Youngstown Resident Named Intern of the Month at Ashland University

2018 Jan 19

Youngstown resident Emily Wirtz, a recent graduate of Ashland University majoring in psychology, creative writing and religion, was named Ashland University's December Intern of the Month while interning as the outreach and prevention assistant at the Rape Crisis Domestic Violence Safe Haven in Ashland, Ohio.

Safe Haven's mission is to provide prevention, intervention, support and advocacy, with emphasis on empowerment to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, intimate partner violence and stalking in Ashland County 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

During her internship, Wirtz assisted in rebranding general marketing materials for the center, as well as creating a new set of marketing materials to be used on Ashland University's campus. She also researched and assisted in the creation of new programs, including a college-geared social media platform, college-age support group for sexual assault survivors, and teaching curriculum for high school and college students.

This experience gave her the opportunity to attend a variety of trainings in advocacy and awareness for sexual assault and domestic violence. In doing so, she was able to work with the Title IX committee at Ashland University and helped improve policy and also support her fellow classmates.

When speaking on her experience from her internship, Wirtz said, "It has given me the tools to care for others and myself in stressful and high-risk situations, such as those present in circumstances of domestic violence and sexual violence. Additionally, the internship, and more specifically my supervisor, has provided me with the social and business etiquette to function and excel in the workplace, no matter who I am working with."

Wirtz is the daughter of Robert and Patricia Wirtz and is a 2013 graduate of Austintown Fitch High School.

Ashland University, ranked in the top tier of colleges and universities in U.S. News and World Report's National Universities category for 2017, is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) deeply values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students. ###