College of Business alumnus gives back through enhancement fund
Since graduating from Ohio University, Michael Rodarte, BBA ’04, has given back to the College of Business, offering students following in his footsteps advice, helping them build professional networks and connecting them with career opportunities – all as a means of ensuring their post-graduation success.
Recently, Rodarte took a step further by establishing a Finance enhancement fund. The fund will assist the College of Business by providing scholarships, curriculum development, faculty support, programming and other expenditures that support the Department of Finance.
“I just had hit a point in my career where I felt I wanted to take a better step to really add value and do something that could be really instrumental to help the school and also students to be successful,” said Rodarte, a portfolio manager for Victory Capital Management.
While attending OHIO, Rodarte was one of the first students to join the Student Equity Management Group, a student-run organization in which the members manage an equity portfolio of $4.2 million of the University’s assets. The group’s members make all of the investment decisions, providing them real-world finance experience designed to set them apart from their peers.
“I attribute a lot of my success to that portfolio group,” Rodarte said. “I understand even more now how critical it is that other students have access to the same resources along their journey.”
Today, Rodarte remains a staunch advocate for the Student Equity Management Group, regularly checking in with its members, reviewing their portfolios, giving advice and sharing the steps he took in his career path. He has even recruited students from the group for internship and full-time employment opportunities with his current employer.
“[The Student Equity Management Group] helped me differentiate myself, especially when I entered the workforce,” Rodarte said. “It also allowed me to follow something that was a passion of mine, which is huge for someone in college trying to figure their way or find out their purpose in life.”
In addition to his involvement in the group, Rodarte serves on the College of Business’ Finance Advisory Council (FAC). Composed of alumni and friends of the University, the FAC connects faculty in the finance department with professionals in the field to ensure the curriculum is up-to-date and meets the needs of today’s business environment.
“[The FAC] is a way for the faculty members to have an external arm that can help to understand things from a recruitment perspective for the placement of graduates,” said Ryan O’Connor, director of development for the College of Business. “It’s also a feedback mechanism as they continue to change and evolve as they are implementing new curriculum-related things.”
O’Connor said Rodarte’s broad involvement with the Student Equity Management Group and the FAC has been a way for Rodarte to remain close to the Department, driving him to establish the enhancement fund.
Beyond establishing the fund, Rodarte said he plans to continue to give of his time and talents to his fellow Bobcats.
“I want to try and empower other hard-working, good students to be successful,” Rodarte said. “Hopefully as they advance in their careers, students get this sweltering momentum to give back to the University.”