Youngstown State University students were among the graduates recognized Wednesday, Aug. 12, at the Global Trade in Action: Highlighting Ohio Exporters event held at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus.
The event celebrated students from across the state who successfully completed the Ohio Export Internship Program, a statewide initiative that prepares future professionals through hands-on experience in international trade, exporting and supply chain management.
YSU students recognized at the ceremony included Ameer Abuukaz, Adam Awad, Madelynn Hanna, Abby Hughes, Averi Mazei, Geno Millione and Lojein Yacoub. Additional YSU students who completed the program but were unable to attend the ceremony included Juliana Marbella, Jacob Crawford, Josh Christie, Biswash Adhikari and Tanatswa Mapiki.
The event brought together students, university leaders, businesses, legislators and state officials to celebrate the accomplishments of the interns and the companies that provided them with valuable real-world experience. Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalek spoke about the importance of developing a skilled workforce to support the state's economic growth. Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel also joined the celebration, meeting with students and recognizing their accomplishments and success in the program.
Youngstown State University was well represented at the event, with students recognized for completing the program alongside faculty and university leadership, including Christina Saenger, dean of the Williamson College of Business Administration.
“Our students’ successful completion of the Ohio Export Internship Program reflects both their career readiness and the meaningful contributions they have made to Ohio businesses,” Saenger said. “The program demonstrates what is possible when universities, government and employers work together to develop talent, strengthen businesses and support economic growth throughout our region and state.”
Mousa Kassis, director of the Ohio Small Business Development Center Export Assistance Network at YSU and instructor for the Ohio Export Internship Program course, served as a keynote speaker during the event. His presentation, “Ohio Export Trends Analysis,” examined changes in Ohio’s international trade landscape over the past seven years and explored opportunities for future growth in the state's export economy.
“Ohio’s export economy has significant opportunities for continued growth,” Kassis said. “Understanding trends and changes in global markets is essential to helping businesses identify new opportunities, strengthen their competitiveness and expand their international presence.”
The Ohio Export Internship Program is a partnership between the Ohio Department of Development and Ohio’s public universities, including Bowling Green State University, Cleveland State University, Ohio University, The Ohio State University and Youngstown State University.
Through the program, students gain practical experience working directly with small- and mid-sized companies on international business and export-related projects. Interns apply classroom knowledge to real-world business challenges while developing skills in market research, international marketing, export documentation, compliance and global business development.
The graduation ceremony marked the culmination of the students’ work and provided an opportunity to recognize the contributions they made to their host companies throughout the program. The event also celebrated the businesses that hosted the interns, supported their professional development and demonstrated a commitment to exporting.
As Ohio continues to expand opportunities for businesses in international markets, programs such as the Ohio Export Internship Program play an important role in connecting companies with talented students while developing a workforce prepared to compete in the global economy.
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