The Scioto Foundation offered its ninth Internship Program through the University/Access Network this summer. This six-week, experience paying salary and benefits to a limited number of eligible students provides the opportunity to participate at a local nonprofit organization or governmental agency.
The UCAN Internship offers college students and recent graduates the opportunity to participate in a meaningful career-related work experience, provide students with first-hand knowledge of Scioto County’s public sector, its role within, importance to, and impact upon our community, and introduce students to career paths available within nonprofit organizations and/or governmental agencies.
UCAN Internship Host Sites are selected from the participating nonprofit organizations of Scioto Gives, and local governmental institutions. The Host Sites mentor the Interns by providing meaningful work and learning experiences, offering them responsibility for special short-term projects, and pledging to pay the Intern through their payroll with grant funds provided by the Scioto Foundation. Interns are expected to meet all eligibility criteria of the regular employee, including background checks, drug screening and work assignments.
This summer, four students returned from their university campuses to experience the UCAN Summer Internship at four participating non-profit organizations.
Scioto County Developmental Disabilities, Operations Department – Outreach Team Internship Mentors: Theresa Rowland, Jessica Hoffer
Aleigha Spradlin, UCAN Intern
A graduate of Clay High School, Aleigha is majoring in Graphic Design at Shawnee State University. She brings two prior years of UCAN Internship experience, having interned at The Potter’s House Ministries and at Cirque D’Art Theatre in previous years. Aleigha brings a long history of hard work to the internship, as a Scioto County 4-H club member and a leader on the Junior Fairboard. She is active in working with children in her church. She is an accomplished percussion musician. She has studied ballet, jazz and lyrical style dance. She has participated in pageants locally and on a statewide level.
The intern is a member of the Outreach Team within the Operations Department, assisting with the planning and implementation of the many events that Scioto County Developmental Disabilities provides for eligible individuals of all ages, their families, and the community. The 2026 summer events have included the Vern Riffe School Prom and Graduation, the All-County Special Athlete Track and Field Day, the Scioto County Special Olympics Banquets, and the 5th Annual Summer Kick-Off Cookout. As summer programming continues, Aleigha has assisted with a variety of events and activities provided by Scioto DD.
While the primary responsibility of this internship is developing skills in working with individuals with developmental disabilities and their families through special programs and events, Aleigha’s additional duties include assisting with graphic design and media production. She has also shadowed employment meetings with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities and observed individuals with disabilities in permanent job placement settings.
The Outreach Department of the Scioto County Development Disabilities, 1112 Gallia Street, Portsmouth, OH, fosters community, connection, and celebration among those served by SCDD.
Main Street Portsmouth in Bloom
Mentor: Emily Uldrich
Katelyn Knox, UCAN Intern
Katelyn Knox is a graduate of Wheelersburg High School, and a 2026 graduate of Shawnee State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. While planning to enter the Master’s Degree program at The Ohio State University in the fall, Katelyn has spent the past six weeks working at Main Street Portsmouth in Bloom through the UCAN Summer Internship Program.
Katelyn brings a strong background of work experience to her internship assignment. While attending Shawnee State she worked as a teaching assistant at the Children’s Learning Center. She also has experience working as a hospitality aide and receptionist at The Lantern at Morning Pointe, in Russell Kentucky, providing support to the long tern care residents and their families.
Katelyn gained research experience at Primary Investigator on research projects at Shawnee State University. She completed training and certification in Institutional Reiew Board (IRB) Research Training, as well as the 40-hour Applied Behavior Analysis certifications. Her organized, detail-oriented, event planning skills, along with proficiencey in Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, and Google Workspace enhance her skills as an excellent fit for the Main Street Portsmouth in Bloom organization.
The Main Street Portsmouth in Bloom internship focuses on social media & email marketing, communications, data tracking, event planning, and limited physical labor related to spring beautification in Downtown Portsmouth. The intern’s duties include creating digital content, basic photo and video editing, using data tracking spreadsheets, assisting with event logistics, conducting marketing research, and occasional installation of hanging flower baskets.
MSPIB Executive Director, Emily Uldrich praised Katelyn’s contribution to the organization, stating “Katie’s skillset has allowed her to help us with the creation of digital and physical content to promote our local heritage, the preparation of materials to promote our membership and volunteer programs, and the generation of informational narratives for award nominations for the Heritage Ohio Main Street America Program and the State Historic Preservation Office. It has been my pleasure working with Katie Knox. She has been an immense help to our organization, exhibiting the professionalism and flexibility vital to facilitating our programming. We will continue to benefit from the work that Katie has done for years to come.”
Cirque D’Art Theatre
Mentors: Alicia Bobst, Pegi Wilkes
Tehya Hazelbaker, Intern
Tehya Hazelbaker is a Portsmouth West High School graduate, entering her sophomore year in Bachelor of Harp Performance at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance.
While performance is her mission, she aims to obtain a Bachelor of Harp Performance followed by a Master of Harp Performance, and a Doctor of Music Theory. Tehya’s career goal is to serve as faculty member of a Music Conservatory, teaching Harp Performance at both Bachelor and Master’s levels.
Past work experience includes serving as Guest Principal Harpist at the Ohio University Wind Symphony Orchestra and the Ohio University Symphony Orchestra and the R.E.M Explore Tour 2025. She has served as Guest Harpist at the Shawnee State University’s Nursing Pinning Ceremonies. Volunteer experience includes the Dorothy Knost Summer Music Workshop, and the Columbus Symphony League.
Tehya has called upon her years of dance and music performance education and experience to assist with the Cirque d’Art 2026 Summer performances and productions. Job duties have included costuming, props, aerial equipment pieces, and publicity. She has advertised the performance via radio interview. She has worked the highly succesful production of Cirque D’Art 25 Years. Job duties have included run-through rehearsals, load in/out at the VRCFA, tech week, and the completion of the performance. She has assisted with various backstage duties, helping with running the productions observing sound, light, stage managing, and set design.
Tehya has helped organize and facilitate, and serve as instructor for the Cirque D’Art Explorers Camp, for children ages 5 – 10. When asked about Tehya, the teenage students described her as “Intelligent; Capable; Sophisticated; Elegant; Kind; Communicator.”
Cirque D’Art Theatre Executive Director, Pegi Wilkes describes Tehya as “Lovely and wonderfully kind, Tehya has been a true blessing for Cirque this summer. The 25th Anniversary production was quite an undertaking! Lots of routines that people had submitted as their past favorites. Tehya was on headset stage R calling the next routines and performers to stage, while calling the next group up from the dressing rooms. She was so calm and collected! One of our staff commented that they had no idea how someone who wasn’t familiar with Cirque and the production could step into that position and handle it so well! Thank you, a million times over, for assigning Tehya to Cirque!”
Cirque D’Art Theatre is a non-profit performing arts studio located in Portsmouth, Ohio – in operation for over 25 years, offering dance, tumbling, acrobatics, and their favorite—aerial arts! At Cirque, every child is given an equal opportunity to perform.
The Potter’s House Ministries
Internship Mentor: Janel Dixon
Bryson Hunt, UCAN Intern
Bryson Hunt is a graduate of Russell High School. This fall he will begin his senior year at the Cincinnati University College Conservatory of Music, where he is double majoring in Music Performance and Music Education.
Bryson is a member of his campus chapter of Chi Alpha Christian Ministries and the Ohio College Music Educators Association. He has performed with the College Conservatory of Music’s bands, orchestras, the Trombone Choir, the Trombone Quartet, and the People’s Church. He marched with the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps and was awarded their Brass Rookie of the Year award.
Bryson’s volunteer experience includes serving as instructor in the Dorothy Knost Summer Music Workshop at Cornerstone Church in Portsmouth. While on UC’s campus he is an active volunteer in Chi Alpha Christian Ministries, and New Horizons Orchestra.
Throughout college, Bryson has worked to help with tuition costs by serving as a part-time low brass teacher, primarily involved with the marching band at Campell County Schools and as a part time instructor at Beechwood Independent Schools. He works as a Trip Leader and Guide for AdventureServe Ministries, in Wilmore, Kentucky.
Bryson’s internship assignment has been to assist with all aspects of the 10-week Summer Day Camp at the Potter’s House Ministries in Sciotoville, Ohio. Summer Day Camp is designed for children ages 5–18. The camp provides breakfast, a morning snack, and lunch each day. Throughout the summer, children participate in a variety of activities including crafts, games, educational lessons, and field trips. This program serves a growing number of foster and kinship children, providing them with a safe, fun, and nurturing environment during the summer months.
Janel Dixon, Bryson’s mentor said “We would like to highlight Bryson’s outstanding work. Bryson’s primary responsibility has been developing and writing curriculum for the summer program, and he has done an exceptional job. Not only has he created engaging lessons and activities, but he has also stepped into a leadership role in implementing the program with the children. In the short time Bryson has been with us, he has already made a significant impact. The children have quickly connected with him and look forward to spending time with him each day. His positive attitude, energy, and willingness to engage with the kids have helped create a welcoming and exciting environment.”
The Potter’s House is a Nazarene Compassionate Ministry Center and a 501(C)3 charitable organization, located at 5409 Winchester Avenue, Sciotoville. It is a food and resource organization that includes a food pantry, and the food box programs, to help supplement the pantry. It is all free of charge to the community it serves.
For more information about the UCAN Internship, contact Kimberly E. Cutlip, Executive Director, the Scioto Foundation, 303 Chillicothe Street, P.O. Box 911, Portsmouth, Oh 45662. Email: Kim@thesciotofoundation.org