The OWU Connection provides the ideal mix of broad knowledge, critical-thinking skills, and practical experience to prepare you for your first job and a successful career.
Emma Zajac ’23 – Behavioral Technician
Majors: Neuroscience and Pre-Medicine
OWU Connection Experiences: Internship in Senegal working at L’Hopital Dantec for the pediatric psycho-oncology unit; study abroad in Dakar, Senagal; Summer Science Research project with Prof. Bailey working on human cognition with video games; externship shadowing an OWU alum neuroscientist; volunteered as mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Jada Respress ’23 – Investigative Reporting Fellow
Majors: Communication and Politics & Government
OWU Connection Experiences: Research project to travel to Cape Town, South Africa, and London, England, to interviewed people about the nature of Black Journalism in Cape Town to help write a college-level course for OWU; she then created a multimedia course called Black Women in Journalism; internship with WOUB Public Media in Athens, OH, where she shot, edited, and wrote broadcast television news.
Brittani Stiltner ’23 – Student Mentor
Majors: International Studies and Spanish
OWU Connection Experiences: Emergency Services Intern at People In Need, Inc., of Delaware County in Delaware, OH. She helped clients stay in their homes and prevent electricity, water, and gas shutoffs. She also spent a semester studying in Quito, Ecuador.
Isabel Soloweij ’23 – Automated Chemistry Lab Technician
Majors: Chemistry and Mathematics
OWU Connection Experience: National Science Foundation REU at the University of Kansas, performing studies exploring effects of zinc on dopamine release and reuptake in zebrafish; she also worked as an undergraduate research assistant at Ohio State University, completing computational chemistry research in the development of chemical nerve agent therapeutics with the Hadad Research Group.
Kayla Rush ’23 – Program Analyst
Majors: Biology and Dance
OWU Connection Experience: Internship through the Federal Bureau of Investigation Honors Internship Program, working in the FBI’s Laboratory division; she also completed a dance senior research project.
Trevar Meese ’23 – Treasury Analyst
Major: Finance
OWU Connection Experiences: Internship in business operations at Jarrett in Orrville, OH.
Ethan Brooker ’23 – Investment Specialist
Major: Finance Economics
OWU Connection Experiences: Internship and service as an analyst for the Ohio Wesleyan Investment Club, which manages a $170,000+ stock portfolio. This portfolio is chosen democratically by students in the organization.
Abby Stepp ’23 – Elementary Music Teacher
Major: Music Education
OWU Connection Experience: Summer music camp counselor
Hannah Landes ’23 – Clinical Research Coordinator
Major: Psychology
OWU Connection Experience: Internship with National Association of Community Health Centers
Melanie Jimenez ’23 – Associate Software Engineer
Majors: Computer Science
OWU Connection Experience: Nike Global Technology Internship
Abby Biddle ’23 – Behavioral Neuroscience Research Assistant
Majors: Neuroscience
OWU Connection Experience: Summer Science Research project project titled “Determining the Effects of Adolescent Stress on Psychiatric-Related Behaviors and Neurobiology of Adult Mice” under the mentorship of Chelsea Vadnie, assistant professor of Psychology and Neuroscience.
Abby says: “My favorite part of my SSRP experience has been being able to work one-on-one with Dr. Vadnie. She is a brilliant neuroscientist and mentor, and learning from her has been one of the best opportunities during my years at OWU.”
Joseph DeRusso ’23 – Operations Development Program Member
Major: Management Economics
OWU Connection Experiences: Internship at PNC Bank in Cleveland; internship at Northwestern Mutual in Cleveland; independent research project as a Community Research Fellow, studying the economic impact of the City of Delaware Fire Department.
Autumn Ford ’23 – Staff Assistant
Majors: Politics & Government and Pre-Law
OWU Connection Experiences: Congressional intern with the Black Caucus Foundation; internship with Permaculture Association in Barcelona, Spain.
Nicholas Cianciola ’23 – Incoming Special Agent
Major: Accounting
OWU Connection Experiences: Accounting and tax internship with Pease, CPAs.
Mikayla Watts ’23 – Biological Science Technician
Majors: Environmental Science
OWU Connection Experiences: She worked as a natural resource intern for the USDA Forest Service at the Northern Research Station in Delaware, OH, the summer and fall of 2022; also completed an internship at Seminary Hill Farm during the summer and fall of 2021; she also worked with Prof. Anderson to collect data on permanent forest plots as part of the Ecological Research as Education Network and used this data to conduct research.