Introducing the 2025-26 Cleveland Foundation Public Service Fellows

Mia Basit-Hightower

Host Site: St. Clair Superior Development Corporation

Mia Basit-Hightower is a recent first-generation and magna cum laude graduate of Baldwin Wallace University. She received a B.A. in political science with a minor in legal studies and an honors concentration in statistics. During undergrad, Mia led several civic and community engagement initiatives, including creating the "Real-Talk" mentorship series in partnership with the TRIO Upward Bound Saturday Academy program. She also created the "Civil Dialogue for Everyday Americans" workshop, which expanded methods for engaging in intense political conversations to problem-solving across various industries. Mia is partnered with the St. Clair Superior Development Corporation, where she will continue to advocate for investment in underserved areas and engage residents in the community for meaningful change.   

Agatha Hickerson

Host Site: Cuyahoga County

Agatha Hickerson is a recent graduate of Bowling Green State University, where she studied philosophy, politics, economics, and law, and minored in nonprofit administration and women's studies.  While a student, she served on the Board of Directors of Bowling Green Save Our Neighborhoods Group, a nonprofit community development organization focused on improving housing, transportation and sustainability initiatives in Bowling Green and making its neighborhoods stronger.  Agatha is passionate about community and economic development, community resilience, social justice, and equitable housing and transportation initiatives. As a public service fellow, she is placed with Cuyahoga County in Regional Services and is very excited to live and work in Cleveland! 

Cara Harmon

Host Site: City of Cleveland

Cara Harmon grew up in Lakewood, Ohio, and recently graduated from Ohio University. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in geography–environmental pre-law, with certificates in law, justice, and culture, and East Asian studies. During university, she was a research scholar at the Voinovich School, focusing on the intersection of climate change and aging. As a fellow, Cara is excited to be working with the City of Cleveland in the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, implementing their new Climate Action Plan. 

Amanda Wu

Host Site: Evergreen Cooperatives

Amanda Wu graduated magna cum laude from Case Western Reserve University with a Bachelor of Arts in international studies and political science. Throughout undergrad, she has worked for organizations devoted to community and development in the Greater Cleveland metropolitan area. Off-campus, this included Greater Cleveland Partnership, Global Cleveland, the City of Cleveland, and Business Ease Overseas. On campus, she served as chair of the University Media Board, uplifting media, expression and advocacy as a major pillar in the student community. She is particularly interested in pursuing peace and conflict studies with an emphasis on diplomacy and development. As a fellow with Evergreen Cooperatives, she is extremely excited to cultivate and scale their efforts in community and economic development through their employee-owned business model. In her free time, she enjoys reading, freehand drawing world maps, learning the saxophone, and drinking copious amounts of coffee from Cleveland's finest cafes. 

Beret (Bea) Traum

Host Site: Pre4Cle

Beret (Bea) Traum is a Cleveland native and recent graduate of the Ohio University Scripps School of Journalism where she received her Bachelor’s of Science in journalism: news and information with a certificate in law, justice and culture. She has previously been an editor at Southeast Ohio Magazine as well as worked for Press Forward National, a 500-million dollar initiative to revitalize local journalism through philanthropy. As a public service fellow, Bea has been matched with Pre4Cle, where she will work to ensure that all families in Cleveland have access to high-quality preschools for their children. She is excited to apply her passions for advocacy and social justice throughout her next year as a fellow! 

Lucas Nogueira Balaniuc

Host Site: Esperanza Inc.

Lucas Nogueira Balaniuc is originally from Cape Town, South Africa, and is a recent graduate from Denison University. He was awarded cum laude and a bachelor's degree in both environmental and international studies. During his undergrad, he focused on public policy and advocacy as well as environmental consultancy in Columbus. He is interested in tackling environmental justice issues and advocating for marginalized communities, which, in turn, he aims to create meaningful impacts within Hispanic/Latin communities. As a fellow, Lucas will be assisting Esperanza Inc. in securing grant funding, performing community outreach and event planning.    

Mercy Omohoro

Host Site: Greater Cleveland Career Consortium

Mercy Omohoro is originally from Nigeria. She holds a master’s degree in health education and promotion from Kent State University. During her studies, she interned with the Sexual and Relationship Violence Support Services, creating educational content and organizing events to raise awareness about interpersonal violence. She also authored an impactful op-ed addressing the mental health challenges faced by international graduate students, emphasizing the need for tailored support resources. As a public service fellow at the Greater Cleveland Career Consortium, Mercy plans to leverage her expertise to collaborate with staff and multi-sector partners, focusing on sustainability efforts, policy advocacy, and enhancing marketing and communication initiatives, all aimed at amplifying GCCC’s impact on local and statewide communities. 

Precious Phillips

Host Site: Cleveland VOTES

Precious Phillips is a Cleveland native and graduate of Cleveland Metropolitan Schools. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Cincinnati and is currently pursuing a Master’s of Social Work degree from Case Western Reserve University. Precious is passionate about supporting youth and young adults from low-income neighborhoods, offering holistic practices and mental wellness skills through her business, Acacia Park Wellness. As a fellow, she hopes that her time spent at Cleveland VOTES will increase her understanding of advocacy and democracy-building in Cleveland, as she aims to provide support in building power among Cleveland residents. 

Catherine Galla

Host Site: Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority

Catherine Galla is originally from the Greater Cleveland area and is a recent graduate of Ohio University, where she studied environmental studies and environmental health science. During her time in undergrad, she worked as research fellow for the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service to strengthen environmental education in Southeast Ohio. As a fellow, Catherine will be working with the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority in order to understand and improve the customer experience for all riders. She is excited to strengthen her passion for transit and advocate for riders during this fellowship. 

Connor Marrott 

Host Site: City of Cleveland

Connor Marrott, a native of Concord Township, Ohio, is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where he studied American studies, focusing on the intersections between history, public policy and social justice. Deeply committed to economic equity, he spent much of his undergraduate career working at a re-entry home for formerly incarcerated individuals, walking alongside individuals as they rebuilt their lives. His advocacy has spanned movements for housing access, wage justice, and police reform—both on campus and in the broader community. As a Cleveland Foundation Public Service Fellow, Connor is excited to serve in the Mayor of Cleveland’s Office with the Home for Every Neighbor initiative, working to expand access to safe and sustainable housing across the city. 

DavidPatrick Ryan 

Host Site: Assembly for the Arts 

DavidPatrick Ryan graduated from Case Western Reserve University in May 2023 with a B.A. in history and art history. As an undergraduate student, he dedicated himself to supporting community within the arts and humanities through student leadership. Since graduation, DavidPatrick has worked as a freelance professional for Ingenuity Cleveland, LAND studio, and the Western Reserve Historical Society. Most recently, he completed the Alumni Volunteer and Discernment Program through the Arrupe Neighborhood Partnership at Saint Ignatius High School. This experience was built upon years of directing outreach initiatives which serve Cleveland’s homeless population. As a fellow, DavidPatrick will work at Assembly for the Arts where he will expand access to work-live space for artists in Cleveland. 

Jackson Bartlett 

Host Site: Cuyahoga County

Originally hailing from New Jersey, Jackson Bartlett is a 2025 graduate of Oberlin College, where he majored in history and environmental studies. At Oberlin, his historical research on urban and regional planning led him to an interest in development and economic geography, fields in which he hopes to pursue further studies. He is excited to be working for Northeast Ohio’s public, on Cuyahoga County’s transportation initiatives. 

Jerome Hamilton Jr.

Host Site: MidTown Cleveland, Inc.

Born and raised in Baltimore, Jerome Hamilton Jr. graduated from Michigan State University (MSU) in May 2025 with a B.A. in political science and a minor in environmental social science. Jerome has a demonstrated passion for community engagement, protecting the environment, and democratizing natural resources. At MSU, Jerome pursued internships with the Natural Resources Defense Council, United States Forest Service and the Executive Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer. He plans to continue his education and refine his policymaking skills by pursuing a master's degree in public policy with a concentration in environment and energy policy. As a public service fellow, Jerome will work with MidTown Cleveland, Inc. to support their efforts in real estate development, planning and placemaking initiatives, and long-term business growth in the MidTown and AsiaTown communities. 

Madeline Gardner

Host Site: City of Cleveland

Madeline Gardner graduated in 2024 from Ohio University. She studied urban planning and sustainability, with certificates in GIS and wealth and poverty. During her time in undergrad her research focused on wealth and racial disparities, food insecurity, as well as the impact of redlining in the Cleveland area. While pursuing her undergrad, she interned with the Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission and upon graduation, she began an internship with the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission. While working as a Cleveland Foundation fellow, her mission is to foster a landscape that not only serves community members, but also supports the local economy. Her love of Cleveland and its people has always driven her work, and she looks forward to joining team at the City of Cleveland in their Department of Economic Development where she will be working closely with locally owned businesses. 

Audrey Ray

Host Site: Cuyahoga County

Audrey Ray is a recent graduate of the University of Alabama, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in environmental science with a minor in liberal arts. She grew up on the west side of Cleveland and is thrilled to work as a fellow with the Cuyahoga County Department of Sustainability, engaging with the communities and natural world that she calls home. As a former Cleveland Foundation summer intern, Audrey is also excited to reconnect and build more relationships with others who are passionate about making a difference.    

Caitlin Larkin

Host Site: City of Cleveland

Caitlin Larkin grew up in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and is a recent graduate of John Carroll University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science, with minors in data science and leadership development. During her undergraduate studies, she worked with nonprofits focused on economic development and health and human services. She is currently placed at the City of Cleveland in the Department of Community Development, where she works on neighborhood revitalization.