Meet the Experiential Learning and Engagement Team
Amy Cossentino, PhD
Vice Provost and Dean, Sokolov Honors College and Cliffe College of Creative Arts
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.
Presley Bowser
Sokolov Honors College & Division of Experiential Learning and Engagement
Presley is passionate about helping students find their place, discover new opportunities, and make a meaningful impact both on campus and beyond. At YSU, Presley supports student retention efforts within the Sokolov Honors College and teaches Introduction to Honors, Senior Honors Thesis Capstone, and Honors International Experience. Presley especially enjoys working one-on-one with graduating seniors as they celebrate their accomplishments and prepare for what comes next, while also supporting first-year students through mentorship opportunities with the Honors Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Program. Presley works with the Honors Trustees fundraising group to support student scholarships, college events, and community partnerships, including annual donations to the United Way.
Within the Division of Experiential Learning & Engagement, Presley helps oversee budgeting and funding to keep programs running smoothly and create new opportunities for students and community partners. A favorite part of Presley’s work is connecting students with people, places, and perspectives beyond their own, including international cultural studies and community engagement experiences on San Salvador Island in The Bahamas. She also oversees Dr. Abdu’s Pen Pal Program, connecting YSU with more than eight schools and nearly 1,000 local students through meaningful educational experiences and community engagement.
Whether supporting students through their final honors milestones, building connections across the community, or exploring the world together, Presley loves creating experiences that bring people together, inspire growth, and make learning an adventure.
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.
DeAudra Edgerson
Coordinator
DeAudra Edgerson, holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Fashion Merchandising and an MBA. Both attained at Youngstown State University. With a diverse professional background, she has worked with youth in various capacities across multiple organizations, providing mentorship, guidance, educational support, and opportunities for personal and professional development.
In addition to her professional work, DeAudra is an artist whose creativity and passion for self-expression complement her background in fashion and business. She believes that each of us has a responsibility to contribute to positive change in the world and that meaningful change begins with empowering individuals to recognize their potential, use their voices, and make a difference in the lives of others.
Her educational and professional experiences, combined with her commitment to empowering young people, reflect a passion for helping youth build confidence, develop essential skills, express their creativity, and achieve their goals. Through her work and artistry, DeAudra strives to inspire others to grow, create, and be part of a better future.