Private equity veteran calls for targeted, relationship-based interventions to reduce dropout rates and improve employment outcomes among vulnerable tertiary students

AVALON, NJ / ACCESS Newswire / October 28, 2025 / Leslie Nelson, a seasoned energy executive and private equity advisor with decades of experience in African infrastructure, is urging fellow professionals and development leaders to rethink how they support first-generation university students-especially orphans navigating higher education alone.

Nelson currently mentors and supports 15 orphaned students from the Village of Hope in Gomoa Fetteh, Ghana, all of whom are on track to graduate in 2026. He doesn't just cover tuition. He buys them laptops, funds internet access, helps them write resumes, reviews job applications, and stays in regular contact about their academic and personal goals.

"This group didn't just beat the odds getting into university," Nelson says. "They're trying to survive there without family support, career guidance, or a reliable laptop. Paying tuition is the easy part. What they need is structure, time, and someone who checks in when no one else does."

According to the Association of African Universities, over 60% of students in Ghanaian public universities face digital access challenges, and for orphans, the lack of consistent adult support is a key predictor of early dropout and post-graduation unemployment.

"I've sat in boardrooms arguing over power access," Nelson reflects. "But try to succeed at university without a power bank or a working device. It's the same problem. Infrastructure is personal."

Nelson, who formerly led GE's $1 billion power portfolio in Africa and now advises energy transition projects, sees a parallel between mentorship and capital deployment: both require follow-through.

"A one-time donation doesn't close the gap. The student who can't access digital tools or talk through their first job interview is going to struggle, no matter how smart they are."

A Model for Micro-Mentorship: What Nelson Does Differently

• Each student receives a personal laptop and ongoing data support

• Regular check-ins via WhatsApp and Zoom, often monthly

• Help with internship applications, interview prep, and career mapping

• Exposure to his professional network when relevant

• Emotional support during tough exam seasons or housing transitions

"One student was ready to drop out over a housing issue," Nelson says. "We sorted it in two days. But they didn't have anyone else to call."

How You Can Help-Even Without a Foundation

• Adopt 1-2 students from a local university or youth program and offer consistent contact

• Fund internet access or laptop repair-not just tuition

• Offer micro-internships or job shadowing for vulnerable students

• Join platforms that match diaspora professionals with African students for mentorship

"It's not about launching something big," Nelson says. "It's about showing up, again and again, for one person."

About Leslie Nelson

Leslie Nelson is a Ghanaian private equity executive and strategic advisor. He has over 25 years of experience leading infrastructure and energy investments across Africa, including senior roles with GE and New Fortress Energy. In 2021, he founded an energy transition platform focused on expanding clean and affordable power access in emerging markets. Beyond his corporate work, Nelson mentors university students in Ghana and advocates for practical, long-term support systems for first-generation scholars.

Media Contact

Leslie Nelson
info@leslienelsonexecutive.com
https://www.leslienelsonexecutive.com/

SOURCE: Leslie Nelson