Student selected for 2022 Fellowship

Student News | Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Columbus State student Aaron Saunders is among those selected for The Columbus Foundation’s 2022 Summer Fellowship Program. Launched in 2010, the program provides college students, recent college graduates, and graduate students the opportunity to work with central Ohio nonprofit organizations for 10 weeks. A total of 16 nonprofit organizations and fellows representing eight educational institutions were selected to participate this year. 

Saunders will lead summer programing at the Milo-Grogan network of gardens (just north of the Columbus Campus) through the nonprofit Cultivate CDC. During the fellowship, Saunders and other students are paid a stipend for their work and gain insight into the world of nonprofits. This experience also gives the nonprofits a chance to gain valuable contributions from the selected newcomers and the opportunity to pay a modest wage. 

2022 marks the first year for a Columbus State student to enter the fellowship. Saunders is currently in the Social Work program. Saunders says, “I am excited to learn more about the Milo-Grogan community and the needs of everyone in the neighborhood. A goal of mine is to build authentic connections with residents and put into practice what I have learned here at Columbus State. I may have the summer off from school but I’m ready to get more hands-on learning.“

At the College, Saunders is a participant in the M.A.N. Initiative, the Social Work Club, and will soon be part of the Office of Talent Strategy. He was previously the Mentee of the Year in the Career Services Mentorship program. 

Originally from Elida, Ohio, Saunders is slated to graduate from Columbus State in Fall of 2023. An aspiration after graduation is to open a novel social enterprise that combines video games, tabletop games, and art. One of the aims is to advocate and be a leader in accessibility for individuals with different needs. The space will also be used to redistribute wealth and power to individuals who are affected by the failures and inequities of our society and institutions.  

Learn more about The Columbus Foundation and the group of Summer Fellows at this link.  

 

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