Benjamin Bell, Office of Innovation and Performance

Originally from Shaker Heights, Ben is currently pursuing his Master of Public Affairs from Indiana University, Bloomington, specializing in public management and policy analysis. As part of his studies, Ben is a Service Corps Fellow with the City of Bloomington’s Department of Economic and Sustainable Development, focusing on sustainability priorities and initiatives for the city. This upcoming school year, he will also be serving as a teaching assistant for graduate-level statistics classes. Prior to starting graduate school, Ben worked in Washington, D.C., for four years for the legislative and executive branches of the federal government. Ben earned his undergraduate degree from Case Western Reserve University and attended the Shaker Public Schools. He is looking forward to making a positive contribution to the Office of Innovation and Performance team this summer.

Harold Bogart, Department Public Safety and Justice Services

I was born and raised in Euclid, Ohio and developed a strong interest in History, especially of non-Western cultures, as a kid. I am currently pursuing my Bachelor's Degree at Notre Dame College in both History and Intelligence Studies with a minor in International Relations. After finishing my fellowship for the Public Safety and Justice Services, I am hoping to find more opportunities in working for government; focusing on issues like Public Safety, National Security, and Foreign Policy. My favorite pass-times include playing video games or spending time with my friends, and more recently, college has helped me learn how to enjoy a good book.

Mike Brown, Regional Corrections

Married to a Berea native, Michael Brown moved to Ohio three years ago after an honorable discharge form the U.S. Marine Corps. A recent graduate of Baldwin Wallace University where he studied Political Science, Michael is passionate in local government and has plans to pursue a Master's degree in Public Administration. While attending Baldwin Wallace he led the Student Veterans of America Chapter as Student President and participated in the Model NATO conferences in Washington D.C. He is a father of two and married to an Air Force veteran. He is dedicated to policy issues concerning criminal justice and veterans and hopes to find a way to continue positively impacting others as a Public Policy Fellow for Cuyahoga County in the Sheriff's Department Division of Correction.

Caroline Devine, Department of Development

I am from Bay Village, Ohio and I am heading into my senior year at The College of Wooster, where I major in Business Economics and minor in Psychology. I am the Treasurer for my sorority at Wooster and I'm a member of Investment Club as well. Last summer I was able to study abroad in Florence, Italy which has been my favorite experience during college so far. This summer I am interning in the Development department, mostly focusing on Economic Development research. I am very excited to take the skills I learn here and apply them to my last year of college and future career.

Marcus Goolsby, Department of Consumer Affairs

A lifelong Cuyahoga County resident, Marcus is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations with a minor in Political Science at Bowling Green State University. With a passion for community engagement, Marcus has spent his time as a Resident Advisor and member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He has also held multiple positions within the student government and now serves as the Vice President. In these roles, Marcus has volunteered for different community organizations, including BG’s “Its on Us” & “Not In Our Town” initiatives, working to increase sexual assault and diversity awareness on BG’s campus. Marcus also loves to travel internationally and has experiences with other cultures, studying abroad in Spain and Paris, France.

As Marcus goes into the final year of his Undergraduate Career, he hopes to explore different paths to either start a career in crisis management, or continue his education in public affairs or political communication.

Marcus also loves to have fun and stay active in his free time. After spending the last three summers as a camp counselor at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s Summer Day Camp, Marcus is excited to explore local government in the Department of Consumer affairs and hopes to take those skills with him into the future.

Karen Naim, Communications

Karen Naim, born and raised in Kirtland, Ohio, is a recent graduate of the University of Dayton. She graduated with majors in English and International Studies and minors in Political Science and Sociology. Throughout her coursework and extracurricular activities, Karen became very interested in identifying and working to alleviate social issues around the world. She interned with the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, co-founded UD’s Amnesty International student group, participated in other student organizations, and volunteered for the Dayton African Christian Community Center. During her junior year of college, Karen had the opportunity to travel to Lebanon and Morocco where she studied abroad and participated in service-learning. Additionally, her previous internship with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services sparked her interest in government and public policy. She is very excited to gain diversified experience in the public sector through the Cuyahoga County Public Policy Fellowship Program where she will be working in the Department of Communications.

Briana Story, Sheriff’s Office

Briana Story, born and raised in University Heights, Ohio is a rising sophomore at Ohio University where she currently studies Public Health and Occupational Hygiene and Safety. Given her interest in such areas, Briana is excited to be serving as a Public Policy Fellow within the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s department. Ultimately, she hopes to gain a better understanding of the work completed by law enforcement officers, and how such work can be used to address key public health and social issues. Additionally, Briana is involved in a variety of clubs and organizations that allow her to engage with and learn from those within her community. In her free time, Briana is a frequent visitor of the Cleveland Zoo, Cedar and Lee Theater, and East Coast Frozen Custard.

Laurel Matia, Department of Sustainability

Laurel Matia, born and raised in Cleveland Heights, Ohio is an Ohio State undergraduate student studying Public Affairs. At her time at Ohio State, Laurel has become very involved in the student groups, being a member of the student government, ski club officer, and attending as many lectures brought to campus as possible. She is curious about social issues and local government. In her free time she enjoys skiing, exploring the many beautiful neighborhoods of Cleveland and walking her dog! Laurel is excited for her first experience working in county government and for the learning opportunities it brings her.

Rachel Duthie, Multi Media

Rachel, born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, is a passionate multimedia storyteller. She graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Journalism at Kent State University in May 2018. During her time as an undergrad, Duthie interned at the award-winning newspaper The Columbus Dispatch and the NPR-affiliated radio station WKSU. She also served as both an editor and reporter at the university's student run newspaper The Kent Stater. Using both her skills in videography and news writing, Rachel seeks to document the stories of both Cuyahoga County and its residents. In her free time, she is an avid concert-goer and book worm who also enjoys hiking, shopping, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.

Kareemah Hairston, Division of Job and Family Services

Kareemah Hairston is a Cleveland native and student of Kent State University studying Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies. As an advocate for Peace Education models, she is passionate about education, formal and informal, that truly empowers individuals to become their best selves impacting their respective communities. Hairston has extensive experience in facilitating dialogue for perspective sharing, program development and, workshop trainings, in the areas of conflict resolution skills, diversity and inclusion, civic engagement, world citizenry, social identity, collaborative work practices, and social justice topics.

During her educational and professional journeys, she has taken on initiatives as community leader in collaboration with Sustained Dialogue Campus Network, International Conference on Peace Education, Cuyahoga Community College’s (Tri-C) Global Issues Resource Center, intern and presenter for the InterReligious Task Force on Central America (IRTF) and their collaboration with Case Western Reserve University’s Social Justice Institute, Model African Union and Tri-C’s first Annual Northeast Ohio Conflict Resolution Youth Symposium. Today she co-founds a community organization in the Cleveland area called AFRO Collective. This organization focuses on highlighting the experiences of various peoples in the African diaspora through facilitated forums, community organizing, the arts, and scholarship.