WCBA students gain hands-on experience with entrepreneurial companies

Six students from the Williamson College of Business Administration at Youngstown State University will spend summer 2026 gaining hands-on entrepreneurial experience through the Nathan H. and Frances T. Monus Entrepreneurship Fellows Program, working directly with startup and growth-stage companies across the region.

The Monus Entrepreneurship Fellows Program connects students with entrepreneurial ventures and innovation-focused employers, allowing them to apply classroom learning to real-world business challenges while building professional experience in fast-paced business environments. The program partners with organizations, including the Youngstown Business Incubator, to support experiential learning opportunities that strengthen the region’s innovation economy.

Students selected for the summer 2026 Monus Entrepreneurship Fellows Program include:

• Dylan Durkos, placed with LeapFast
• Matthew Farelli, placed with LeapFast
• Tanishka Mangesh Agnihotri, placed with Vitruvian
• Ryan Evangelista, placed with Gizmo & Trinket
• Caedon Trotter, placed with AROPHA
• Judin Balella, placed with Little Tusk

Participating companies represent a range of entrepreneurial industries, including technology, branding, product development and workforce innovation.

“The Monus Fellows Program has been invaluable to Vitruvian, connecting us with talented, motivated interns from YSU,” said Shantanu Pagare, process and workforce development manager at Vitruvian. “Last year, we worked with Christopher, whose creativity, work ethic and professionalism made such an impact that we hired him full time. Since then, he has continued to grow in business development while helping strengthen career technical center relationships that support our continued growth. We are grateful that YSU continues preparing students who create real value for companies and communities.”

The fellowship program is designed to provide students with career-related projects that strengthen their academic preparation while helping entrepreneurial companies advance key initiatives and business growth objectives. Fellows work closely with company leaders and entrepreneurial professionals throughout the experience.

Through programs like the Monus Entrepreneurship Fellows Program, WCBA continues expanding opportunities for students to gain professional experience, strengthen employer connections and contribute to the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.