Ohio's economy is getting a shot in the arm thanks to students jumping headfirst into the world of international trade. The Ohio State University and the state's Department of Development recently celebrated the up-and-coming minds who participated in the 2025 Ohio Export Internship Program. The event, held at the Fawcett Center, shone the spotlight on the multifaceted benefits of this hands-on educational endeavor.
Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, whose résumé boasts a storied tenure as the Ohio State Buckeyes football team's head coach, spoke with palpable pride about the state initiative. According to the OSU News release, Tressel emphasized the significance of collaboration with local businesses: "If it weren’t for our partnerships with business and industry, there is no way we could continue to grow and to become huge for the state of Ohio, huge for this country and all over the world." It's clear, the program's success hinges not just on academic preparation but also on the private sector's willingness to nurture talent.
This year's ceremony didn’t just celebrate students, but also the companies that served as their training grounds. Kim Roseler, manager for Ohio State's National Center for the Middle Market at Fisher, highlighted the essential role these firms play in the fabric of Ohio's economy. "These brands are the backbone of our community. They are a critical part of our supply chain, generating more than $10 trillion in annual revenue," she told OSU News. Roseler’s words threw into sharp relief the symbiotic relationship between education, industry, and economic growth.
The names of the standout students and their respective host companies were listed with due acclaim. Participants like Emily Gu at Global Recovery Group, Harry Wu at Star USA Inc., along with Katrina Whitmore at Stewart Glapat Corp., Wenhui Yan at Tech International, William Colella at Daavlin, and Xin Lin at Expeditors International, were all celebrated for their achievements. A nod was also given to the diverse array of other Ohio colleges, such as Bowling Green State University and Cleveland State University, where students are grooming their expertise for the rigors of global commerce.
At its core, the Ohio Export Internship Program is all about giving students the tools they need to face the real-world challenges of international trade, as Don Hackney, an export assistance network adviser from Ohio University, underlined the transformative potential these internships hold. In his words, "Each of these institutions has played a vital role in preparing students to take on real world challenges of international trade," as reported by OSU News.
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