We’re excited to introduce you to the 2018-19 cohort of Cleveland Foundation Public Service Fellows! After a nationwide search that attracted nearly 100 applications from 18 states, and representing 58 colleges and universities, nine individuals have been selected for this year’s fellowship. In September, these fellows will begin their placements in Cleveland, working at local public sector and nonprofit agencies:  

Ethan Barham, hosted by Cleveland Public Library

Ethan is a northeast Ohio native and a member of the College of Wooster’s 2018 graduating class. At Wooster, Ethan was an active member of the college and graduated with a major in political science. As a Fellow, Ethan will assist with the Cleveland Public Library’s Neighborhood and Community Stakeholder Engagement Plan, striving to create a more cohesive strategy of engaging Cleveland’s neighborhoods and the library’s numerous community partners.

Makela Hayford, hosted by City of Cleveland, Mayor’s Office of Sustainability

Hayford, a native Kansan, is a 2018 graduate of Case Western Reserve University in sociology. As a Fellow, she will support the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and the Sustainable Cleveland 2019 Steering Committee in coordinating strategic planning, fundraising, marketing and branding, outreach and communication, and event planning efforts. Hayford will be identifying and implementing strategies to engage all Cleveland neighborhoods in the Sustainable Cleveland 2019 celebration.

Chris Hoey, hosted by Cuyahoga County Office of Reentry

Hoey, a 2017 electrical engineering graduate from Manhattan College, will be serving at the Cuyahoga County Office of Reentry. During his time as a fellow, he will be performing work and research on special community initiatives with internal and external work groups to discuss and implement imperative programs that will help to navigate systems of reentry and reduce recidivism while educating others on relevant legislation, laws, and statistics that impact this line of work. Chris is a native of Las Vegas, NV and a former Jesuit Volunteer who served in Cleveland.

Courtney Hutchinson, hosted by MetroHealth

Hutchinson is a 2016 graduate of Louisiana State University in both international studies and political science. Since graduating, Courtney has served two years with City Year Cleveland, an AmeriCorps program focusing on bridging the gap in urban education. As a fellow, Courtney will coordinate efforts in the Office of Patient Experience to create a comprehensive plan to support the MetroHealth system’s community trauma initiatives. Courtney grew up in both New Orleans, LA and San Diego, CA.

Andrianna Peterson, hosted by City of Cleveland, Mayor’s Office of Communications

Peterson is a 2018 Denison University graduate in sociology, anthropology and communication. Working within The City of Cleveland Mayor’s Office of Communications, she will support the department’s public relation strategies by communicating with City of Cleveland stakeholders and communities. Peterson’s areas of focus include media relations, social media, and general communications projects that require long-term planning and execution. She is a native of Cleveland, Ohio from the Collinwood area.

Lydia Stump, hosted by Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District

Lydia Stump is a 2017 graduate of Washington University in St. Louis with a major in anthropology and a concentration in global health and the environment. With the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, she will assist in developing a sustainability plan for the District to improve its energy management and materials management, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve workplace culture, employ green transportation, and contribute to community resilience. Lydia is originally from Findlay, Ohio.

Brianna Watkins, hosted by Enterprise Community Partners

Watkins is a 2018 Vanderbilt University graduate in political science and human & organizational development. At Enterprise Community Partners, Brianna will take a multidimensional approach to help discover durable solutions to increasing economic opportunities for low-income people. Brianna will also work with Enterprise Cleveland’s director to assess possible partnerships, define success, and create the implementation framework for a new economic mobility effort. Watkins’ hometown is Decatur, Alabama.

Curt Williams, hosted by Cuyahoga County Council

Williams is a 2018 graduate of Kenyon College in sociology. At Cuyahoga County Council, he will work alongside Policy Staff to conduct extensive legislative and policy research to provide information to council members. In addition to assisting with several ongoing projects, Williams will be granted the opportunity to tackle other Council projects of interest. Williams is a Northeast Ohio native, originally from Chesterland.

Nicole Yapp, hosted by Cleveland Foundation

Yapp is a 2018 graduate of the University of Florida in History, International Studies and African American Studies. As a fellow, she will work with the Cleveland Foundation’s Marketing and Communications team, as well as other key foundation staff and community partners, to support operational and community outreach functions for the foundation’s Common Ground initiative. Nicole grew up in Jamaica and Central Florida. 

We look forward to welcoming these fellows to Cleveland in September! You can learn more about the Cleveland Foundation Public Service Fellowship program here.