James P. Tressel Institute for Leadership and Teamwork

"We rise by lifting others." – Shawn Mendes 💡 Leadership is about more than just personal success—it’s about lifting up those around you and growing together. At the Tressel Institute for Leadership & Teamwork, we help students develop the skills to lead with purpose, teamwork, and service.

Who has helped shape your leadership journey? Tag them in the comments and let them know how much they mean to you! ❤️🐧

We had an amazing time at Penguin Preview Day, welcoming future Penguins and their families to the YSU community! At the Tressel Institute for Leadership & Teamwork, we were excited to showcase leadership opportunities for our current students and share details about our upcoming Summer Leadership Institute (July 17-19).

We’re looking for rising juniors and seniors to participate in this transformative leadership experience! If you or your student is interested, please email [email protected] for more information. We can’t wait to see these students grow and lead at YSU! ❤️🖤

At the Tressel Institute for Leadership and Teamwork, we believe in shaping the next generation of leaders—both on campus and in our community. Last week, our Penguin leaders had the incredible opportunity to participate in Focus Friday at South Range Local Schools, leading interactive team-building activities focused on goal-setting, adaptability, and collaboration. Through hands-on learning, students experienced the power of teamwork in achieving success.

A special thank you to our dedicated students and staff members from the Sokolov Honors College at Youngstown State and the YSU Office of Community Engagement for their commitment to mentoring and leadership. Their dedication to service continues to make a lasting impact on future leaders. 🐧👏

If you're looking for a university that values leadership, community, and hands-on learning, YSU is the place to be!

We’re excited to be back in the classroom with our freshman athletes this semester as they work on their My Personal Journey and My Commitment to All badges through the Tressel Institute for Leadership & Teamwork! 🏅💡

Inspired by Coach Jim Tressel’s legacy, we’re helping students develop the values, discipline, and leadership mindset that make great teams—and even greater leaders. Just like in coaching, leadership is about commitment, growth, and making those around you better. The journey starts here!

Last week our team had the opportunity to visit our friends at in Debartolo Hall! They have some amazing resources that are free to YSU students. We got to see their nap pods, salt rock room and so much more. Stop by and take some time to build your healthy habits.

As the spring semester begins, we’d like to extend our warmest wishes to all Penguins and their families. We hope the new year brings growth, achievement, and success to every student and the entire YSU community.

Despite the cold and snowy start, we know our Penguins are ready to take on challenges and continue working toward their goals—whether in the classroom, on the field, or through leadership and service. Your support makes a world of difference, and together, we’re building a bright future for our students and our community.

Here’s to a fantastic semester ahead—go Penguins!

We had an amazing time partnering with South Range High School for their second Focus Friday! Volunteering at local organizations allowed us to make a real difference in our community. 💛 It’s truly rewarding to live out our My Commitment to All badge by giving back and working together to create positive change!

Happy Holidays from the Tressel Institute! This season, may your holidays be filled with selflessness, moments of gratitude, the pursuit of excellence, acts of love, and sense of hope for the year of ahead. Here’s to a new year full of growth and teamwork!

Teamwork really does make the dreamwork! At the very least, it means having a partner on your journey to success! We had a great time with our friends at South Range High School and can’t wait for Focus Friday #2 - Servant Leadership, making the community a better place!

Let’s remind our students that teamwork is a superpower! 🤝 Encourage them to connect with classmates, expand their knowledge, and tackle study sessions together. When we lift each other up, everyone wins! 💪

As exams approach, remind your students to:
✅ Prepare together: Study with friends to deepen understanding.
✅ Stay positive: Show themselves kindness when things get tough.
✅ Bring their A-game: Go into exams with confidence!

Together, we can help them finish strong. They’ve got this—and we’re cheering them on every step of the way! 🎓✨

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the Tressel Institute for Leadership and Teamwork! 🦃💛

Today, we’re reflecting on the incredible students and leaders who make our journey so meaningful—we’re grateful for each and every one of you. Wishing you a cozy, love-filled holiday! 🥧✨

What are you thankful for this year? Share your gratitude in the comments! 🙏

Our team had a wonderful experience at the Navarro Executive Fellows Program, supporting students as they refined their resumes and developed valuable networking skills. It was inspiring to see these young leaders embrace new opportunities and grow in confidence. We’re proud to support YSU students in achieving success both in the classroom and beyond!

Leadership doesn’t have to wait for tomorrow—it starts today! We had the privilege of working with an incredible group of students from the YESS Institute over the summer, helping them grow as leaders and shape their unique leadership styles. It was inspiring to see their passion and hear all the fresh ideas our newest Penguins brought to the table. The future is bright with leaders like them! 🐧✨

We had an absolute blast at the Red & White Day Carnival with ! It was so much fun connecting and celebrating with our fellow penguins! Can’t wait for next year’s festivities!

Throwback to our session at the Student Leadership Summit! During this incredible event, we connected with student leaders to discuss goal-setting strategies to enhance their student organizations. It was a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with our friends from the and

There are countless ways to get involved on campus, and one of the most impactful is by becoming a Peer Coach in our program. Serving as a Peer Coach not only enhances your communication skills and ability to work with others, but it also offers valuable professional development. As our Peer Coaches embark on their journey this year, we wish them the best of luck in mentoring and guiding our students—your role is essential in shaping a supportive and thriving campus community.