Poland High School Senior Earns Degree at YSU

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Bianca Patrone started taking courses at Youngstown State University when she was in eighth grade, and four years later she’s graduating with her high school diploma and a bachelor’s degree from YSU.

Patrone, who will earn her degree in business administration, will be the first College Credit Plus student to graduate from YSU with a bachelor’s degree before completing high school. She will graduate Sunday from YSU and May 25 from Poland Seminary High School.

She learned about YSU’s College Credit Plus program while listening to an assembly at her high school. 

“I just stood right in the doorway and I listened because it was for the seniors,” she said. “I realized when I did research on it that you could actually start in seventh grade, so I decided to start that summer before my eighth grade year started.”

She was encouraged by her mother, and Patrick Carbon, CCP academic adviser for Eastern Gateway Community College, helped her to earn the necessary high school credits.

Patrone was intimidated at first, but she kept going with the encouragement of her mentors.

“YSU is an amazing school,” she said. “There are so many helpful people here, especially the professors.” 

On campus, Patrone worked with Sarah Eisenaugle Bika, coordinator and biological sciences instructor, and Christina O’Connell, director for Center of Career Management out of the Williamson College of Business Administration, to schedule courses and help her through the internship application process. 

During her time as a student, Patrone completed two internships, the first as a marketing coordinator for her father’s landscaping business. 

“At the time of my first internship, I was only 16, so a lot of employers were hesitant to hire me,” she said. “I decided to intern for my dad. It was more lenient, and he had never had a marketing coordinator before.” 

The second internship, also as a marketing coordinator, was for local news station WKBN. 

“Working for WKBN was really nice, a whole different type of environment than I was used to,” Patrone said. “They had told me I was the first intern they have had in over 50 years. They really welcomed me with open arms.”

After graduation, Patrone plans to pursue a master’s degree at Hult International Business School, attending courses at its London campus and opening an international real estate company. Her target market is the U.S. and down the European coastline. 

“I want to be the best contact person for my family who lives in Italy when it comes to real estate,” she said.

She also credited her family as a key motivator through her academic journey. 

“My mom earned her PhD at YSU. She was my true inspiration and continued to encourage me when I wanted to give up.” Patrone added that her brother is currently enrolled at YSU and is also on track to earn a bachelor’s degree through YSU’s CCP program before graduating high school. 

Though not a traditional high school experience, Patrone felt she made the right choice taking high school courses as well as college courses simultaneously. “I had so many opportunities through this program. I gained some much needed experience in networking, and it really molded me into the person I am today,” she said.  

“I really wanted to build a story and create something memorable for other people like me, who just want a different approach to education.”

Patrone will be graduating as a part of the Williamson College of Business Administration during its commencement ceremony at 1 p.m. Sunday at Beeghly Center.

CREDIT: YSU.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.