Youngstown State kicks off community engagement exhibit “Road to Carnegie”

The Office of Community Engagement and the Sokolov Honors College at Youngstown State University hosted a kickoff event for the new “Road to Carnegie” community engagement exhibit on Tuesday, March 26, at Maag Library on the YSU campus.

The exhibit showcases current service initiatives of YSU students, faculty and staff; community partner perspectives; community-engaged learning course work; and information about YSU’s journey to apply for the Carnegie Foundation Elective Classification for Community Engagement in 2026. Videos and display cases also showcase photos and artifacts of student projects in the Mahoning Valley.

“The exhibit brings to life the partnerships that have met community needs and provided students with opportunities to deepen their learning,” said Amy Cossentino, associate provost of Strategy and Engagement and dean of the Sokolov Honors College at YSU.

The event featured several speakers, including Cossentino; Amy Weaver, associate professor, YSU Nursing, students Julie Centofanti and Avinab De, and Roxann Sebest, vice president of United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. The exhibit was designed by YSU layout design artist Rachell Joy-Tupaj.

Because of its history and commitment to community engagement, the Sokolov Honors College has worked closely with the Office of Community Engagement in becoming the “front door” for community partners looking to engage with various departments and organizations on campus. Together with the Community Engagement Council at the university, they are leading the development of the YSU application to the Carnegie Foundation Elective Classification for Community Engagement in 2026. The community engagement exhibit serves as a physical reminder of all the collaborative work being done on campus and in the community.

For more information, contact Mollie Hartup, director, Sokolov Honors College, 330-941-3189.