10th anniversary of workforce training supporting international trade

Twelve business students have been selected and will be participating in the 2024 Ohio Export Internship Program in the Williamson College of Business Administration at YSU.

Students selected for this competitive program completed specialized coursework in exporting this spring semester and have been matched with an Ohio-based company for a full-time paid summer internship. Internship projects include export compliance, market research, market expansion and international business plans.

Originally created by the Ohio Department of Development, the export internship program provides a unique opportunity for businesses interested in expanding their exporting activities. It is currently offered through Youngstown State University, The Ohio State University, Cleveland State University, the University of Dayton, Ohio University and Bowling Green State University.

WCBA has hosted this program for over a decade, reporting over 119 students that have completed the program, in which 23 students have received full-time job offers and 23 students have completed and passed the Certified Global Business Professional exam.

Celebrating the ten-year anniversary of hosting the program at Youngstown State University, the course was updated to include 6 badges that the students would earn after passing a test. The topics are covered in-depth over 2 or 3 weeks, and include: Export Documentation, Incoterms 2020, Duty Drawback, International Terms of Payment, and Export Compliance. If a student passes all 5 main topics, they will receive the 6th badge, “Mastery in Export- Global Supply Chain.”

Mousa Kassis, director of the Export Assistance Network in the Ohio Small Business Development Center at YSU, is the instructor for the Ohio Export Internship Program course.

This year participants from the Youngstown State University cohort that are in the internship track include:

Taylor Aquisto, Youngstown State University
Residing in North Lima, Ohio, Aquisto is pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a major in Marketing. She is a member of the YSU Equestrian Club and works for a cooperative in Canfield, Ohio. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in marketing for the agriculture industry.Aquisto is matched with BrightPet Nutrition Group located in Lisbon, Ohio.

Garrett D Bailey, Youngstown State University
Originally from Lisbon, Ohio, Bailey is a Marketing major, serving as a Presidential Mentor to President Johnson at YSU. Bailey also works on campus at YSU, both at the Andrews Student Recreation and Wellness Center as marketing staff and the Math Achievement Center as a media specialist. Bailey plans to continue in the field of marketing following his anticipated graduation date in 2026. Bailey is matched with Rust Buster Frame Repair, LLC located in North Lima, Ohio.

Haley Beish, Youngstown State University
From Boardman, Ohio, Beish is a senior Business Economics Major. She is currently a member of the Economics Club and has been inducted into the Economics Honor Society, Omicron Delta Epsilon. She has also conducted foreign research in both Costa Rica and Iceland and has hosted several foreign exchange students over the years. Upon graduation in December of 2024, she plans to transition into law school where she will study international business law. Beish is matched with Taylor-Winfield Technologies, Inc. located in Youngstown,Ohio.

Zachary Chesman, Youngstown State University
Originally from Allen,Texas, Chesman is a senior pursuing a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with the focus being Supply Chain Management. He is a member of the Sokolov Honors College and was also a member of the YSU swim team for two years. Currently, Chesman works as a supply chain intern at Fastenal in Youngstown. Upon graduation in December of 2024, he plans to obtain his master's degree while working in a supply chain field career. Chesman is matched with SIMONA Boltaron, Inc. located in Newcomerstown, Ohio.

Naji Khoury, Youngstown State University
Residing in Boardman, Ohio, Khoury is pursuing a degree in Finance and Accounting. Khoury also runs a business, K’s Vending LLC, which aims to provide vending solutions to local businesses in Youngstown and surrounding communities. In addition, Khory has management experience from previous employers in the restaurant industry, earning him a SERV Safe Designation. He is involved with the Student Investment Fund, which allowed him to represent YSU in both 2023 and 2024 at the Quinnipiac Global Asset Management Education Forum In New York. Khoury plans to combine his experience in Management, Global Trade, and Finance to pursue a career in International Trade and Asset Management. Khoury is matched with Humtown Pattern Company located in Columbiana, Ohio.

Kodi Kinsey, Youngstown State University
From Wellsville, Ohio, Kinsey is pursuing Business Administration. She is currently a member of the Women's Track and Field team, as well as a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Upon graduation in May of 2026, Kinsey plans to continue in the business management field. Kinsey is matched with Kirila Fire Training Facilities, Inc. located in Fowler, Ohio.

James Kover, Youngstown State University
From Niles, Ohio, Kover is a Finance major, minoring in Data Analytics. He is currently working on campus at the Excellence Training Center. He also serves as president of YSU's Student Investment Fund. Upon graduation in May of 2026, he plans to pursue a CFA charter to combine expertise in finance and international business to advise multinational corporations. Kover is matched with Mojonnier USA LLC located in Streetsboro, Ohio.

Fatima Mohamed, Youngstown State University
Originally from Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, Mohamed is pursuing a degree in International Business. She is currently a member of PPAG and YSU Book Club. In the future, she plans to work in International Business Law. Mohamed is matched with Haltec Corporation located in Leetonia, Ohio.

Prathiksha Madishetty Naidu, University of Akron
Madishetty Naidu is a graduate student at the University of Akron, where she is pursuing a master's degree in business analytics with supply chain management. She has a strong interest in international business and works for the Institute of Global Business as a graduate student assistant. She is part of the university's leadership team and graduate student government. Madishetty Naidu is originally from India, and her prior employment was from 2021 to 2023 as a product support associate for a startup company located in the United States. Madishetty Naidu is matched with Dover Chemical Corporation located in Dover, Ohio.

David Shannon, Youngstown State University
From Austintown, Ohio, Shannon is pursuing a degree in Business Administration. Currently, he works as a construction laborer in Akron. Upon graduation in May of 2026, he plans to continue in the international business field. Shannon is matched with Molten Metal Equipment Innovations LLC located in Middlefield, Ohio.

Emily Smith, Youngstown State University
Smith is pursuing a degree in marketing, along with two minors in music violin performance and Spanish. She has been involved in various organizations at YSU, including the Dana Symphony Orchestra her first two years, as well as having a limited proficiency in the Spanish language. After graduation, she plans to continue her studies at YSU to earn a master’s degree in marketing. Smith is matched with CBC Global (formerly Columbiana Boiler Company LLC) located in Columbiana, Ohio.

Brighid Wagner, Youngstown State University
Wagner was born and raised in Staten Island, New York, though currently residing in Youngstown, Ohio. She is puyrsuing a degree in financial management, with a minor in accounting. Wagner currently serves as the Secretary for the Institute of Management Accountants Chapter at YSU and is a dedicated member of Beta Alpha Psi. She hopes to become a Financial Manager upon graduation and one day owning and operating her own event planning business. Wagner is matched with Altronic LLC located in Girard, Ohio.