South Bend has been a home to my family for generations, it’s given us a place to not only live, but to be a part of a community. I was raised on the south side of town, just a few blocks north of the Scottsdale Mall (yes, you’re old if you remember this place) and on the east side of Mishawaka by Penn High School. I chose to go to school locally at Indiana University South Bend because of the community around me. By the time I started college, the South Bend I was raised in had changed drastically. The city felt alive again, for the first time in a long time it felt like it had a heart beat, and I wanted to be a part of it. 

From childhood tap lessons to competing in Dancing With Our Stars, Melissa’s love for dance has come full circle. The South Bend-Elkhart region offers a thriving arts and dance community, from classes at Forever Dance Studio to stunning performances at the Morris Performing Arts Center. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned dancer, opportunities abound for learning, performing, and connecting through dance. Join enFocus in celebrating the World of Pop at this year’s Dancing With Our Stars and support an incredible cause.

"Growing up, I couldn’t wait to leave my small town—but life led me back, and I fell in love with the region. From South Bend’s charm to Michigan’s hidden gems, this place shaped my journey. Watching it grow alongside me has been a joy, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be."

enFocus places its Fellows in an accelerated growth program, giving them the opportunity to work closely with community leaders and decision-makers at the highest organizational levels. For many Fellows this marks their first foray into the professional world, but unlike most entry-level positions they are entrusted with roles that influence pivotal decisions from the outset. While this responsibility might seem intimidating, it is a profound learning experience, offering real-time feedback on the tangible impact of their work.

With support from enFocus, the City of South Bend received $1.87 million through the USDA Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry grant in September 2023. In managing this award, enFocus continues to partner with the City to help reach its goals to expand the Urban Tree Nursery Network, establish permanent plantings at schools, and bolster education and workforce development. To meet the goal of planting around 9,000 trees over five years as covered by this grant, our team is committed to learning firsthand the processes of planting and maintaining trees.

Gain crucial interview experience, as enFocus facilitates the Innovation Pitch Competition. Undergrad and graduate students will have the opportunity to learn some of the tools and processes that enFocus uses to support innovation in local civic and industry sectors. After a brief learning session, students will create and then pitch an innovative program, product, service, or process. Winners will receive fast-tracked interview processes, and awards.

Taking the first step towards your career goals is a big step to take. As you navigate your professional interests, consider these tips and tricks when attending career fairs, and applying to enFocus positions. We look forward to seeing you at a career fair near you!

Each August, enFocus has the opportunity to welcome a new cohort of Fellows. This is an exciting time where new perspectives are added to our meeting rooms, and new community members are connected to the Region. 

The ability to analyze data cannot exist in a vacuum. It takes a team of collaborators to collect, analyze, sort, and understand what to do with the information that has been collected.

There is more than one way to define an effective leader. Some may define a leader as flexible, willing, and open minded while others may say a leader is disciplined and direct. Whatever your definition of an effective leader is, it is most important to understand how you set others up for success in a leadership role.

Self-belief is the driving force behind entrepreneurship, and it hinges on the ability of individuals to transform their ideas into tangible outcomes.

Big change often has small beginnings. For enFocus, we understand that every step in the right direction has a considerable impact on the future of an organization.

Our participation in Dancing with Our Stars to raise funds for South Bend Center for the Homeless is a way for enFocus to support an organization that uplifts individuals to strengthen our surrounding community.

Our Fellows have many diverse skills, but one of the most important is their ability to creatively problem solve.

Innovation has long been a part of the South Bend-Elkhart region, and at enFocus we aim to keep the entrepreneurial spirit alive.

Teamwork at enFocus goes beyond mere cooperation; it’s the collective power to harness our diverse talents to make a shared vision a reality. Over the past year, we have introduced internal “pods” where Fellows from different projects converge to exchange knowledge, experiences, and best practices.

At enFocus, everyday is different. Some days you may work remotely in the comfort of your home, and other days you may find yourself leading focus groups, facilitating strategic planning sessions, or visiting sponsor sites. During your time as a Fellow, you will get a variety of professional experiences across sectors and industries within the South Bend-Elkhart region.

Researching and analyzing data is important in today’s age, but what does that look like in a professional setting?

Originally from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, I came to South Bend in June of 2021 to attend the University of Notre Dame, where I earned a M.S. in Engineering, Science, and Technology Entrepreneurship (ESTEEM). This educational pursuit equipped me with a new toolkit for entrepreneurship and innovation–along with a new perspective on how I might leverage my career and skillset for meaningful impact.

Healthcare, education, local government, nonprofits, technology, and manufacturing industries all have the potential to obtain grant funds and spur innovation in the region.