Jordan Green has big plans. The University of Michigan student wants to become a pediatric physician, a goal that means years of education, hard work and significant costs along the way.
Helping young people pursue opportunities like this is part of United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s commitment to Educational Success. In this case, Jordan is a recipient of a scholarship that United Way administers to help students continue their education and move closer to their career goals.
“When young people have big goals, our job as a community is to help make sure opportunity is there to meet their ambition,” said Moira Weir, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Cincinnati. “That’s what Educational Success means to us — creating pathways and connecting young people with the resources and support that can help them build the futures they envision.”
The scholarship honors the late L. Ross Love, a trailblazing Procter & Gamble executive, entrepreneur, mentor and civic leader who served as a United Way board chair. The scholarship provides graduating high school seniors up to $10,000 over four years for tuition, supplies or student loan costs.
As the organization trusted to administer the fund, United Way is carrying forward Love’s support and ensuring it continues to open doors for students.
Jordan is already making the most of that opportunity. She’s double majoring in neuroscience and Spanish. In her freshman year, the Wyoming High School graduate completed 150 hours of Huntington’s disease research, presented at a university symposium and earned an award for making complex science easier to understand.
With out-of-state tuition making the University of Michigan a significant expense for Jordan, the renewable scholarship helps give 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.”
Jordan’s path has been shaped by more than financial support. Her mother, Cindy Peebles, who raised Jordan as a single parent, encouraged her ambitions from an early age. Teachers, mentors and experiences outside the classroom helped her discover her interests and build confidence.
No single scholarship, mentor or experience determines a young person’s future. But together, the right resources, relationships and opportunities can help remove barriers and keep more possibilities within reach.
“That’s the power of United Way,” said Weir. “Making connections and offering support so more young people can achieve their potential.”
Jordan hopes to do the same for others as she builds her own future.
“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.”
