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Meet the Experiential Learning and Engagement Team
Amy Cossentino, PhD
Associate Provost and Dean, Sokolov Honors College
Amy Cossentino leads Experiential Learning and Engagement at YSU, overseeing the Sokolov Honors College, the Office of Community Engagement, and Tressel Institute for Leadership & Teamwork. With more than three decades of higher education experience, Cossentino contributes as a member of the YSU leadership team, collaborating with colleagues and staff to ensure achievement of strategic initiatives. Cossentino also spearheads YSU community engagement efforts, working to ensure community partnerships make an impact and lead to mutual benefit. Cossentino holds a PhD in Educational Studies.
Mollie Hartup, PhD
Director, Sokolov Honors College
Mollie Hartup leads community engagement efforts within honors. She teaches two community-engaged learning honors seminars, Magazine Editing and Production and Campus Community Partnerships. She is also part of the Community Engagement Council and works in support of university-wide community engagement efforts. Within honors, she directs the YSU-BaccMed program and connects honors students with an interest in health careers with experiential learning opportunities. She serves as faculty liaison for YSU Faculty Led Study Abroad, which allows students to participate in short-term study abroad under the leadership of a faculty member. She holds a PhD in Communication.
Andrea Tharp
Assistant Director for Community Engagement, Sokolov Honors College
Andrea Tharp oversees YSU PenguinPulse, the university platform for finding and tracking community engagement. She leads the training program, offering live and recorded sessions to support students, faculty, staff, and community partners using the platform. She also develops educational materials for all users. She is part of the Community Engagement Council and works in support of university-wide community engagement efforts.
She holds a BA in Professional and Technical Writing and an MA in English, both from Youngstown State University.
Jenna Binsley-Smith
Program Administrator, Tressel Institute for Leadership & Teamwork
Jenna Binsley-Smith is committed to developing future leaders and creating opportunities for student growth. She leads initiatives at the Tressel Institute for Leadership and Teamwork, developing values-based leadership programs. Passionate about mentorship, she enjoys helping students achieve their goals and dreams while fostering leadership, teamwork, and personal growth. Her work focuses on creating lasting impact through education and collaboration.
She holds an MBA in Digital Marketing and Leadership and a BS in Business Administration, both from Youngstown State University.
Susan Moorer
Associate Director
Susan Moorer leads mentoring programs and other initiatives in the division of Experiential Learning and Engagement. She oversees programs to support students transitioning to college, such as the YSTAR program. She is also active with community organizations, serving as a board member for ALTA Care Group and Friends of the Fellows Riverside Gardens.
Susan teaches part-time in the YSU Department of Communication and holds a BA in Communication from Youngstown State University and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Geneva College. Susan is currently pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership.
Jan McGee
Administrative Specialist 2
Jan McGee brings over two decades of cross-sector leadership experience to her role as Administration Specialist at Youngstown State University. With a background spanning healthcare administration, nonprofit leadership, and now higher education operations. At YSU, Jan supports the YSTAR Mentorship Program, focused on the support and success of collegiate success of Scholars from the Youngstown City School District.
As a lifelong student, Jan is currently pursuing her EdD in Higher Education & Leadership at YSU. She holds an MBA in Entrepreneurship & Organizational Change Management and a BS in Healthcare Administration Leadership from Capella University. Her certifications include Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Organizational Leadership in DEI.
Bill Border
Coordinator
Melissa Chizmar
Associate Director
Melissa serves as the Program Coordinator for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Programs, in the Office of Community Engagement. In this role, she collaborates closely with local school districts to deliver high-quality, engaging in afterschool and summer programs that support student learning, enrichment, and family engagement.
She is dedicated to building strong partnerships with community organizations to bring meaningful and accessible opportunities to students and their families. From academic support to arts, STEM, and wellness activities, Melissa ensures that programs are well-rounded and responsive to the needs of each school and community served. She is passionate about educational equity and youth development and committed to creating safe, supportive environments where all students can thrive beyond the school day.
Melissa holds a Master's Degree of Science in Education with a focus on special education and a Bachelor's of Science with a focus on Family and Consumer Studies, both from Youngstown State University.
Levi Binsley-Smith
Director
Levi works with many programs across the Division of Experiential Learning and Engagement. His primary role involves keeping all of the programs well-funded and running like a well-oiled machine, but he's been known to get involved with various student projects by supporting experiential learning opportunities and participating in seminars, panels, and engaged learning. Mr. Binsley-Smith's work with the Office of Community Engagement reaches into the community and helps to support community partners and their work with YSU students. When not in the classroom or office he also supports groups across campus like the YSU Legacy Forest project.