Rise Up Scholars propels business students to careers and life success
A 100% job placement rate. Tripled membership since its inception just three years ago. K-State’s Rise Up Scholars program in the College of Business Administration is the epitome of success!
Rise Up was the brainchild of Olivia Law-DelRosso, assistant dean in the college. It was launched with startup funds from Angela and Mike Leikam, 1987 graduate in accounting and president and CEO of Centralized Supply Chain Services in Kansas City, Kansas. The Leikams had been looking for an investment that would directly benefit students and provide opportunities for academic and career success to students.
“We are so proud of what Olivia and her team have accomplished through the program,” Mike Leikam said. “These students are getting an excellent education and a great college experience in an environment that recognizes some of the unique challenges they may face.”
Bridging the opportunity gap
K-State strives to deliver outstanding educational experiences for all students. But the sad fact is that not all students have the means to take advantage of these opportunities.
Programs like Rise Up bridge that gap, be it finances, generational knowledge of how college works, or the connections to network successfully. The program’s vision is for all business students to “have access, opportunity and the resources to be successful and experience a sense of belonging.”
“The Rise Up students are a tight-knit community — a family,” DelRosso said. “They’re there for each other during struggles and to challenge and push each other.”
The program provides visits to industry partners, peer and executive mentors, tutoring, and guidance on getting internships. There’s also coaching on landing jobs upon graduation and managing post-college life.
“This program really aligns with the land-grant mission of the university,” Leikam said. “K-State works to recruit students from all backgrounds and give them the opportunity to succeed. Rise Up can be a great tool to recruit students, but it can also help keep them in school through graduation.”
Lexie Burke, a junior majoring in marketing and finance, joined Rise Up as a freshman — a natural path from beginning her K-State career through MAPS, a multi-week program that primes incoming students for the academic rigor of college.
“I’ve definitely grown a lot, especially professionally,” Burke said. “We’ve had a lot of different experiences — from networking events to visiting and learning about a lot of companies. One benefit is that I’ve had an internship every year since my freshman year.”
From backpack to briefcase
If it hadn’t been for Rise Up, Manuel Aguero, senior in management information systems, might have left K-State.
“Before Rise Up, I didn’t think I’d be successful in college. I felt like I didn’t belong,” Aguero said. “Rise Up changed my perspective and helped me feel more at ease.”
He now mentors other Rise Up scholars, building community and making students feel like they belong. His first internship was with Leikam at CSCS. His second internship was with ConocoPhillips, which has offered him a full-time job after graduation.
Industry has also taken notice of Rise Up. Hormel Foods was the first corporation to partner with the program, and it has been reaping the benefits.
“We need employees who reflect the consumers we’re targeting,” said Amy Sheehan, director of talent acquisition for Hormel Foods. “If you have a diverse organization, your productivity will be up. And K-State’s programs develop the talent industry needs.”
Sheehan appreciates K-State’s programs that set up students for success, including MAPS, Project IMPACT and Rise Up.
“Olivia and her team really focus on those things that are going to set these students apart from other people we interview,” Sheehan said.
And Rise Up prepares students for life after college, beyond just getting a job.
“The reality of leaving the social aspect of college, the day-to-day routine of going to classes, is a mental health situation when it comes to adjusting to that new change,” Aguero said. “I’m leaving where I’ve lived for four years and starting over in a new town. And this time I’m going to be alone.”
During the spring semester, Rise Up seniors meet with coaches about what to expect after graduation. They talk about housing, budgeting and dealing with being alone. Sheehan, who works with many young people early in their careers, says Rise Up stands out because of its holistic approach.
Growing opportunities
Since it began three years ago, Rise Up has garnered more investments from individuals and businesses, and it’s grown from 25 students to 80.
But staffing hasn’t kept up. DelRosso, with the help of student interns, runs the program along with all her other duties as an assistant dean and professor. With more investors on board, K-State could staff up this growing program, which serves as an example to the whole university.
“I think Rise Up should be a universitywide program,” Leikam said. “It’s a leadership program that gives kids opportunities to try to achieve success. To us, it’s really the K-State way. Everyone can have a seat at the table. And it’s good for business. I’ve seen it in my own professional career. The more diversity of opinion and background we bring together to attack real problems, the better we are. Rise Up amplifies this.”
