The Women of Cincy Residency:
Mentorship in Action

We’re looking for residents! Applications are due December 11. Details below.

Women of Cincy is a nonprofit dedicated to creating more connected and empathetic communities. Our residency program is aimed towards college students with interests in journalism, communications, and multimedia. Young people must be a part of the conversation and a part of the action. We believe in investing in young people by giving them an active role in creating work that exemplifies integrity, quality, and social good.

The Residencies

How does the residency work?

The Women of Cincy residency generally spans two semesters. In residents’ first semester, they build skills and establish a deeper understanding for Women of Cincy and their own goals. Their second semester comes with the title of senior resident in which they act as peer mentors to the new residents and continue gaining valuable experience. Capstone projects span both semesters.

Note: Preference will be given to candidates who can commit to two semesters, but applicants who can only commit to one semester are still welcome to apply.

Positions are unpaid, except in glowing references and the chance to build community with a group of amazing Cincinnatians. Check out details below.

To apply, email Olivia Taylor at otaylor17@gmail.com with your resume and a sample of your work by December 11. Put the name of a woman you admire in the subject line.

Editorial Residents

15 flexible hours/week working remotely with some in-person meeting time in the Pleasant Ridge and North Avondale areas.

• Write, fact-check, edit, and build editorial content

• Write, manage, and schedule social media from editorial content

• Assist editors with new ideas and projects

• Build weekly and monthly newsletters

• Build articles on our website

• Various administrative tasks that include website maintenance, organizing contact info, and more

• Assist directors with new communications ideas and strategies

• Manage and create an independent capstone project of your choosing, such as an interview series, creative piece, social media campaign, oral history, etc.

Meet the Residents

Olivia Taylor
Residency Director | Spring 2020-present
Resident | Summer/Fall 2019

Olivia is a Cincinnati native, U.C. graduate, nature lover, pasta connoisseur, and former Women of Cincy resident. She believes in the power of storytelling to create a more empathetic community and a kinder world. She is happiest with a book in her hand and her cat and dog, Samwise and Lola, by her side.

Kate Bertsch-Jones
Summer 2023

Kate is a fourth year student at the University of Cincinnati studying Communications and Journalism. Kate is motivated by her family, friends, love for writing and the various inspiring women in her life, all of which brought her to where she is today. After graduation, she hopes to one day be a music journalist and tell the stories of independent female artists. In her free time she enjoys crocheting, film photography and record collecting. 

Isabella Avendaño
Spring 2023

Isabella is a junior at the University of Cincinnati, where she is studying journalism with a minor in psychology. After finishing school, she would like to write about pop culture and the arts. Isabella loves drawing and taking her dog, Selena, out for walks. She also enjoys video games, reading comics, and occasionally treating herself to a pink drink!

Hailey Semchee
Summer/Fall 2021

Hailey is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati in rhetoric and professional writing, as well as a minor in marketing. In her free time, you can find her listening to music or reading novels. She also likes watching Netflix and hanging out with her family, friends, and two cats, Hazel and Boris.

Emma Segrest
Fall 2020/Spring 2021

Emma is a junior at the University of Cincinnati currently working towards her majors in journalism and creative writing. When not in the office, she can be found at your local farmers market or sipping iced coffee. As well as being a resident, she also serves as editorial captain for Her Campus Cincinnati and serves as a volunteer with the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio

Aaron Sary
Spring/Summer 2021

Women of Cincy’s first male-identifying resident, Aaron is a junior at the University of Cincinnati studying journalism and political science. When he’s not working, you can find him on hiking trails, playing chess for hours on end, and correcting people’s grammar mistakes. Aaron also enjoys watching his favorite sports teams, spending time with friends, and stuffing himself with Thai food.

Shannon Smith
Summer/Fall 2020

Shannon is a recent graduate of the University of Cincinnati, where she studied journalism and international affairs. When she’s not working, you can find her reading the recent New York Times best sellers, visiting art museums, planning her next getaway, or spending all her money on coffee and wine. As a Cleveland native, she enjoys spending her time at the lake and taking long drives with the music blasting.

Karina Baffa
Fall 2018/Spring 2019

Karina is a senior at UC navigating her way through a journalism degree. Her love for writing and passion for the community is what led her here today. When she’s off the clock, you can find her tending to her house plants, spending copious amounts of time on her skincare routine, or trying to get used to this whole Oxford comma thing.

Capstone: For my capstone, I wanted to choose a topic that would challenge me, make me look at something in a different way, and shine light on an important issue. After reading Women of Cincy’s housing insecurity series, I decided to look at gentrification in Over-the-Rhine.

Maggie Heath-Bourne
Spring 2019

Maggie is a Cincinnati-based writer and photographer. Originally from the great barbecue city of Memphis, she came to the Queen City for the UC degree and stayed for basically everything else. When her hands aren’t busy holding a camera or typing, they’re probably busy baking something.

Leigh Ann Popik
Spring 2019

Leigh Ann grew up in Cleveland, but found her home away from home at the University of Cincinnati. She recently graduated with a degree in marketing and plans to move to New York City to follow in the footsteps of Don Draper (minus the scandals). Her natural curiosity for learning new things means she is always exploring a new hobby. Currently, she is learning how to play the piano!

Kate Ducey
Summer/Fall 2018

Kate is a fourth year at the University of Cincinnati studying communication and marketing. She has a love for exclamation points, dogs, Cincinnati, books, social justice, and trees. Kate's ultimate dream job will forever continue to be a dog walker, but for now she hopes to work for nonprofit post graduation.

Capstone: My capstone was all about helping people see their day-to-day lives in a different light

Emerin Boomer
Summer 2019

Emerin is entering her senior year studying history and environmental studies at Xavier University, but she is originally from Nashville -- and she spends a lot of time in Colorado. Her passions include reading, dancing, making playlists, and Westerns. You can usually find her eating frozen yogurt or wearing platform boots.

Lindsay Combs
Community Mix Editor | Spring 2019
Resident | 2018

Lindsay is a Cincinnati native and Covington resident entering her final year studying journalism at UC, while finishing accidental minors in communication and psychology. She is a taco enthusiast with a passion for writing, Skyline, showtunes, and Harry Potter marathons.

Capstone: My capstone was an open conversation with four college women regarding their faith, how to be open to others, and how they tackle conversations about faith in the current society.

Kiersten Wones
Residency Director | Spring 2019-Spring 2020

Kiersten is passionate about challenging “the way things have always been done”; investing in young people; music; culture; and all things Cincy. When she’s not at school working towards a master’s in psychology, you can find her chasing her 5-year-old son; behind the bar at the iconic Blind Lemon; and singing at bars and cafes around Cincinnati.

Natalie Galle
Fall 2020/Spring 2021

Natalie is a senior at the University of Cincinnati, where she will be earning an English degree focused in rhetoric and professional writing. Outside of work and school, Natalie can usually be found drinking earl grey tea and reading classic American novels. She also enjoys painting, spending time with friends, and being anywhere outdoors.

Janet Chu
Summer 2020

Janet is pursuing a master’s degree in professional writing and a certificate in data analytics at the University of Cincinnati. She is an advocate for the arts and environmental sustainability, with a focus on sustainable fashion and zero waste living. Originally from Hong Kong, she loves to explore Cincinnati in her free time.

Rebecca Wolff
Spring 2020

Rebecca is a sophomore at Miami University working towards her journalism and creative writing co-major. She can be found taking abnormally long walks around Oxford with her headphones in, working on poems beside a piping hot cup of joe, listening to Oprah’s “Supersoul Conversations” podcast, or talking on the phone with her sister until one of them falls asleep or her battery dies. Alongside being a resident, she also works for her school paper as a staff writer and is the community service director for the Gamma Nu chapter of Alpha Phi.

Hayley Champion
Summer 2019

Hayley is an avid audiobook listener and a firm believer that “stories can save you.” She enjoys the outdoors, vegetarian cooking, and road trips. Her passions for furthering equality and actuating change drive her to be her best self. She stays afloat by finding the humor in everything.  

Erin Glynn
Summer 2019

Erin is a Covington resident and a senior at Miami University studying global politics and journalism. Her love of the Queen City and untold stories led her to Women of Cincy. She spends her free time devouring romantic books and movies, and falling down Wikipedia rabbit holes.

Natalie Heisser
Summer/Fall 2018/Spring 2019

Natalie is a freshman at Miami University studying accounting. Her passion for supporting and uplifting others in the community led her to the Women of Cincy team. Caffeine fuels her, but her friends and family motivate her to accomplish her goals.

Stephanie Smith
Fall 2018/Spring 2019

Stephanie is a super senior (and a first generation student) at the University of Cincinnati, majoring in journalism with minors in electronic media and English. Her time as a clerk and assistant web editor at the Cincinnati Post inspired her to return to school in 2014 to finally finish her degree and get back into a newsroom. When she’s not working on her digital journalism skills, she’s writing about beer and binging on Hallmark movies.

Ally Lim
Summer 2018

Ally, a Cleveland native, is currently a fourth year at the University of Cincinnati studying communication and public relations. She has a passion for fashion (especially OTR’s boutiques), enjoys holding puppies, and prefers to be on a beach reading a romance novel. As a lover of food, Ally hopes to travel the world and try every culture’s cuisine one day.

Capstone: My capstone involved the completion of Instagram highlights that are categorized by Women of Cincy's pillars: storytelling, community, collaboration, and mentorship. I also created Instagram story guidelines for the next social media resident to enhance the engagement and impressions on Instagram.

Shae Saffell
Spring 2024

Shae is a junior at the University of Cincinnati studying English with a minor in Psychology and certificates in copyediting and professional writing. Outside of school, she can be found reading books, attempting to bake, or playing with her cat, Meera.

Sarah Dieterich
Spring 2024

Sarah is a senior at the University of Cincinnati studying English and Communication with a certificate in Copyediting & Publishing. Outside the classroom, you can find them exploring local coffee shops and baking cookies with their mom. After graduation, Sarah hopes to work in copyediting and pursue a master’s degree to become a librarian.

Winter Crews
Summer/Fall 2023

Winter is a senior at the University of Cincinnati, where she is studying journalism and political science, with a minor in criminal justice and a legal studies certificate. When not in the classroom, Winter can be found taking the field with the UC Bearcat Marching Band. Outside school and marching band, she loves reading, building puzzles, and sushi.

Sydney Llewellyn
Fall 2022/Spring 2023

Sydney is a University of Cincinnati Student in the English Creative Writing and Rhetoric and Professional Writing programs. In her free time, you can find her reading, crocheting, or playing video games. Sydney believes in the power of conversation and storytelling to create a stronger, more connected community.

Taylor Houston
Spring/Summer 2022

Taylor is a junior at the University of Cincinnati studying journalism with a certificate in digital engagement. She hopes to one day be a technical writer for aviation or work in the TV industry. Taylor loves journaling and working with digital technology. When she is not chasing after her education, you can find her hanging out with friends, working out, or painting her nails!

Molly Spitzer
Spring 2022

Molly is currently in her fourth year at the University of Cincinnati studying journalism and environmental studies. She loves to explore new activities around the city and enjoys working out in creative ways like rock climbing and triathlon training. After graduation, she would love to take a year to volunteer with AmeriCorps FEMA helping mitigate the impacts of natural disasters on coastal cities.

Sally Bishop
Summer/Fall 2021

Sally is a senior at the University of Cincinnati working towards her degree in journalism and certificates in digital media broadcasting and deaf studies. Sally hopes to become a news anchor for a beach town one day. Sally is passionate about current events, sign language, and her favorite color, pink. In her free time, she loves journaling, spending time with her cat, and playing basketball and tennis with friends.

Karley Cappel
Spring 2023

Karley is a junior at the University of Cincinnati. She is currently working towards a major in English, a minor in environmental analysis and policy, and a certificate in journalism. If she’s not at school or work you can find her making jewelry and listening to podcasts. 

Dani Delaney
Spring/Summer 2021

Dani is a senior at the University of Cincinnati currently working towards a degree in journalism and certificates in copyediting & publishing, literary journalism, and Deaf studies. She’s passionate about sustainable fashion and supporting small businesses. Outside the office, she enjoys watching horror movies, thrift shopping, traveling to national parks, and making homemade pasta.

Sara Skaggs
Spring/Summer/Fall 2020

Sara is a senior at the University of Cincinnati studying to receive a bachelor's degree in creative writing, as well as a certificates in journalism and copyediting & publishing. Sara can be found reading the newest young adult book, doing nature photography, freelance writing, or working on her first novel. Sara also works as a server at Texas Roadhouse and is an assistant coach for 15-year-olds at AiR CiTY CHiCKS Volleyball Club.

Davi Hutchins
Fall 2019

Davi is a senior at the University of Cincinnati, preparing to graduate with a degree in English with a focus on creative writing. Outside of the office, Davi can be found participating in local community theatre, getting lost in a Jane Austen novel, working on various craft projects, or re-watching “Friends” for the zillionth time.

Olivia Vitori
Summer 2019

Olivia is a Queen City native and devoted lover of dogs, Skyline, and all things Bearcats. She is a communication major at U.C., pursuing certificates in digital engagement and deaf studies. While off the clock you can usually find her binging “New Girl” on Netflix or with friends wandering the city.  

Samantha Knight
Fall 2018/Spring 2019

Samantha is a junior at U.C. studying electronic media. Her interest in design and production led her to Women of Cincy and the supportive community of women kept her there. When she’s not playing with her cat, she’s bingeing “Chef’s Table.”

Lauren Lewis
2018

Lauren is currently a fourth year student at the University of Cincinnati studying international affairs and creative writing. She drinks copious amounts of tea and buys too many books. In her free time she enjoys pinning decorative DIYs on Pinterest, writing numerous stories, and sharing plenty of embarrassing, but funny mishaps with the people around her.

Capstone: For my capstone project, I interviewed three women from Syria, Mexico, and Nepal about their journey to Cincinnati and then wrote a literary nonfiction piece about their stories.

Lizzy Geraghty
Summer 2018

Lizzy is a native Cincinnatian and a student in University of Cincinnati’s urban planning program. She joined the Women of Cincy in the summer of 2018 as a graphic design resident. Her passions include photography, graphic design, and sustainability, and she loves meeting new people.

Ellen Huggins
Residency Director | Summer/Fall 2018
Resident | Fall 2017/Spring 2018

Ellen is an opinionated morning person and a recent U.C. grad. Originally from Columbus, she loves exploring Cincinnati, making playlists on Spotify, and cooking vegetarian-friendly dinners.

Capstone: My capstone was a series on students pursuing different goals, personally and professionally, to discover what makes the role of mentorship in their lives so special.