Rasheem Rooke

Background

About Rasheem Rooke

Transformational non-profit executive dedicated to expanding access, equity, and success in higher education. I bring more than two decades of experience advancing equity, access, and student success. Areas of focus have been in scholarship management, student success, and program development, with expertise in building sustainable initiatives, cultivating donor and institutional partnerships, and guiding teams to deliver measurable outcomes for students and communities. As Assistant Vice President at UNCF, I oversee one of the nation’s most complex scholarship ecosystems that contain nearly 400 scholarship programs supported by $65M+ in annual funding. I lead a talented team of program managers and directors, steward multi-million-dollar partnerships, and collaborate with 37 member institutions to ensure that scholarships are more than financial awards: they are pathways to graduation, career readiness, and lifelong success. I am passionate about creating environments where people thrive. Whether mentoring emerging leaders, equipping students with financial and academic tools, or empowering teams with clarity and structure, my focus is always on fostering growth, accountability, and impact. Colleagues describe me as a connector and strategist—someone who bridges vision with execution and compassion with results. Beyond my professional role, I am an author of suspense novels, a thought leader on college access and student success, and a creative entrepreneur developing ventures that merge storytelling, photography, culture, and community building. Across every space I enter, my mission is consistent: to inspire, to innovate, and to leave people and institutions stronger than I found them.