A graduate of Mt. Carmel High School he has a Bachelors of Science degree in Human Resources from Roosevelt University and a Masters of Science degree from Loyola University's Institute of Human Resource and Industrial Relations.

In 1992 Mr. Rhodes completed a certified arbitrator development program through Cornell University and the New York State Employment Relations Board. In 1994 he received designation as a Senior Professional in Human Resources, the highest level of professional accomplishment in human resources. In March of 2000 he received an Illinois Consortium for Educational Opportunities Program Fellowship for Ph. D. studies in Business Ethics.

Mr. Rhodes has 10+ years of corporate exposure with firms such as Mobil, General Electric, Baxter Healthcare and Sara Lee Bakery, as well as, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). In 1996 he began the mpr group, a broad based human resources consulting firm providing customized training, consulting and project management services.

Mr. Rhodes has facilitated numerous human resources related activities in manufacturing, health care, consumer products and electronics, information technology, educational and the cultural arts for public and private firms in the profit and not-for-profit sectors. In addition he was selected by the Minority Business Report as their Minority Business Enterprise Entrepreneur of the Week and he has been featured in Black Enterprise magazine in their "Ask An Expert" section.

He regularly instructs graduate and undergraduate level courses at several Universities and Colleges including Aurora University, Governors State University, Moraine Valley Community College and Ashland University. He has lead courses in human resources and project managment human relations and training.