At United Way of Greater Cincinnati, we believe every young person should have the opportunity to reach their full potential — regardless of where they start or the resources available to them.
College student Jordan Green accomplished a lot in her freshman year at the University of Michigan. The Wyoming High School graduate completed 150 hours of research on Huntington’s disease, presented at a university symposium and earned an award for explaining complex science in an accessible way.
Her strong start shows what’s possible when students have opportunities and support to pursue their goals. United Way of Greater Cincinnati helps create those pathways for students — from cradle to career. In this case, Jordan is a recipient of the L. Ross Love Memorial Scholarship, which United Way administers.
Love was a trailblazing Procter & Gamble executive, entrepreneur, mentor and civic leader who served as a United Way board chair. Established by family, friends and former colleagues, the fund carries forward a life defined by passion, service and impact. Today, it offers graduating high school seniors up to $10,000 over four years to help cover tuition, supplies or student loan costs.
Out-of-state tuition made Michigan a significant stretch for Jordan and her mother, Cindy Peebles. The award gives Jordan more room to focus on preparing for medical school.
“Everything I was able to accomplish — finishing organic chemistry with a really good grade, finding a lab where I’ll be able to stay and presenting my first research project — none of that would have been possible without the scholarships I received,” Jordan said. “Especially this one, since it’s renewable.”
“Educational success doesn’t happen because of one scholarship or program,” said Moira Weir, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Cincinnati. “It grows when young people are surrounded by caring adults, meaningful opportunities and communities that believe in their potential.”
Jordan’s circle of support began at home. Her father died of cancer when she was 4, and Cindy raised her as a single mother while encouraging challenging classes, extracurricular activities and long-term goals. For 12 years, Cindy also led Jordan’s Girl Scout troop, giving her daughter an early model of service and leadership.
“I watched her do everything,” Jordan said. “I was always really ambitious because of that. It helped me think about what I wanted to do, how I could be a leader and make a difference.”
Model United Nations and several years in the Cincinnati Zoo’s teen program helped Jordan find her voice and learn to communicate with confidence. Teachers and doctors who welcomed her to shadow them helped her see new possibilities.
Jordan is double majoring in neuroscience and Spanish and plans to become a pediatric physician. She wants to provide care that helps families feel heard, particularly when language creates barriers.
“If a patient feels like there’s someone who understands them, listens to them and can truly help, then their care is already off to the right start,” she said.
Cindy understands what sustained support can mean. Scholarships allowed her to continue her own education at the University of Cincinnati and build a career in finance. She remembers peers who could not return to college after one-year awards ended.
“I feel so fortunate in my own career for having had that opportunity,” Cindy said. “I so want the same thing for my baby girl.”
To Cindy, support through United Way is also a vote of confidence in what her daughter can contribute. “I want Jordan to demonstrate to the people who invested in her that they are getting a great return on their investment,” she said.
Jordan feels that responsibility, too. She knows the scholarship process was thoughtful and thorough, but she also understands an application can only reveal so much about a person. What moves her most is that people who did not know her personally saw enough promise to place their faith in her. She carries their confidence into classrooms and research labs — and hopes to extend it to others someday.
“So many people have so much potential to do great things, but they don’t have the resources to make their dreams possible,” Jordan said. “I never want people to feel like they are limited because of their circumstances.”
