YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Leadership isn’t learned only in the classroom. Youngstown State University is building a program that teaches students how to lead, collaborate and succeed long before they enter the workforce.
On this week’s episode of the “It’s All About the Team” podcast, host Jim Tressel talks with Amy Cosentino, associate provost and dean of the Sokolov Honors College at YSU, about the creation and growth of the university’s Institute for Leadership and Teamwork.
Cosentino explains how the institute began by integrating leadership and teamwork into the Honors College curriculum before expanding into experiential learning opportunities that give students hands-on experience solving problems, working in teams and learning from servant leaders. She says the program continues to evolve by listening to student feedback and adapting its approach to maximize engagement.
The institute also introduces students to practical life skills, including financial literacy, healthy habits and personal development by connecting them with local professionals and community leaders. Cosentino says the goal is to prepare students to become stronger teammates and more effective leaders both on campus and throughout their careers.
Watch the full conversation when this episode of “It’s All About the Team” premieres Wednesday.