YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Youngstown State University recently welcomed students, faculty and community partners for its annual Community Engagement Symposium, showcasing community-engaged learning and scholarship across campus and beyond.

This year’s symposium featured 32 student posters, including 25 projects from Honors Campus Community Partnerships seminars. Posters, oral presentations and interactive sessions highlighted collaborative work addressing real-world needs through partnerships with community organizations.

“Community engagement represents a powerful form of experiential learning, connecting classroom knowledge with real-world application,” said Amy Cossentino, associate provost and dean. “Through these partnerships, students gain critical skills and develop relationships in the community, while organizations benefit from meaningful collaboration.”

A presenter lunch session evolved into a “living learning lab.” The session fostered reflection and dialogue through storytelling and a collaborative Partnership Story Wall. Participants shared insights on relationship-building, community needs and future directions for engagement. 

The symposium also celebrated contributions to community engagement through awards and recognitions.

Senior nursing major and honors student Anna Morgione was recognized by the Community Campus Coalition with the Charles J. Ping Student Service Award. This statewide honor recognizes undergraduate students for exemplary leadership and commitment to community service and service-learning. Morgione has served as the Sokolov Honors College Community Fellow to the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley for the past three years.

Howland High School Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America received the Rising Star Award for emerging leadership in community engagement. 

Presenters included Shannon Stevens, Sophia McGarrity, Allison Graham, Gia Tempesta, Jillian Butler and Charity Plant.

The Outstanding Student Posters classification was granted to “From Struggle to Success: Executive Function and Academic Coaching,” by Emily Wolf, Grace Klein and Dana Elmquist and Isabella Williams’ “Shoot for a Change.”

The Outstanding Posters from Campus Community Partnerships Honors Seminar classification was granted to the following projects:

  • Volunteering at Animal Charity of Ohio – Kendalyn Umbel, Gianna Taaffe, Lucy Houk, Landen Rain and Jeffrey Kollar.
  • Manna House International Ministry: Social Media, Accounting and Website Development – Sushant Donadi, Michael Ge and Saminder Tuli.
  • Home Instead Partnership Project – Anabela Merola, Nia Burney, Mya Colella, Emalie Esmail and Scout Nicholson.
  • Dorothy Day House Engagement Project (Dorothy Day House of Hospitality) – Max Scott, Jimmy Riddle, Tori Atkins and Logan Schmutz.