From Uncertainty to Opportunity: How EBF Helped Ashon Calhoun Find His Path

When Ashon Calhoun attended a career fair as a student at Penn State University, he knew he was interested in media, he just wasn’t sure which direction to take.

That changed when he joined the Emma Bowen Foundation.

Through EBF, Ashon became a Multimedia Fellow at WGAL, where he gained hands-on newsroom experience that helped build both his technical skills and confidence. He quickly learned the value of curiosity, adaptability, and bringing new ideas to the table.

“EBF prepared me not just to get in the door, but to stay there,” Ashon shared.

EBF also helped open doors beyond the newsroom. After being nominated by EBF for the NCTA Education Foundation ChangeMaker Award, Ashon became the first-ever recipient of the Fund the Future Student Scholarship, earning $25,000 in support of his future.

That opportunity connected him with Bill Strahan and ultimately led to an upcoming internship with Comcast in communications and marketing this summer.

Outside of his professional work, Ashon launched his own company, Change Agents Media, where he creates impactful stories that amplify voices, challenge perspectives, and inspire meaningful change. He also continues serving in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, recently earning a promotion to Staff Sergeant.

Today, Ashon is pursuing his Master’s in Communication at Villanova University on a full graduate assistantship, an opportunity he credits directly to the experience he gained through EBF.

What makes Ashon’s story so powerful is that his connection to EBF did not end after his internship. He remains closely connected to the alumni community, describing it as both a professional network and a genuine support system.

As Ashon says:

“EBF is the key that keeps on unlocking.”