Beeghly Fellows Program connects WCBA students with real-world business impact

Through a unique fellowship that blends applied learning with direct service to regional businesses, five Williamson College of Business Administration students have been selected as the Spring 2026 John D. Beeghly Fellows at Youngstown State University.

Aaron Lesner, Jan Harter, James Slessor, Tanishka Agnihotri and Moritz Bayer will serve as paid fellows supporting the Ohio Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Ohio SBDC Export Assistance Network (EAN), and the Ohio APEX Accelerator at YSU.

In these roles, students work directly with small businesses on projects that include market research, financial modeling, export readiness studies, cash flow analysis, sales forecasting, marketing strategy and government contracting research.

This hands-on experience allows students to apply classroom knowledge to real business challenges while providing valuable technical support that strengthens the region’s entrepreneurial and economic ecosystem.

The impact of the Beeghly Fellows model has received statewide recognition. During a recent accreditation visit, the Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC) identified YSU’s integration of student fellows into SBDC services as a best practice model that should be replicated by other university-based SBDCs for effectively connecting education, community engagement, and economic development.

“The Beeghly Fellows program creates a transformative opportunity for students to engage in meaningful, applied work that directly benefits businesses in our region,” said Dr. Christina Saenger, Interim Dean of WCBA. “Through the generosity of the Beeghly family, our students gain invaluable professional experience while our SBDC, EAN, and APEX teams expand their capacity to serve more businesses with deeper, data-driven support.”

The program is made possible through an endowment established at the YSU Foundation by the family of John D. Beeghly, a lifelong Youngstown businessman and community leader committed to supporting education and regional economic growth.

About the Spring 2026 Beeghly Fellows
Aaron Lesner is a Business Administration major from Auburn, Ohio, with strong interests in leadership and organizational effectiveness. He serves as vice president of Theta Chi, sits on the Financial Affairs Board for the Student Government Association and is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma.

Jan Harter, from Ulm, Germany, is pursuing a degree in Business Analytics and Economics. He is interested in corporate strategy and global business problem-solving. 

James Slessor is a Supply Chain Management major from Auckland, New Zealand, with minors in Professional Selling and International Business. A participant in the Ohio Export Internship Program and a NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional, he also serves as captain of the YSU Men’s Swim Team.

Tanishka Agnihotri, from Maharashtra, India, is a Finance major with a minor in Data Analytics, focused on data-driven financial decision-making and strategy. 

Moritz Bayer is a Finance major from Vienna, Austria, who previously participated in the Ohio Export Internship Program and is interested in the intersection of international trade and finance.

The Williamson College of Business Administration is committed to preparing students with professional skills, applied experiences, and data-informed decision-making abilities needed to meet the evolving demands of today’s employers while supporting the economic vitality of the region through talent, programs, and business services.