Business students support regional government contracting activities

17 business students were selected to participate in the second year of the Ohio Procurement Internship Program (OPIP) in the Williamson College of Business Administration at Youngstown State University.

Students selected for this competitive program completed specialized coursework in government contracting in the spring semester and were matched with an Ohio company for a full-time, paid summer internship. Internship projects include procurement compliance, market research, market expansion and government sales strategy plans.

The OPIP, created by the Ohio Department of Development, is offered at YSU as a pilot initiative. The program provides an opportunity for students to work with small businesses looking to expand their sales to government procurement offices.

This year, 14 of the 17 students involved in the course have accepted internships with Ohio businesses. Of the three not pursuing an internship directly, two are considering opportunities in small business development and one is focusing on their own chosen career path.

Joseph Scott, the statewide director of the Ohio APEX Accelerator and the OPIP, is the instructor for the course. He is supported by Scot Loveland, the director of the Ohio APEX Accelerator at YSU and Dillan Pickel, the procurement specialist of the Ohio APEX Accelerator at YSU.

This year’s participants from Youngstown State University:

• Russell Adair is pursuing a BSBA degree in Marketing, on the Professional Selling Track while working for STEM Professional Services as a student office assistant. Adair plans to pursue a career in government contracting, pharmaceutical sales or the procurement field. Adair will be pursuing an internship with the Ohio Small Business Development Center at YSU.
• Tanishka Agnihotri, a Business Administration major, was matched with Specialty Nameplate & Manufacturing, Inc. Agnihotri currently works at the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor. Agnihotri is eager to utilize her experiences and skills to contribute meaningfully to an internship in government contracting. She is committed to learning from industry professionals, tackling new challenges and making a positive impact.
• Carlee Bacon, pursuing a BSBA degree, was matched with SERVPRO through the OPIP program. In the future, she is interested in having a career in procurement, but may end up choosing a separate path such as obtaining her CPA license.
• Marissa Geiss, a Marketing major, was matched with MARQUEE Creatives. Geiss is a member of the Sokolov Honors College and currently works in the Office of Academic Affairs at YSU.
• Christopher Gordon, a Finance major on the Certified Financial Planner track, was matched with D’Angelo Technologies. Gordon is a member of Beta Alpha Psi and The Institute of Managerial Accountants at Youngstown State University. Gordon plans to pursue a career in finance to help clients reach financial goals and security.
• Mason Granger, an accounting major, matched with Hunt Valve Company, Inc. Granger has completed a tax accounting internship with the firm HD Davis CPAs, and is currently working as a student assistant in the Controller's Office of YSU.
• Nathan Heinly, a Financial Management major, will be interning with the Ohio Small Business Development Center at YSU. Heinly serves as a teaching assistant in the Sokolov Honors College and is an officer in the Turning Point USA chapter on campus.
• Nathaniel Huynh, a Business Economics major, was also matched with Hunt Valve Company, Inc. Huynh currently assists his family’s business as a materials manager. Huynh is an active member of the economics club at YSU and has been nominated as a future member of Omicron Delta Epsilon.
• Vyshnavi Lakshmisetty, who is pursuing a master’s degree in Computing and Information Systems, was matched with REH Systems Solutions, LLC. She has served as a teaching assistant for junior Computer Science and Information Systems students, assisting with courses in database management, Cisco networking and Human-Computer Interaction. Additionally, Lakshmisetty worked as an Orientation Ambassador in fall 2023. Prior to her academic pursuits, Vyshnavi gained one and a half years of work experience as an Application Development Associate at Accenture Pvt. Ltd in India.
• Roger Linker, a Business Administration major, is pursuing opportunities in his career path. With a variety of experience acquired from working at Target for over three years, Linker has learned skills across multiple departments, showcasing his adaptability and keenness to learn. This hands-on experience in the retail industry has equipped him with valuable insights into consumer behavior, sales strategies and operational efficiency.
• Nicolino Mascarella, an Accounting major, was matched with Winner Aviation Corporation. He works as a delivery services assistant at Central Receiving on campus and currently serves as vice president of the YSU Men's Club Baseball team.
• Yair Morales Rivera, a Human Resource Management major, was matched with Power Tool and Supply. Alongside his studies, Rivera has maintained a role at Starbucks throughout college, where he excels in customer service and his team collaboration. Fluent in Spanish, Yair can effortlessly communicate with a diverse range of customers.
• Melina Mottiqua, a Political Science major, was matched with Taylor Winfield Technologies. Mottiqua previously held a management position at a fast food chain and now works as an admissions ambassador for the Office of Admissions on campus. She is also a member of the Sokolov Honors College.
• Aaron Myers, a Finance – Financial Management track major, was matched with Tri County Tower LLC. He is an active member of the YSU Student Government Association and Sigma Chi fraternity.
• Ryan Pribulsky, a Business Administration major, was matched with Engineered Products of Ohio. For the past two years, Pribulsky has served as vice president of the International Business organization and as president of the YSU Amateur Radio Club. After graduation, Pribulsky intends to blend his technical background in the world of radio with his interest in business.
• Madeline Saari, a Finance major on the Certified Financial Planner track, was matched with Dawn Incorporated. Saari is currently the President of the Student Information and Supply Chain Association and is in the Women’s Rugby Club. She plans to obtain her Master of Business Administration.
• Jacob Sullivan, a Marketing major, was matched with P E Systems. Sullivan served four years active duty in the United States Army as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense specialist. He currently works at the Carl A. Nunziato Veterans Resource Center at YSU and volunteers at the Warren Family Mission.