Nine Miami students further their career aspirations in local government with the Ohio Public Leaders Fellowship
Professional development and networking opportunities with Miami alumni were offered during January Term.
Nine Miami students further their career aspirations in local government with the Ohio Public Leaders Fellowship
This year, Miami’s January term gave nine CAS students an exciting opportunity to get involved with local governments in Ohio with the Ohio Public Leaders (OPL) program. Over four weeks, they learned first-hand about the responsibilities and day-to-day tasks that come with working in local government.
The OPL program, sponsored by the Center for Public Management and Regional Affairs (CPMRA) in the Department of Political Science, provides a unique experience outside of the classroom for participants to apply their education to real-world settings. These practical, co-curricular experiences enhance their understanding of the inner workings of state and local governments and related organizations across Ohio.
“When Dr. Phil Russo, former CPMRA director and professor of Political Science, started the OPL program in 2013, the idea was to provide an experiential learning opportunity to students, a way for them to test and build their school knowledge in an applied setting, and hopefully help direct some of Miami’s greatest talent right to Ohio’s state and local government,” said Patrick Haney, professor of Political Science and current CPMRA director.
The program also often connects current Miami students with Miami alums -– and even former Ohio Public Leaders.
“Ten years later, it is a terrific success, thanks to our great student OPL Fellows and the efforts of their alumni hosts,” Haney said.
Students accepted into the OPL program received a fellowship stipend and academic credit hour during their internships.
“I’d recommend students of any major to check out the OPL program because it is fantastic for any student, especially to people who like serving a community and want to have public service opportunities,” said Mollie Duffy, a junior Public Administration major. “I felt so fulfilled.”
Mollie Duffy - City of Oxford
Duffy worked under the City of Oxford’s sustainability coordinator, Reena Murphy ‘21 MS ‘23. There, she was responsible for researching how cities develop climate action plans, like the one that Oxford passed in 2023.
“I identified the benefits, trade-offs, and synergies,” said Duffy. “It was about translating the climate action plan to focus on its impact on the community.”
Duffy explained that one of her fondest memories of her fellowship was the ability to develop relationships with people who worked in local government. “I’m glad I was able to establish myself as part of the team,” she said. “I was able to develop these connections and relationships, and having that experience will be good when I have an in-person internship and I’m able to transfer skills I had working there.”
Chloe Emberton - Ohio State Auditor’s Office
Psychology major Chloe Emberton worked for the state auditor’s office during her OPL fellowship, hosted by Miami alumna Nicole Smith ‘05.
“During this experience, I learned the importance of delegation, teamwork, and collaboration,” said Emberton. “I was able to keep myself accountable to complete different tasks and projects on time.”
Emberton explained that OPL was one of her first opportunities to develop real-world skills. “You gain an abundance of real-world experience,” she said. “I recommend this to other Miami students!”
Gloria Gulenga - City of Cincinnati
Gloria Gulenga, a senior majoring in Public Administration, interned in the City of Cincinnati’s Office of Budget with Miami alumnus Dr. Andrew Dudas. She assisted at city council meetings and worked with the budget and finance committee on a project for the community budget request.
“I never had a chance to work in public service or work with the community before,” Gulenga said. “My OPL fellowship was a great opportunity for me to learn more about the community and how the budget works overall.”
Gulenga wrote a memo intended to educate Cincinnati citizens about the budget request process. She explained that each department submits projects requested by each neighborhood, which are then reviewed by the Office of Budget for approval. “As a transfer student to Miami University, I found the OPL to be beyond my expectations,” Gulenga said. “Having hands-on practice while learning was something I never dreamed about.”
Read Gloria's SpotlightJack Humenay - Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
Jack Humenay, senior Public Administration major, was paired with a fellow OPL alum, Clare DiCuccio ‘21, at the Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission. MORPC focuses on community resources and long-range planning in the Columbus area.
At MORPC, Humenay worked in the transportation sector on an ongoing project called “Link Us,” which intends to create an improved bus route across Columbus. Humenay and DiCuccio worked with grants that go towards improving transportation for the elderly and those with disabilities.
“This was a great experience,” said Humenay. “It was great to get started in this city and learn more about what I might want to do.”
Chloe Pesa - Grandview Heights and Hicks Partners
Chloe Pesa, a senior Political Science major and Business minor, spent her past two J-terms working with the municipal government of Grandview Heights followed by Hicks Partners, a contract lobbying firm in Columbus. Both experiences were hosted by Miami alums and former OPLs. In Grandview Heights, Pesa worked with the local government to create crisis communication plans. This winter she had the opportunity to work with contracts and auditing. In the fall, Pesa plans to join JP Morgan Chase in their Chicago office.
“It was really interesting to see how lobbying and the government touches on everything,” said Pesa. “I feel more confident in taking the job at Chase because I came to realize how much my political science education is actually relevant to the world of business.”
Pesa’s advice to future students looking to get involved is to embrace the connections within their major. “Within CAS, you have a chance to make connections with your professors,” she said. “Your teachers will know your name here. They really want to help you.”
Rachel Pritchard - Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
Before accepting her internship, Rachel Pritchard had little to no interactions with public transportation or auditing. A sophomore Political Science and French double major, she accepted an internship position with the transit authority in the greater Cleveland area. Her primary responsibility was within the internal audit department, working with community-funded bus shelters.
“I’d had some experience working in a budgeting office, but auditing was new to me,” said Pritchard. “I was able to go in and learn something new.”
Having learned new skills in a professional setting, Pritchard plans to attend law school after graduation and believes that her experience will greatly benefit her in the long run.
Sophia Miller - Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority
Sophia Miller is a third-year Public Administration and Strategic Communications double major who spent her winter with the Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority. Her primary job was to evaluate the condition of buildings within the area and then create a map of her findings, with proposed recommendations for areas in need of improvement.
“I had the ability to go out and take on a project and do it on my own,” said Miller. “This was an incredibly valuable experience no matter what field I end up entering.”
Miller plans to graduate from Miami a year early and attend law school. “This experience made me realize how strong Miami’s alumni connections are,” said Miller. “I had never really experienced how tight this circle was.”
Rosie Schuermann - Springfield Township
Rosie Schuermann, a junior Economics and Public Administration major, worked with the administration team of Springfield Township in Hamilton County. During her time she shadowed each department in order to get a better understanding of working for local government.
She was hosted by township administrator and Miami alum Chris Gilbert. Schuermann hopes to work on economic policy in the future, and she said she appreciated the insight the OPL fellowship gave her on the intricacies of enforcing policy at the administrative level.
“I was able to see how Springfield Township works with elected officials of the township,” she said. “It was a good opportunity to start networking as well.”
Mason Tumblin - Foundation for Appalachian Ohio
As a freshman entering Miami, Political Science and Economics double major Mason Tumblin didn’t think he would have the opportunity to spend his first J-Term interning with a nonprofit organization. He participated in an internship with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, an organization focused on philanthropic work in the southern Appalachian region of Ohio, composed of 32 counties.
“I was focused on the data and analytical side of things, processing and tracking fundraising and scholarships,” Tumblin said. “I also had the opportunity to meet with the CEO and she talked me through the company mission.”
Tumblin was hosted by Miami alumna and former OPL and student member of the Board of Trustees Megan Cremeans ‘20. The Foundation was hoping to host a student from an Appalachian county, and Tumblin resides in Athens, near the FAO headquarters -– a perfect match. “Overall, it was an amazing experience,” Tumblin said. “This is why I came to Miami…for the alumni connections and systems that Miami has.”
