ZANESVILLE, Ohio (AVC News) — The Muskingum County Community Foundation and J.W. & M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation have announced the 2026 recipients of Make Muskingum Home, a post-graduation scholarship program designed to retain and attract a talented workforce to Muskingum County.
The two foundations began meeting in 2020 to address the issue of “brain drain” in Muskingum County. Make Muskingum Home was developed as a result of those discussions and officially launched with its first application cycle and awards in 2022.
The program provides up to $50,000 in student loan repayment assistance over five years per recipient. Payments are made directly to the recipient’s loan provider through an installment plan administered by the Muskingum County Community Foundation.
The 2026 recipients are:
- Krae Merryman — Zanesville City Schools, educator
- Makayla Heil — Chimera Veterinary Services, associate veterinarian
- Samantha Moore — Genesis HealthCare System, clinical pharmacist
- Olivia Simon — West Muskingum Local Schools, teacher
- Jeff Shaffer — Tri-Valley Local Schools, teacher
- Roman Staley — Genesis HealthCare System, nurse
- Charles Hall — Muskingum University, chemistry lab manager
- Jenna Burkhart — Bishop Fenwick School, teacher
- Mackenzie Bice — Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center, student services supervisor
- Kilie Pletcher — Muskingum Valley Health Centers, dentist
- Samantha Ramsey — Zane State College, marketing and communications manager
- Elizabeth Bennett — Genesis HealthCare System, clinical pharmacist
To qualify, recipients must live in Muskingum County and work for an employer with a significant presence in the county.
Applicants must have graduated from college or post-secondary training within the previous seven years. Current Muskingum County residents who graduated within the previous three years may also qualify.
Non-residents accepted into the program are required to relocate to Muskingum County within 90 days.
The program’s 2025 class included 13 recipients, each eligible for up to $50,000 in student loan repayment assistance over five years.
The foundations say Make Muskingum Home is intended to encourage graduates and young professionals to establish careers and lives in Muskingum County while strengthening the local workforce.
Last Updated on August 27, 2026 by AVC News
