Business students selected for John D. Beeghly Fellows Program
Youngstown State University students Kodi Kinsey, Tanishka Agnihotri, Jan Harter and Nathan Heinly from the Williamson College of Business Administration were selected as the John D. Beeghly Fellows for the 2024 fall semester.
The Beeghly Fellows program provides students with a paid fellowship working with the Ohio Small Business Development Center Export Assistance Network and the APEX Accelerator at YSU.
Projects include domestic and international market research, financial modeling, export readiness studies, business viability analysis, cash flow projections, sales forecasting, marketing and social media strategies, research on government contracting opportunities, marketing capability statements and outreach for government contracting efforts.
Through the fellows program, students gain valuable work experience to competitively position themselves in the job market upon graduation.
The Ohio SBDC at YSU received a best practice for their service delivery model that integrates the student interns into SBDC services.
The ASBDC Accreditation team visiting Ohio, stated that the model should be an example to other universities based SBDCs for integrating educational, community and economic development services.
The Beeghly Fellows Program is made possible by an endowment established at the YSU Foundation by Beeghly’s wife and children.
John D. Beeghly was a lifelong resident and businessman in Youngstown, Ohio, and son of area industrialist and philanthropist, Leon A. Beeghly. From 1967 until his death, Beeghly served as vice president and director of Standard Slag Co. and Stancorp, Inc., a holding company for industrial businesses.
“We are extremely grateful to the John D. Beeghly Family for making this generous investment in our business students. Providing our students with career-related experience contributes to the success of our regional businesses and the professional preparation of our students,” said Betty Jo Licata, interim dean of the WCBA.
Kodi Kinsey is a Business Administration major graduating in spring 2026, from Wellsville, Ohio. From her participation in the Ohio Export Internship Program at YSU, Kinsey gained valuable insights regarding international markets and global trade. After graduation, Kinsey hopes to operate her own business and expand internationally. Through the Beeghly Fellows program, Kinsey has the opportunity to work with the EAN and SBDC, which will help her succeed in future career endeavors.
Tanishka Agnihotri is an international student from India and a Business major graduating in spring 2027. With a strong interest in finance, she aims to build a career in the industry. The Beeghly Fellows program provides Agnihotri with hands-on experience in government contracting and working with small to medium-sized businesses, bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world practice.
Nathan Heinly, from Jefferson, Ohio, is a Finance – Management track major, graduating in spring 2025. He was given the opportunity to become a Beeghly Fellow through his participation in the Ohio Procurement Internship Program at YSU. Heinly looks to become a professional in the world of finance, government contracting or possibly obtain a position that deals with both. His ultimate goal is to be able to run a business of his own someday. Through the Beeghly Fellowship during the summer semester, Heinly witnessed real-world clients reap the benefits of working with a SBDC. He is excited to continue this internship through the fall semester, helping small businesses succeed in both the commercial and government marketplaces.
Jan Harter is a Business Economics major set to graduate in Spring 2026. Originally from Ulm, Germany, he is passionate about pursuing a career in Corporate Strategy Consulting. Harter’s career goal is to work with global firms, guiding them through challenges and helping them capitalize on emerging opportunities in an ever-changing market. Harter’s commitment to continuous learning and his strong work ethic, developed through the Beeghly Fellowship and various academic projects, have provided him with invaluable experience in directly assisting clients. These experiences have equipped him to effectively support businesses in achieving their objectives. Harter looks forward to applying his skills and knowledge to make significant contributions in the corporate sector, approaching challenges and opportunities with enthusiasm and dedication.