YSU Beeghly Fellows

Five business students of the Williamson College of Business Administration at Youngstown State University are serving as John D. Beeghly Fellows for the 2021 Fall Semester.

The Beeghly Fellowship Program provides students with a paid fellowship working with the Ohio Small Business Development Center and Export Assistance Network at YSU. Students work on a variety of projects including financial analysis and sales forecasting, preparation of financial statements, market research and strategy development, export readiness studies and assistance, and government contracting.

The program is made possible by an endowment established at the YSU Foundation by Mr. Beeghly’s wife and children. John David Beeghly was a lifelong resident and businessman in Youngstown, Ohio, and son of area industrialist and philanthropist, Leon A. Beeghly.

“We are extremely grateful to the John D. Beeghly Family for making this generous investment in our business students,” explained Betty Jo Licata, Ph.D., Dean of the Williamson College of Business Administration, “Providing our students with career-related experience contributes to the success of our regional businesses and the professional preparation of our students.”

This semester’s Beeghly Fellows are:

Victoria Crankovic of Wexford, Pa., is a senior pursuing a degree in Financial Management and a minor in Marketing. She plans to graduate in May 2022. In addition to her work as a Beeghly Fellow at the Ohio Small Business Development Center and Export Assistance Network at YSU, Crankovic is president of Beta Gama Sigma Honor Society. She is also an intern in the YSU Athletic Department. As a Beeghly Fellow Intern, Crankovic prepares financial projections and conducts market research for local small businesses. She also assists with government procurement projects.

Michael Puhalla of Poland, Ohio, is a senior International Business major with a focus in Management and Leadership. He plans to graduate in May 2022. As a Beeghly Fellow intern at the Ohio Small Business Development Center and Export Assistance Network at YSU, Puhalla directly assists the consultants on various projects such as market research, financial projections, and marketing material for the clients. Other activities also include government procurement projects for the Procurement Technical Assistance Network. He is vice president of the International Business Organization, treasurer of the YSU Tennis Club, a member of the Society for Human Resource Management, and a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, the international business honor society. Upon graduation, Michael plans moving to Washington, D.C., to pursue a career in human resources/management and consulting and work towards an MBA.

Lindsay Roberts of Poland, Ohio, is a senior Marketing Management major with a minor in Management, planning to graduate in December 2021. As a Beeghly Fellow at the Ohio Small Business Development Center and Export Assistance Network at YSU, Roberts assists business consultants by performing market research and providing in-depth analysis, as well as helps local businesses with their government procurement efforts. Additionally, she works as a Category Management Intern with Heinen’s Grocery Stores in Cleveland. Roberts is a member of the YSU Honors College and is currently working on completing an Individual Honors Capstone in Leadership and Development. In her time at YSU, she has also been able to engage in a variety of volunteer projects and was a part of a winning team in the Spring 2021 X-Culture Global Project. Upon graduation, Roberts plans to pursue a career in marketing within the Cleveland area.

Niki Spencer of Poland, Ohio, is a senior Business Administration major with a minor in Entrepreneurship, a certification in Leadership, and is a Beeghly Fellow intern at the Ohio Small Business Development Center and Export Assistance Network at YSU. Spencer is the Public Relations Chair for ENACTUS, secretary of the YSU Club Sports Council, and was the initial creator/president and is the current social media manager for the YSU Tennis Club. Upon graduation, Specer plans on continuing her education and applying to law school.

Cassandra Tomlin of Pittsburgh, Pa., is a senior Business Management major with a focus in Management Information Systems, and a minor in Marketing. As a Beeghly Fellow intern at the Ohio Small Business Development Center and Export Assistance Network at YSU, Tomlin collaborates with consultants on market research and government procurement projects for small businesses in the area. She is also a member of the Solokov Honors College at YSU and is a Certified Global Business Professional. Upon graduating in Spring 2022, Tomlin plans to pursue a career related to International Business or Management.