Youngstown State University’s Project PASS (Penguin Assistants for Student Success) is a unique and impactful tutoring initiative celebrating its 10th anniversary. Launched in 2015 by former YSU President Jim Tressel in collaboration with Dean Charles Howell, Director Dr. Kristen Italiano, YSU faculty, and Youngstown City School District (YCSD) leadership, Project PASS is a collaborative partnership between YSU and YCSD. The program has provided over 130,000 hours of individualized and targeted literacy support to elementary and middle school students within YCSD. The initiative pairs YSU teacher candidates with students to deliver hands-on tutoring aligned with evidence-based practices from The Science of Reading. The program also provides teacher candidates with over 25 hours of on-site fieldwork per semester, a crucial part of their coursework. The program’s success has created a powerful “YSU to YCSD” pipeline with many alumni of the program becoming full-time educators in the district.
Dr. Kristen Italiano ’01, ’16, ’24
Project PASS has become a cornerstone of the YSU-YCSD partnership, benefiting both institutions. Dr. Kristen Italiano, the program’s director and YSU alumna, describes the partnership as a “mutually beneficial collaboration.” She highlights the “full-circle effect” as one of the most rewarding outcomes. “Many of our YSU alumni who participated in Project PASS have chosen to begin their teaching careers within YCSD—a testament to the powerful experiences and connections formed during their tutoring fieldwork,” Dr. Italiano says. The legacy of Project PASS is best seen through the career success of its alumni. Four notable graduates exemplify the program’s impact, having transitioned from YSU student tutors to educational leaders within YCSD.
Lindsey Dugan ’17, ’20
Lindsey Dugan, a two-time graduate from YSU with her bachelor’s in early childhood education in 2017 and a master’s in school counseling in 2020, currently serves as the Dean of Students at Volney Elementary School. She credits Project PASS with introducing her to the Youngstown City School District, where she has built a nine-year career as a teacher, school counselor, and now an administrator.
Dugan emphasizes how the program prepared her to be a “multifaceted educator,” equipping her with essential skills and a deep understanding of early literacy. Her connection to Project PASS has come full circle, as she now hosts and mentors student teachers and counseling interns in her professional role.
“I have been so impressed with the caliber of educators that YSU produces, and our students are always so excited to meet with their tutors!” she says.
Alexander (Alex) Furlong ’20
Alexander (Alex) Furlong, a YSU alumnus with a bachelor’s and a 2020 master’s in early childhood intervention, is now a Technology Integration Specialist for the Youngstown City School District. He attributes his career success to the strong foundation he received at YSU, particularly the “hands-on experience” he gained through Project PASS.
Furlong highlights how the program helped him learn to build “meaningful interventions” for students. Reflecting on his journey, he finds a “sense of continuity and purpose” in working within the same community where he learned his skills, seeing the direct impact of his YSU preparation on the students and families he now serves.
Morgan Ryan ’20, ’23
Morgan Ryan is currently a first-grade teacher at Martin Luther King Elementary School. She is a two-time YSU graduate, earning her B.S.E. in early childhood education in 2020, and later her masters in curriculum instruction in 2023. Morgan shares that her participation in Project PASS gave her not only her first experience in teaching students, but also molded her into the educator she is today. “YSU has prepared me in many ways for my career as a teacher. The field experience place[s] us into schools to work with students immediately. This not only allowed me to grow as a teacher candidate during my four years of college, but it also allowed me to experience what it was like working and planning lessons before student teaching. Project PASS places us in inner city schools, specifically Youngstown, which is what led me to working in Youngstown City.”
Her fond memories of YSU help her stay involved with her alma mater, stating “My undergrad years I will never forget. I had such a great experience with professors and met so many lifelong friends.”
Jorge Vega Santos ’20, ’24
Jorge Vega Santos, a two-time YSU graduate, earned his bachelor’s in early childhood education in 2020 and a master’s in educational administration in 2024. He’s now a second-grade teacher in the Youngstown City School District. According to Santos, his participation in Project PASS was “one of the most impactful opportunities” he had at YSU. “YSU gave me a strong foundation by combining coursework with real-world experience.”
The program allowed him to observe various teaching styles and student needs across different schools, helping him to “discover my passion for education.”
He now gives back to the program that shaped his career by serving as a mentor teacher for Project PASS.”I remain engaged with YSU by continuing to support Project PASS, where I have the opportunity to work with future teacher candidates and contribute to the same program that helped shape my own career,” Santos notes.
The success of Project PASS is a testament to the dedication of YSU and YCSD faculty and staff, as well as the YCSD teachers who welcome and assist the teacher candidates. Their collective effort has created a legacy of educational excellence, shaping the next generation of educators and empowering local students for a decade and counting.
The success of Project PASS is a testament to the dedication of YSU and YCSD faculty and staff, as well as the YCSD teachers who welcome and assist the teacher candidates. Their collective effort has created a legacy of educational excellence, shaping the next generation of educators and empowering local students for a decade and counting.
May is national nurses month and the Office of Alumni Engagement would like to recognize Darlene Morocco, MHA, BSN, RN, NE-BC, FACHE, for her achievements in the field.
Darlene Morocco serves as the Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer of Cleveland Clinic Lutheran Hospital. She has been a nurse and healthcare leader for 25 years. Darlene is an Ohio native, born and raised in Youngstown. She received her Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) from Youngstown State University in 2000 and her master’s in healthcare administration (MHA) from Walden University.
Darlene is a board-certified nurse executive (NE-BC) and a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). Prior to her role at the Cleveland Clinic, Darlene served at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Trinity Health/ St. Mary’s Health Care System in Athens, Georgia. Darlene has a passion for nursing, healthcare leadership and the patient experience. She is committed to quality, patient safety and creating a healthy work environment. Darlene is committed to building high reliable teams, program development and clinical nursing practice. At Lutheran Hospital she is proud to lead one of the best-in-class behavioral health and orthopedic specialties across the region.
Darlene’s greatest treasures are her family. She is married to her husband Rick. Together, they enjoy their 3 adult children and their spouses, but most of all their 7 grandchildren!
The Jazz Alumni Association is proud to feature notable alumni through their “Spotlight On…” series. Learn more about these outstanding alumni on Facebook @ysujazzalumni. Here, Greg Parnell ’95 gives insight into his career. Parnell is currently the President of Glenn Miller Productions, Inc. and is the founder and musical director of the Orlando Jazz Orchestra, which enjoys great success around Florida and the Caribbean.
Meet Melissa Kmetz! She is a 2003 and 2007 YSU graduate and 3rd grade teacher at Lakeview Elementary School. She is Ohio’s 2023 Teacher of the Year! Get to know Melissa and her passion for YSU and how it helped her grow into the educator she is today!
Meet Zac Divencenzo and Dan Fernback, both 2014 YSU graduates, and owners of Juggerbot 3D in Youngstown, Ohio. Hear from Zac and Dan as they discuss the impact of a YSU education on their career in additive manufacturing.
Meet Desiree Lyon! She is a 2005 YSU graduate and current Director of Recruiting at Carr, Riggs & Ingram. Hear from Desiree as she reflects on the positive impacts a YSU education had on her career.