.

They co-founded Level Up Cincinnati, a nonprofit that bridges the gaps between high school, college and career with mentorship and coaching for marginalized students. The brothers also created a scholarship fund at the University of Cincinnati designed to help these students.

“The number of low-income, first-generation students leaving college without a degree is high,” says Mike. “These future leaders deserve equitable access to opportunities. The reality is that navigating the transition to college and then to professional life comes with hurdles.”

Lindsey had struggled at UC as a first-generation college student.

“I felt like a lone fish,” he remembers. “I didn’t know anyone at UC. I didn’t know how to get involved with organizations or how to study. I remember walking out of a math class because the work was overwhelming.”

After leaving UC, a job readiness program brought Lindsey and Mike together. He was reluctant to form a relationship with Mike, saying he didn’t understand mentorship and found it intrusive.

“This didn’t deter Mike,” Lindsey laughs. “And my relationship with him has been influential to my growth and ongoing success.”

He re-enrolled at UC, graduated and is now a senior analyst at Citi.

Now, the Rodarte brothers and Lindsey have known each other for 12 years and consider one another family. When Mike expressed to Lindsey that he wanted to give back in a more significant way, they decided to use their own relationship as a template. Mentorship and networking would play a big role in how they could help local students.

“One of the keys to success is access,” says Lindsey. “You can be brilliant, but if you don’t know the right people, you’re stuck. We aim to give rising leaders the same kind of access that Mike gave to me—not just to resources, but to people and networks as well.”

The Level Up Scholarship Fund will support students in public school districts across the region. Renewable for eight semesters, the first recipients, five first-year students and five third-year students, will begin in fall 2023.

“It’s important to support these students financially and take some of the burden off them,” says Jim. “But we also recognize that sometimes that is not enough.”

A unique part of this scholarship is the additional support students will receive from Level Up. This includes personal and professional development, one-on-one coaching, and access to a professional launch network. First-year students will be paired with a transition coach, who will help them bridge from high school to college. Third-year students will partner with a career coach in their field of study, smoothing the shift to the professional world. Students will connect with the Level Up Professional Launch Network, a group of individuals committed to their success. They will also be supported by local corporate partners that include Sycamore Capital, AMEND Consulting, Frost Brown Todd, & Citi. 

“The gift from the Rodarte family will be transformational, not only for the students but for the entire university,” says Jack Miner, UC vice provost for enrollment management. “The gift is one more opportunity to lift up students from this community and recognize the importance of college for first-generation students.”

“The scholarship really builds on the experience of the Rodarte family,” he adds. “It is incredible that they are making a commitment to enable more students to have that UC experience.”

Level Up Cincinnati is seeking coach volunteers, business leaders, first-generation college graduates and corporate business partners. To learn more or become a part of the program, visit levelupcincinnati.org.

Featured image at top: Mike Rodarte and JeRod Lindsey. Photo/Provided.