Today’s students are entering a workforce that looks much different than it did a decade ago. As industries evolve and technology transforms how we work, the most valuable learning often happens outside the classroom. For students at Grove City College, the Entrepreneurship + Innovation (E+I) Fellows Program offers that bridge between theory and practice, placing talented undergraduates in hands-on internships that make a tangible difference in their communities.
Through partnerships with startups, small businesses, and nonprofits, the E+I Fellows Program immerses students in real-world problem solving. Fellows are matched with organizations through a distinctive Preview Night, where employers meet potential interns, outline their project needs, and collect resumes. Afterward, employers identify their preferred candidates, and the E+I team facilitates interviews and placements that best align student skills with organizational goals.
This fall, three E+I Fellows found themselves right in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Northside, serving with the Northside | North Shore Chamber of Commerce, the Neighborhood Community Development Fund, and The Pittsburgh Project. Each organization plays an important role in supporting local businesses, driving community revitalization, and expanding opportunities for residents. Each student has made a unique impact through their internship experience.
“This semester’s E+I Fellows placements are centered around nonprofits, startups, and a handful of small businesses that span five counties in Western Pennsylvania, plus one in Eastern Ohio,” said Emma O’Toole, Community Manager for the Center for Entrepreneurship + Innovation. “Selecting host organizations was more competitive than ever. Every applicant brought their A-game and submitted detailed, thoughtful, and compelling applications. It’s clear that word is spreading about the program, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see its continued growth and the meaningful impact students make in just eight weeks.”
At the Northside | North Shore Chamber of Commerce, Ethan Agate is serving as the Entrepreneurship and Business Development Intern, leading several creative tourism and business engagement projects. A Pittsburgh native, Agate was drawn to the Chamber’s mission and the opportunity to contribute to his hometown’s economic vibrancy.
“A professor and mentor encouraged me to explore the Fellows Program at Grove City College, and when I saw the Northside Chamber listed, it really caught my attention,” he said.
His work this semester includes helping plan the Flat Northside Friends Scavenger Hunt, a community-wide event scheduled for January, and participating in the development of a new tourism initiative called Heritage on the Move, set to launch in 2026.
“The tour will showcase multiple historical locations that highlight Pittsburgh’s rich history,” Agate said. “It’s been insightful to see the starting point of developing a plan that helps others dive into the deep and rich history of the Northside.”
In addition to his planning, Agate has also taken the lead on creating content for a travel resource guide for North Shore hotels and cultural entities, designed to spotlight local businesses and attractions.
“I’ve written up a business plan model for the new tourism initiative and organized the travel guide to shine a spotlight on Northside businesses,” he said. “It’s been a fun and meaningful way to help people experience the Northside.”
He credits strong communication and curiosity as key lessons learned.
“I’ve really learned the art of asking questions and relying on my supervisors,” he said. “It’s all about staying engaged and giving your best effort, even on the days you don’t feel like it.”
Over at the Neighborhood Community Development Fund, Abby Larko has been applying her business analysis background as a Data Analyst Intern, helping the organization track loan performance and support small business borrowers across the Northside and beyond.
“I became interested in this internship after attending Preview Night at Grove City, where I met Mark Masterson and learned about the role,” she said. “It aligned perfectly with what I wanted to do as a business analysis major.”
Her primary project involves analyzing data from repeat borrowers to see how their credit scores have changed
Image courtesy of the Northside North Shore Chamber of Commerce over time.
E+I Fellowship helps organizations working with limited resources
“It’s been rewarding because the data I collect will be used to create a visualization tool for loan managers,” Larko said. “That tool will help them see how their repeat borrowers are performing, which will make lending more efficient.”
Working remotely, she has also learned the importance of organization and clear communication.
“I’ve learned how critical it is to document where my information comes from and to ask specific questions, so I don’t cause confusion,” she said. “And I’ve found that breaking up long stretches of data work helps me stay focused and avoid burnout.”
At The Pittsburgh Project, Caleb (CJ) Mayhew has been exploring the inner workings of a nonprofit organization as a Data Management Intern.
“I’ve always been curious about how nonprofits operate behind the scenes,” he said. “I couldn’t imagine a more meaningful way to spend my free time than contributing to one.”
Mayhew’s main focus has been helping The Pittsburgh Project clean and organize its data following a transition to a new customer relationship management (CRM) system called Monkeypod.
“My projects include removing duplicate emails, checking permissions, and importing data for grant management,” he said. “When one project became too time-consuming, I used my Excel experience to automate parts of the process.”
He also learned how to navigate challenges, for instance, when a software bug halted his progress.
“I learned the importance of not always trying to figure things out on my own,” Mayhew said. “Having people above me who know more than I do is a blessing, not an inconvenience.”
His time at The Pittsburgh Project has helped him identify a growing interest in data and systems management.
“I really enjoy work that involves problem-solving and making systems easier for people to use,” he said.
“As a non-profit organization with a small staff, it’s not possible for The Pittsburgh Project to hire someone for special projects,” said Rachel Martin of The Pittsburgh Project. “Every intern we have had placed with us through the E&I Fellows program has been dedicated and well qualified. The work that CJ is doing this fall as our Data Management Intern is tedious and time consuming, and he has been nothing short of excellent with each task he completes.”
Through experiences like these, the E+I Fellows Program continues to cultivate not only professional growth but also community impact. Each student’s contributions help strengthen local organizations while providing valuable insight into their own future career paths.
“We’ve placed fellows in a wide variety of roles including marketing, event planning, finance, communications, graphic design, web development, data analysis, and human resources,” said O’Toole. “This range makes the program accessible to students across all majors at Grove City College. One of my favorite parts of the experience is watching their confidence grow and their skills sharpen throughout the internship. The transformation is truly inspiring.”
As Agate reflected, “It’s about helping the community while growing yourself.”
Organizations interested in hosting an E+I Fellow for the Spring 2026 cohort are encouraged to visit gccentrepreneurship.com/host-organizations/ to learn more and submit an application. The deadline to apply is Dec. 19 at 11:59 p.m. n
