Youngstown State’s ‘Road to Carnegie’ showcases community service initiatives
.jpg "(left to right) Avinab De, YSU honors student; Amy Cossentino, associate provost for Strategy and Engagement and dean of Sokolov Honors College; Julie Centofanti, YSU honors student; State Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel, Representing Ohio’s 79th House District; Ralph Rivera, chief of Criminal Division, Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office; Amy Weaver, associate professor at YSU; and Roxann Sebest, vice-president, United Way of Youngstown and Mahoning County")
Youngstown State University students in the Sokolov Honors College are assigned community service requirements to receive that honors certification.
They often find volunteer opportunities with the Office of Community Engagement, according to Amy Cossentino, associate provost of Strategy and Engagement and dean of the Sokolov Honors College at YSU.
Students coordinate to volunteer with the local schools, the United Way of Youngstown and Mahoning Valley, Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley, Oh Wow! Children’s Museum and many more businesses and nonprofits.
The Office of Community Engagement is like the “front door” for local community partners looking to work with YSU, according to Cossentino.
The Office of Community Engagement and the Honors College have developed community service initiatives and a close working partnership.
They’ve set up an exhibit called the “Road to Carnegie” community engagement exhibit. It’s a showcase of students’ service initiatives, as well as the Carnegie Foundation Elective Classification for Community Engagement in 2026.
“The exhibit brings to life the partnerships that have met community needs and provided students with opportunities to deepen their learning,” said Cossentino.
What does ‘Road to Carnegie’ mean?
YSU’s two departments, the Honors College and the Office of Community Engagement, are teaming up to apply for the Carnegie Foundation Elective Classification for Community Engagement in 2026.
The exhibit showcases the work on campus and in the community that they’ll highlight in their application, and perspectives of community businesses who’ve benefited from the partnership.
The “Road to Carnegie” exhibit was officially set up yesterday at Maag Library on campus, complete with videos and display cases of photos and artifacts of student projects in the Mahoning Valley.
The event featured several speakers from the university, like Amy Weaver, associate professor of nursing and students Julie Centofanti and Avinab De.
Roxann Sebest, vice president of United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, also spoke at the kick-off event.
The exhibit was designed by YSU layout design artist Rachell Joy-Tupaj.
