This week we welcomed the 15th class of the Cleveland Foundation’s Summer Intern Program – a group we are calling our “centennial cohort.” This group of 16 professionals represents some of the top talent and emerging leadership of our region. The summer internship program’s objectives are to provide a meaningful career-related work experience at a local nonprofit and to increase a local organization’s capacity to conduct important short-term projects. Keep your eyes on this group – we expect that they will be leaving a positive mark on their organizations and Cleveland. Also, be sure to check out their forthcoming weekly blog posts.
We are pleased to introduce our 15th class of summer interns:
Erin Amschlinger, a senior at Baldwin Wallace University studying Economics and English: Creative Writing, will be placed at Stockyard, Clark-Fulton & Brooklyn Centre Community Development Office. Erin will be responsible for using social media to promote residents’ attendance at community events; attend community meetings in order to promote the Parties in the Park program to residents and work with staff with local business in order to solicit donations.
Noha Bechara, a senior at John Carroll University, majoring in Integrated Marketing Communications and Sociology, will be placed at Esperanza, Inc. Noha will create and manage a communications strategy to announce the awards of the 2014 Esperanza Scholarships. Create and implement a public relations plan, prepare press packets; develop an updated social media strategy and work with a graphic designer and a fundraiser to update and strengthen Esperanza’s website.
Nicholas Downer, a junior at Cleveland State University, majoring in Urban Studies and English, will be placed at St. Clair Superior Development Corporation. Nicholas will be responsible for engaging with residents and stakeholders in the AsiaTown area to assemble their stories, interests, histories and anecdotes – capturing the narrative that makes the neighborhoods interesting. Nicholas will also work with a local graphic design firm to inform a distinct and dramatic wayfinding program for AsiaTown derived from the information collected.
Devon Mackay, a recent graduate from Oberlin College with a degree in English Literature, will be placed at the Western Reserve Land Conservancy. Devon will be responsible for writing content that will highlight the work of the Thriving Communities Institute for the website, brochure, press releases, newsletters and publications. She will combine written content with photographs and videos for use on the website and in publications.
Kathleen Marincic, a junior at Ohio University, majoring in Strategic Communications, will be placed at the West Side Market. Kathleen will work directly with the Manager to assist with vendor communications, marketing updates and research regarding public market best practices.
Marken Nowak, a senior at Ohio University, majoring in Technical and Applied Studies, will be placed at the City of South Euclid. Marken will work closely with the Economic Development and Building Departments to develop a “Business in South Euclid” Marketing Campaign designed around the new city brand that will offer new and existing businesses a “one-stop-shop” for what it means to do business in South Euclid.
Jamie Orr, a graduate student from Ursuline College with a degree in Business Administration, will be placed at Cleveland Public Theatre. Jamie will work directly with the Development and Financial Management Departments on the annual fundraising event “Pandemonium,” and will work with the General Manager to prepare for the organization’s annual audit of financial statements.
Maria Ramos, a sophomore at Vanderbilt University with an undeclared major, will be placed at the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office. Maria will work with the Cold Case DNA Task Force members of the Cleveland Police Department, and will be responsible for contacting crime laboratories for DNA evidence, contacting hospitals to obtain medical records, assisting law enforcement with DNA leads, updating the case management database, generating reports for old cases, tracking old cases and assisting assistant prosecuting attorneys for trial.
Melinda Roth, a graduate with a degree in sociology and a minor in music from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will be placed at the Cleveland Rowing Foundation. Melinda will be responsible for assisting with planning and marketing for the Gay Games 9 and Head of the Cuyahoga Regattas to be held in August and September on the Cuyahoga River.
Rachael Rovniak, a senior at the University of Toledo, majoring in Pharmacy Administration and Business Administration, will be placed at BioEnterprise. Rachael will assist with the development of business cases and incentive packages to facilitate biomedical company expansion or attraction and she will identify and research biomedical companies to be targeted for expansion or attraction to the Northeast Ohio region.
Dana Smith, a junior at Cleveland State University, majoring in Finance, will be placed at the Cleveland Special Events Corporation/Gay Games 9. Dana will be responsible for assisting with the preparation, management and production of events during the Games. She will work closely with the Director of Operations in monitoring all non-competition elements at each venue.
Phelan Spence, a junior at Cleveland State University, majoring in Business Administration and International Business, will be placed at Ingenuity Cleveland. Phelan will be responsible for community engagement with partner organizations, general audience attendees; the community of artists and creators, the board and sponsors to help facilitate communication for the organization’s signature program, IngenuityFest.
Maggie Stark, a graduate from Ursuline College with a degree in Studio Art and a minor in PR/Marketing, will be placed at Holden Arboretum. Maggie will be establishing the organization’s YOUtopia program to educate and engage garden visitors, volunteers, staff and community in exploring climate impact and sustainable solutions.
Doanise Thompson, a junior at Baldwin Wallace University, majoring in Sociology, will be placed at Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Cleveland. Doanise will assist with the organization’s marketing plan: Developing a strategy for social media marketing and carrying out those actions; working with community papers, bloggers, newspapers and other nonprofits to place marketing materials; establishing a protocol for placing housing ads for the Community Land Trust; and promoting and helping coordinate a summer fundraiser with the Cleveland Indians.
Nicholas Wilders, a junior at Baldwin Wallace University, majoring in Theatre and Concert Management, will be placed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Nicholas will work on various projects including: The creation, execution and analysis of visitor experience surveys; an analysis of museum store retail data to identify best performing and underperforming items and ideal merchandise; and tracking critical institution-wide metrics through an organizational dashboard to ensure progress towards strategic goals.
Caroline Woznicki, a junior at Cleveland State University, majoring in Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, will be placed at MetroHealth. Caroline will assist with the planning for “My MetroHealth, My Community” Hispanic Family Fun Day event held in June and will develop and carry out communication plans to encourage employees to participate and raise funds for these events. Caroline will also plan the Fall health talk series in the community; aid in Market Research efforts and assist Communications staff with writing and editing including social media.
