PortalYSU’s Tressel Institute expands Summer Leadership Institute into year-round experience
Twenty-four students from 16 school districts developed leadership, teamwork and confidence through a three-day experience at Youngstown State University.
The rising high school juniors and seniors from the 16 school districts across the Mahoning Valley and surrounding region gathered July 16-18 for the second annual Summer Leadership Institute, hosted by the Tressel Institute for Leadership and Teamwork at YSU.
The free, three-day program gave students the opportunity to explore leadership through hands-on workshops, group challenges, campus experiences and community engagement. Students examined servant leadership, personal values, communication, teamwork, goal-setting, defining success and learning how to “fail forward.”
They also explored the YSU campus, challenged themselves through high-ropes and team-building activities at the Andrews Student Recreation and Wellness Center and served the community through United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley’s Saturday of Caring.
The 2026 Summer Leadership Institute cohort included Myleigh Moyer and Alison Price of Badger High School; Patrick Young of Boardman High School; Noah Sferra and Yaleiska Diaz of Campbell Memorial High School; Emelia Korom and Alex Conley of Canfield High School; Max Marino of Cardinal Mooney High School; Evan Neely and Sapphire Lin of Howland High School; Taylor Rodgers and Lilian Boone of Hubbard High School; Abdul Ismail of Lakeview High School; Kassandra McConnell of Mohawk High School; Connor McNinch of Poland Seminary High School; Demetrius Gonatas of South Range High School; Kendall Erb and Chloe Angelo of United Local Schools; Braylan Bankston of Ursuline High School; Aidan Stoudt of Valley STEM; Colin Koniowsky and Abigail Zolka of Weathersfield Local Schools; and Logan Work and Myah Newell of Western Reserve High School.
The Tressel Institute is a student development initiative at YSU that helps young people grow into confident, purpose-driven leaders through reflection, mentorship and real-world experiences. Named for former YSU President Jim Tressel, the institute emphasizes leadership that begins with knowing yourself, building strong relationships and making a positive impact.
“The Summer Leadership Institute reflects YSU’s commitment to helping students recognize their potential and see themselves as leaders,” said Amy Cossentino, vice provost and dean of the Sokolov Honors College and Cliffe College of Creative Arts. “By connecting students from across the region with meaningful experiences, mentors and one another, we are helping them build skills that will benefit their schools and communities now and prepare them for what comes next. Expanding this into year-round programming allows us to continue supporting that growth well beyond the summer.”
Students consistently described the opportunity to meet peers from other schools, step outside their comfort zones and build confidence as some of the most meaningful parts of the experience.
“The most important thing I learned was to leave your comfort zone because that is where you can grow,” said Yaleiska Diaz, a student at Campbell Memorial High School. “The program made me more self-confident and showed me that new experiences lead to amazing opportunities.”
Alison Price of Kinsman, a student at Badger High School, said the program helped her better understand the connection between leadership and personal values.
“Staying true to your values and beliefs is one of the strongest components of a good leader,” Price said.
“Taking risks and failing forward were truly meaningful themes that I gathered from the Tressel Institute,” said Braylan Bankston, a student at Ursuline High School. “My time at the institute reminded me that true leadership is found within firm values, taking risks and genuine empathy.”
The institute also helped students translate what they learned into practical plans for the school year. Participants identified communication, SMART goals, confidence, teamwork and learning from setbacks as skills they intend to use in their classrooms, activities and communities.
“Watching students from 16 different school districts come together, challenge themselves and build genuine connections was one of the most rewarding parts of the program,” said Jenna Binsley-Smith, program manager for the Tressel Institute. “We look forward to building on that momentum throughout the school year by creating more opportunities for them to grow, serve and lead in their schools and communities.”
As the 2026 Summer Leadership Institute cohort returns to their high schools this fall, the Tressel Institute will continue engaging students through year-round programming. Additional leadership workshops, service opportunities, campus events and cohort meetups will allow students to reconnect, practice what they learned and continue growing alongside peers from across the region.
Planning is also underway for the 2027 Summer Leadership Institute, which will take place July 15-17. The Tressel Institute will begin reaching out to high school counselors in January 2027 with nomination information. Students and families interested in participating are encouraged to speak with their school counselor and follow YSU and the Tressel Institute for future updates.
About the Tressel Institute for Leadership and Teamwork
The Tressel Institute for Leadership and Teamwork at Youngstown State University provides leadership and personal development experiences for high school and college students. Through interactive programming centered on selflessness, gratitude, excellence, love and hope, the institute helps students better understand themselves, work effectively with others, set meaningful goals and make a positive impact in their schools, workplaces and communities.