YOUNGSTOWN — Who is the only person to have received a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and doctorate degree from Youngstown State University, while also being a national champion student-athlete?

The answer is Dr. Michael Latessa. A month ago, Latessa received his Doctor of Education degree, giving him this unique distinction.

Latessa, 45, executive director of the Rich Center for Autism, located on YSU’s campus, was raised on Youngstown’s North Side. He graduated in 199from Cardinal Mooney 7, where he played football for some of Head Coach Don Bucci’s finest teams, including the 12-1 state semi-finalist squad in 1996.

He went on to study accounting at YSU and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2002. During this time, he played football as an offensive lineman for the Penguins’ national championship team in 1997, when they squeaked past McNeese State University, 10-9.

“I was fortunate to play on some really good football teams,” Latessa said. “As a lineman, there is not much individual recognition or glory, so being part of successful teams gave me the most satisfaction.”

After four years of putting his business degree to use by working in public accounting at Cohen and Company, Latessa spent six years in the accounting office of Forum Health / Valley Care. He also became an assistant football coach at his alma mater, Mooney, in 2009.

It was there that Latessa coached a Mooney player who was on the autism spectrum, an experience that he would never forget and one that would help shape his future.

“As a coach you don’t think about coaching a kid with autism, until you are in that situation,” Latessa said. “That was very enriching for me and it taught me quite a bit.”

Preferring to work with young people after his coaching experience at Mooney, Latessa began working at Mooney full-time in 2014 as director of Institutional Advancement and then vice president. He enrolled at YSU again and received a Master of Education degree in 2016.

After five years at Mooney, Latessa joined the Rich Center for Autism in 2019, first as associate director of development and then executive director, a position he still holds.

“The Mooney coaching experience paved the way for me to apply at the Rich Center,” Latessa said. “I talked about that experience in my interview. I’ve never looked back. The Rich Center helps young people live quality lives, and I am thankful to be a part of it.”

The Rich Center, now celebrating its 30th anniversary, is housed on YSU’s campus but is fully funded externally.

“YSU has been wonderful to us,” Latessa said. “Not only do they provide the space for us to serve and teach young people with autism, we can tap into the infrastructure they already have in place, plus human resources. Eight graduate assistants and 15 undergrads help with teaching and operations”

The Rich Center employs 30 full-time staff, which includes four administrators, a nurse and 25 teachers, therapists, aides and interventionists. The Center outsources for services in speech therapy and occupational therapy.

The Rich Center accommodates about 60 young people, ages 3 to 21. The center is in operation Monday through Friday coinciding with typical school days. The students bring their own lunch and any medications the staff needs to administer.

“We need to cap the enrollment at around 60 so we can maintain a 2-1 student-to-staff ratio,” Latessa said. “We really value individual attention, and the kids benefit the most from that model.”

With a budget of nearly $2 million annually, about 80% of the money comes from state funding. The remaining 20% is raised locally by the Friends of Rich Center through various fundraising activities and events.

When Latessa received his doctorate last month, becoming the first YSU Penguin to earn three degrees, while also being a national champion student-athlete, folks on campus started thinking about a way to salute his unique accomplishment.

The Rich Center game had already been scheduled for Jan. 15 in conjunction with the YSU women’s basketball game against Northern Kentucky. It was a natural fit.

Before the game, YSU basketball player Malia Magestro surprised Latessa by presenting him with one of the customized YSU Rich Center for Autism jerseys worn during the basketball game. The uniforms featured the widely recognized puzzle pieces that are symbolic of the autism community.

Magestro is also a student-athlete ambassador for The Rich Center, making the surprise even more special.

“That was a wonderful surprise,” Latessa said. “They caught me off guard. It was a moment I will always cherish.”

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