Impact
Report

Sarah

From Campus to Career with Cintas

When Sarah joined Level Up in 2024, she was heading into her junior year at UC studying international business and marketing. Like many first-generation students, she was motivated but unsure what direction to take. Then she was paired with her mentor, Stacy Rodarte.

From the beginning, Stacy helped Sarah see things differently. "Sales isn't about pressure—it's about people," Stacy told her. That one sentence changed everything. "I started realizing that my strengths—being curious, asking questions, and connecting with others—could actually be my career," Sarah recalls.

At a Level Up networking event, Sarah met Max Langenkamp (Sr. VP of HR at Cintas) and Dion Goins (General Manager). She applied for Cintas's Management Trainee program but missed the timing. Instead of walking away, she asked what she could do to stand out. They suggested earning a sales certificate—so she did, using Level Up's Professional Advancement Reimbursement Fund.

When she reapplied, Sarah felt more prepared, focused, and confident. In her final interview, she met Kate Roettgers, Group VP of Operations at Cintas—who had attended Level Up's Elevating Women event earlier that year, where Sarah was a student speaker. Neither realized their paths would cross again.

Martha

From Gap Year Doubt to Master's Degree

Martha entered college feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about whether she belonged. Through Level Up Cincinnati, she was paired with Elena, a mentor who focused not only on academics and career goals, but on Martha as a whole person.

Martha had been considering taking a gap year after her undergraduate degree to work and save money before pursuing nursing. But when she learned that Level Up Cincinnati could support her through her master's degree as well, everything changed. With that encouragement, she applied directly to UC's nursing program—and was accepted.

Over time, Martha grew more comfortable asking for help, stepping outside her comfort zone, and engaging with opportunities she previously would have avoided. Speaking at Level Up's Elevating Women event marked a turning point in her confidence.

Nick

From Engineering Student to Designing Jet Engines

Nick, a senior Aerospace Engineering student at the University of Cincinnati, was paired with Stuart Gilchrist, a UC engineering alum who works at GE Aerospace. From the beginning, the match was intentional—pairing a driven student with a mentor who could relate to his academic journey and help him navigate the demanding world of engineering.

Stuart provided insights into the rigors of engineering studies, helping Nick excel in his coursework and projects. Leveraging his industry connections, Stuart facilitated an internship opportunity for Nick at Beehive Industries, an innovative defense contractor specializing in advanced propulsion systems. The experience opened Nick's eyes to what was possible.