PortalMeet 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.
Elizabeth Cianciola
Director, Office of Community Engagement
Elizabeth Cianciola serves as the Director in the Office of Community Engagement (OCE). Throughout her career, Elizabeth has demonstrated a commitment to research and evaluation focused on supporting and meeting the needs of our communities. She coordinates and manages grant funded programs which further the work of the OCE to connect students, faculty, staff, and communities to create and maintain mutually beneficial academic, research, and service partnerships that strengthen our communities.
She holds an MSEd in Educational Administration from Youngstown State University and a BS in Secondary English Education from Kent 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.