Proud - Youngstown State University

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Early College Students Get Jump-Start on YSU Credits TaQuaesa Toney was an eighthgrader at Volney Rogers Middle School on Youngstown’s South Side when she first heard about Youngstown Early College. “It sounded too good to be true,” Toney said. Go to high school in a building on the YSU campus. Take a combination of high school and college classes. And, four years later, graduate with not only a high school diploma, but also an associate degree. “It was a great opportunity,” said Toney, whose goal is to attend medical school and become a doctor. “I couldn’t pass it up.” In the spring, Toney was among 40 students in the first graduating class of Youngstown Early College. In addition to receiving their high school diplomas, all graduates earned at least some college credits from YSU, with 13 students earning 25 college credits or more. Toney and three other students garnered enough college credits to earn associate degrees and participate in YSU’s commencement in Beeghly Center in May. YSU President David C. Sweet said the graduation was a historic moment for the Youngstown City School District and YSU. “The success of these students is a reflection of their hard work and perseverance and the dedication of dozens of educators who have committed themselves to making the early college concept work in this community,” he said. YEC, opened in August 2004 as a partnership between the city schools and the university, is a public high school located in YSU’s Fedor Hall that is designed to provide a transition to college for city school students who might not otherwise seek a post-secondary education. Supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the KnowledgeWorks Foundation, it was the first school of its kind at a public university in Ohio. Of the 40 students in the first class, nearly three-fourths are expected to enroll at YSU this fall. “Youngstown Early College represents what a united effort between a secondary school system and an institution of higher education can do to accelerate the educational achievement of students,” said Wendy Webb, superintendent of the Youngstown city schools. “The accomplishments of these first graduates are clear Four members of the first class of Youngstown Early College who also earned associate degrees from YSU are, from left, Misti Mraz, TaQuaesa Toney, Kristi Mraz and Cherise Benton. evidence that Early College High Schools can help young people from all backgrounds succeed in higher education,” said Chad Wick, president and CEO of KnowledgeWorks Foundation, an education philanthropy that supports a network of Early College High Schools across Ohio. In the 2007-08 academic year, YEC enrolled 240 students. That number is expected to jump to about 280 next academic year. John Wilson, formerly a principal in the Warren City Schools, was hired this past year as dean of YEC. And Alison Harmon, former professor of teacher education and educational leadership at Eastern Michigan University, was hired as associate dean in YSU’s Beeghly College of Education, in part, to help oversee and improve the school. The two have worked closely to help improve communication and collaboration between the school district and the university and to improve the transition from high school courses to college courses. “The Early College High School concept is new, and we have had much success,” Wilson said. “We want to be even more successful.” 34 Youngstown State University
Cindy Martin Head Coach, YSU Women’s Basketball Expect to see Coach Cindy Martin and her staff spending off-season weekends out in the community, tackling service projects arm-in-arm with members of the YSU women’s basketball team. Martin, appointed head women’s basketball coach in April, will be hosting weekly team study halls for the Penguins as well. It’s all part of what she calls Coach Martin’s Three C’s: Community, Classroom and Court. She and her assistant coaches plan to hold the studentathletes accountable in all three categories. “We want our ladies to develop in every aspect while they’re here at YSU, both on and off the basketball court,” said the Florida native. Martin initiated the “Three C” strategy at her previous assignment as head coach at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where the team completed 28 service projects in three years and achieved a three-season 70-23 win/loss record under her leadership. This spring, she was named the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s 2007-08 Division II East Region Coach of the Year after IUP won two back-to-back conference championships and made two consecutive appearances at the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament. The coach believes that working side-by-side on service projects builds unity among the teammates, helps the community and increases support for the university. “Working together out in the community is going to be a great experience. It’s important to teach our ladies to have a sense of pride about the area that we live in,” said Martin A 1999 graduate of the University of Florida, Martin holds a baccalaureate in exercise and sports sciences. Her coaching experience prior to IUP includes four years as top assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at West Virginia University and one season each at Santa Fe Community College and Seminole Community College, both in Florida. Martin’s coaching staff comprises: Bernard Scott, top assistant and recruiting coordinator, formerly assistant coach for the University of Arizona; and assistant coaches Jen Duhnke, former top assistant at IUP, and Shannon Sword, former graduate assistant at Ashland University. Summer 2008 35
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