Welcome to The James A. Rhodes Leadership Foundation

Dear Friends:

At the James A. Rhodes Leadership Foundation, we believe the affordability of in-state college tuition should not be the determining factor of whether capable young Ohioans should be able to continue their education at an Ohio two-year community or technical college. We firmly believe that while not all young Ohioans are best suited for four-year colleges, all young Ohioans deserve an opportunity. We further hold that most young Ohioans have the ability to learn skills that will help the economy, though many do not have the ability to realize such a reality because of the lack of funds.

Since 2006, the Foundation has been developing a comprehensive public/private partnership to raise $65 million by the year 2010 to provide one scholarship to an Ohio resident from every Ohio high school each biennium. This June, we moved closer to reaching that goal when the State of Ohio became the first major donor, awarding $10 million to the Foundation to assist in leveraging private and public dollars.

In addition, to further strengthen Ohio and stop the brain drain, each scholarship recipient will be required to work in their field of study within the state for a period of four years upon graduation. We believe this joint venture with governmental/business leaders, student and their families will strengthen Ohio by providing a stronger skilled workforce who will help broaden the tax base which will ultimately lead to an improved quality of life for all Ohioans.

As Ohio’s longest serving Governor, my grandfather developed a “Blue Print for Brain Power” that sought to empower Ohio students to become the most educated workforce in the country. We established the Foundation decades later to build upon his work and help more Ohioans realize his dream that “graduates have a diploma in one hand and a job in the other on graduation day.”

We look forward to working with you to increase enrollment at Ohio’s community and technical colleges by linking them with capable young Ohioans who without this Foundation would perhaps never realize the dreams that a 2 year community and technical college education can provide. Working together, we can give these stewards of our future the skills they need to increase their earning capacity, strengthen Ohio’s economy while improving the business climate with a renewed infusion of skilled workers.

I appreciate the opportunity to share our vision for Ohio and look forward to forging a lasting partnership with you and the people of Ohio so that together we may strengthen our great state for this generation and those that follow.

Best regards.

Sincerely,