A LEAP Forward
Ohio Wesleyan Student Advances Skills, Understanding Through Summer on the Cuyahoga Internship
Name: Ebuka Okpalume '27
Hometown: Gbagada, Lagos, Nigeria
High School: Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary
Major: Pre-Medicine and Biology
Minor: Sociology/Anthropology
OWU Connection Experience: Summer internship with the Linking Employment, Abilities and Potential (LEAP) program in Cleveland, Ohio
Okpalume interned with LEAP, whose mission is to be "an agent of positive change, working to advance participation and equality in society for people with disabilities in Northeast Ohio."
"As a job coach intern, my main duties were supporting consumers as they prepared for and transitioned into employment," Okpalume says. "I was also involved in teaching workplace expectations like punctuality, communication, and dress code."
His two-month internship was coordinated by the Summer on the Cuyahoga (SOTC) program, which seeks to showcase and attract talent to the Northeast Ohio region. SOTC provides up to 80 internships each summer to students from 11 U.S. colleges and universities, including Ohio Wesleyan.
What motivated me the most was the chance to make a real impact in someone's life by helping them navigate employment barriers.
Why This Opportunity?
"I pursued this opportunity as a job coach for people with disabilities because I'm passionate about creating inclusive work environments. This role aligns closely with my values of advocacy, equity, and support. What motivated me the most was the chance to make a real impact in someone's life by helping them navigate employment barriers, and I am glad I was able to achieve that at LEAP."
My Favorite Moment
"One of my favorite moments was watching a consumer navigate work at a store independently. The client even corrected me once. Watching the client perform tasks independently was very fulfilling. It might seem like a small thing, but for them, it was a huge step toward independence. I was also able to work on research with the executive director, and we looked into cities in Cuyahoga County that had an active ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) coordinator."
Lessons Learned
"One of the biggest things I learned from this experience is that patience really matters when you're supporting someone. Everyone learns differently, and I had to figure out how to adjust my approach depending on the person. This is something I know will stick with me, especially since I want to keep working in spaces that focus on inclusion and support."
Lasting Impact
"My experience at LEAP is something that I will forever be grateful for. Working as a job coach has really helped me understand how to navigate job applications. I was able to understand what most employers are looking for when assessing candidates. This skill is something I will always be ready to share.
OWU Assistance
"My mentor was Mindy Agin from the Career Connection office. She was really supportive and regularly checked in on me. She had a Zoom meeting with me before the start of my internship to prepare me for office expectations. She also taught me networking skills that helped me navigate conversations at the office.
"My experience involved regular check-ins from Christopher Litzler, and he helped support our needs on campus." (A 2014 OWU graduate, Litzler volunteers each year to help Bishops successfully navigate their time in Greater Cleveland and their Summer on the Cuyahoga internships.)
My Campus Involvements
"I am the vice president of Rafiki, I am also a part of Phi Delta Theta, and a member of the Pre-Health Club on campus."
Why I Chose Ohio Wesleyan?
"I chose Ohio Wesleyan because of the small class size and the friendly professors."
My Plans After Graduation
"My goal is to secure more life-changing job opportunities, and OWU is helping me through the support I get from the Career Connection office."