Now in its 18th year, the Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Civic and Urban Engagement again hosted its summer internship program. The 2026 civic interns included 13 students, all of whom were committed to giving back to the Springfield community.

Rebekah Lebold, class of 2027 from Mount Vernon, Ohio, served as a recreation aide and naturalist intern with the Clark County Park District. Shane Spencer, class of 2027 from Kenton, Ohio, and Mikalyn Piccola, class of 2027 from Cincinnati, Ohio, served as camp leaders with the Clark County Park District, while Charlie Bell, class of 2027 from Gambier, Ohio, was a marketing and evaluation intern with the Community Health Foundation. Antwan Terrell, class of 2026 from Springfield, Ohio, was a community advocacy intern at Project Woman, and Troy Cosby, class of 2029 from Seffner, Florida, was a sports coordinator intern at the Springfield Family YMCA. Taylor Collins, class of 2026 from Carlisle, Ohio, and Myla Stanley, class of 2029 from Fairborn, Ohio, were food and farm interns at the Springfield Ohio Urban Plantfolk (SOUP).

Caden Gaffin, class of 2028 from Dayton, Ohio, and Makenna Strycker, class of 2028 from Logansport, Indiana, served as camp leader interns at the Springfield Promise Neighborhood, while Averi Wells, class of 2026 from Oaklandon, Indiana, worked as a community garden intern at the Springfield Promise Neighborhood. Karley Moore, class of 2027 from Tipp City, Ohio, was a programming and membership intern at United Senior Services, and Molly Mossing, class of 2028 from Cedarville, Ohio, was a community marketing and engagement intern at Visit Greater Springfield through the Greater Springfield Partnership.

Internships concluded with a celebration event on Thursday, July 23, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Springfield Museum of Art during which time the interns presented their poster projects and enjoyed lunch.

What the interns shared about their summer experiences:

Antwan Terrell
Theatre Performance and Educational Studies double major

Terrell interned at Project Woman in community advocacy, working across various programs, including shelter and transitional housing, assisted with youth empowerment activities, intake and crisis line operations, and data management and evaluation.

Highly engaged during his time at Wittenberg, Terrell was a member of the Wittenberg Dance Team, Alpha Phi Omega VP & Pledge Educator, Choir, Imani Gospel Choir President, former Student Senator (Faculty Student Coordinator), in CBS, Tiger Team member & leader, Alpha Psi Omega Theatre Honors Society, Alpha Lambda Delta, and a Student Employee for Womyn’s Center and Student Development. While at Wittenberg, he was also involved in 10 Wittenberg theatre productions.

“What excited me most about this internship is working alongside such motivated and positive people,” he said. “I am also happy getting to help a community that I care about. I enjoyed making flyers for media posts and hearing about all the ways Project Woman has helped survivors.”

Charlie Bell
Exercise science major

Bell, a member of the University’s Honors Program and Delta Sigma Phi, worked as a marketing and evaluation intern at the Community Health Foundation. His duties included supporting the Clark County Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL) Coalition’s efforts to promote heath and wellness across the community. This internship offered hands-on experience in public health promotion, community engagement, social media strategy, and program evaluation. It also allowed Bell to collaborate with coalition partners and community stakeholders to amplify HEAL initiatives and strengthen communication infrastructure.

“I was excited to be able to use the skills, education, and experience I have gained at Wittenberg in a professional setting, while staying connected to my values and doing what I love,” Bell said. “It was nice to be able to spread the knowledge I have gained the last three years at Witt to the community and people who need it the most.”

Rebekah Lebold
Environmental science major pursuing a minor in physics

A member of the women's swimming and diving team, the University’s Honors Program, Kappa Delta sorority, Student Senate, the Panhellenic Council, and a Hagen Center Civic leader, Lebold interned as a recreational aide and naturalist with the Clark County Park District where she was provided with a hands-on, high-energy opportunity by supporting summer camps, special events, and recreational activities. She also assisted with social media and outreach. As an intern, she was able to build her leadership, creativity, and communication skills while providing students first-hand experience in public service and community engagement.

“This internship provided me with experience in all areas of park operations,” she said. “I was able to gain knowledge about programming and conservation efforts within the local parks of Clark County. I have enjoyed all my days with the conservation team. Those days provided me with an abundance of new skills and a look into how much work goes into keeping the parks looking nice and usable.”

Here’s what the others said of their experience:

Mikalyn Piccola
Biology major and education minor

“I loved making connections with the campers.”

Shane Spencer
Primary (P-5) Education

“It was fun hearing all the different and surprising things that the kids said to me.”

Piccola and Spencer served as camp leader interns at the Clark County Park District. Those serving in this role help bring camp to life by leading games, crafts, and outdoor adventures while supporting campers and staff throughout the day. The interns help run activities, hang out with the campers, assist with setup and cleanup, and help create a positive, high-energy environment where everyone feels welcome. The internship is perfect for someone who loves working with children, being active, and having fun while gaining real hands-on experience, leadership skills, and making lasting memories.

Troy Crosby
Sport Management

“I enjoyed learning how to use websites that I can use as a director in sports.”

Crosby served as a sports coordinator intern with the Springfield Family YMCA. This position plays a key role in the daily operations of sports programs at the organization. Responsibilities included preparing and closing program spaces, overseeing volunteer coaches and officials, and assisting the sports director with a variety of administrative tasks.

Taylor Collins
Psychology major, sociology minor

“Spending time in nature every day and learning more about gardening and different plants was a great experience.”

Myla Stanley
Environmental Science and Biology

“The internship made me realize how important education is outside of the classroom. There is always more to learn no matter how much schooling you have had or how old you are.”

Collins and Stanley served as food and farm interns at Springfield Ohio Urban Plantfolk (SOUP). The Food and Farm Interns work alongside the SOUP coordinator on the ongoing implementation of food security programs and development of urban farm sites. Interns gain knowledge and experience in regenerative soil practices, including organic and no-till methods, pest/disease management for flowers and vegetables, and setting up a hydroponic system in the greenhouse. A portion of their work was done independently, along with some online projects, and included developing a 2026 local food calendar, information about social justice issues, and other activities.

Caden Gaffin
Psychology Project Management

“Seeing kids develop over the course of camps was a great experience.”

Makenna Strycker
Sociology with a criminology focus, law

“I enjoyed watching the kids grow into better individuals.”

Gaffin and Strycker were camp leader interns at the Springfield Promise Neighborhood. The two worked with SPN staff to implement daily summer programming for students in grades third through eighth. This included STEM, sports and physical activity, physical health, and self-esteem and healthy relationships. Interns gain experience in educational leadership, program development and implementation, nonprofit management, and event planning.

Averi Wells
Environmental science major and biology minor

“I enjoyed getting to know people within the Promise community.”

Wells was a community garden intern at the Springfield Promise Neighborhood, working with the Promise Visioning Garden Site Manager and SPN staff to support the Visioning Garden site. They helped grow fresh vegetables, distributed harvested produce to the local community, designed community events, and assisted in summer programming held at the garden. Interns are welcomed as ambassadors for the local neighborhood and community garden efforts in Springfield, including partner garden Jefferson St. Oasis.

Karley Moore
Marketing and communications with a minor in studio art

“This internship provided me with a better understanding of the senior community in Springfield, and I enjoyed getting to make Wittenberg Wednesdays at USS.”

Moore served as the programming and membership intern at United Senior Services in Springfield, supporting the planning and delivery of engaging programs and special events designed to enrich the lives of seniors. The focus was on creating meaningful experiences through activities, classes, and events that promote wellness, social connection, and lifelong learning. The internship offered an opportunity to gain experience in program planning, committee planning, collaboration and marketing, volunteer management, and community partner engagement while making a positive impact on adults over 55.

Molly Mossing
Marketing and Sport Management

“I enjoyed getting to connect with so many people and business owners around the city/county.”

Mossing was the community marketing and engagement intern with Visit Greater Springfield and the Greater Springfield Partnership, helping to promote Greater Springfield and keeping residents and visitors informed about events and experiences across the community. Interns gather and organize information about arts and culture events, live music, festivals, outdoor activities, family programs, and other happenings from local partners and promote these events, while providing on-site support at select community events and festivals.