YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Four Youngstown State University Williamson College of Business Administration students have been selected as the John D. Beeghly Fellows for the 2025 fall semester.
Jan Harter, James Slessor, Moritz Bayer and Tanishka Agnihotri earned the distinction from the program that
provides students with a paid fellowship working with the Ohio Small Business Development Center, Export Assistance Network and the APEX Accelerator.
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. Students gain career-related work experience to position themselves in the job market upon graduation.
The SBDC at YSU received a best practice recognition for its service delivery model that integrates the students selected for the fellows programs into their services.
“Through the support and generosity of the John D. Beeghly Family, the Beeghly Fellows program creates a unique and transformative opportunity for our students, enabling them to be part of cutting-edge learning experiences – from hands-on research and applied technology to strategic analysis and forecasting – that prepare them to graduate ready to lead and make an impact,” said Christina Saenger, WCBA interim dean. “This investment in our students bolsters the capacity of our SBDC, EAN and APEX Accelerator, allowing these centers to expand their reach, offer more specialized services and deepen their work as engines for economic growth in our region.”
The John D. Beeghly Fellows program is made possible by an endowment established at the YSU Foundation by Beeghly’s wife and children.
Beeghly was a lifelong Youngstown resident and businessman and son of area industrialist and philanthropist Leon A. Beeghly. From 1967 until his death, he served as vice president and director of Standard Slag Co. and Stancorp Inc., a holding company for industrial businesses.
About the Students
Harter is a business analytics and economics major and is expected to graduate this spring. Originally from Ulm, Germany, he is driven by an interest in corporate strategy consulting. His long-term goal is to collaborate with global companies, assisting them in adapting to shifting market conditions and seizing emerging opportunities.
Slessor is a supply chain management major with minors in professional selling and international business. Slessor, of Auckland, New Zealand, is passionate about global commerce and aspires to build a career in international sales and logistics. A 2025 Ohio Export Internship Program participant, Slessor completed his internship with Haltec Corp. in Leetonia and earned his NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional credential.
Agnihotri is a finance major with a minor in data analytics. Agnihotri, of Maharashtra, India, is interested in the intersection of finance, analytics and strategic decision-making. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in finance to further enhance her analytical and strategic skills, with the goal of helping organizations make informed, data-driven decisions.
Bayer, of Vienna, Austria, is a finance, management track major. He is eager to gain experience in the business world as he prepares for a career in finance. Through the Ohio Export Internship Program last summer, he deepened his understanding of international trade and its financial implications. His goal is to pursue a career that integrates his experiences from both his internship and fellows program.
Pictured at top: Beeghly Fellows from the Ohio Small Business Development Center at YSU are James Slessor, Tanishka Agnihotri, Jan Harter and Moritz Bayer.