YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The start of two new programs at Youngstown State University will help address gaps in the workforce, President Bill Johnson said.
The university recently secured state approval for commercial driver’s license and aviation programs with the Western Reserve Port Authority.
“The aviation industry and the trucking industry are two of the most hard hit industries in the workforce,” Johnson said Tuesday before a YSU trustees meeting. “A problem that we see across the nation is a labor participation rate that’s hovering around 60% and an aging, retiring workforce. To move commerce, to move business, we’ve got to have aviation. We’ve got to have transportation and the flow of commerce. And so we’re very excited about both of those programs.”
An open house and ribbon cutting for both programs is set for 3 to 6 p.m. Friday at the airport.
Both programs had been offered by the now-defunct Eastern Gateway Community College, which closed last year.
“Those were two of the programs that jumped out at us the most, that they were going to go away when Eastern Gateway went away, and we made a commitment not to let that happen,” Johnson said.
The CDL program will be noncredit and align with YSU’s workforce development goals under its STEM Workforce Education and Innovation, according to information from the university. WRPA is leasing parking, classroom and office space to YSU at the airport to house the program there.
The associate degree in applied science in aviation at YSU also involves a partnership with Youngstown Warren Development Partners, which will provide all in-air flight instruction. YWDP will provide the training at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport using its aircraft, simulators, facilities and certified instructors.
At Tuesday’s trustees meeting, the board also approved the 2026 operating budget, with Chuck George, trustees chairman, pointing out that uncertainty remains because the state budget hasn’t been approved. While a tuition increase for next year is expected, YSU’s ability to raise tuition is dependent on the state budget, as is an expected increase in its State Share of Instruction.
Trustees also presented outgoing Trustee Michael Peterson, who served as chairman for two terms, with an honorary degree.
Barbara Orton and Charles Singler, both retired long-serving YSU employees, were presented with the university’s Heritage Award.
The award is given to former faculty and staff members who have made major contributions during their years of service and is one of the most prestigious distinctions awarded by the university.
Orton, who didn’t attend the meeting, is the former director of affirmative action, assistant to the president for affirmative action and director of Equal Opportunity and Diversity.
Singler, who worked at YSU for 45 years, is a former professor and chairman of the Department of Physics, Astronomy, Geology, and Environmental Science, assistant/associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and interim associate provost.
He thanked his family as well as many of those at the university and highlighted the success of some of his former students, including one who formerly served as the chief geologist at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
In accepting his honorary degree, Peterson thanked his fellow trustees and credited their work.
“It’s been an honor being on this board and being a chair, and really an honor to be on this board at a special time in bringing President Johnson in and to see what he and the administration faculty have been able to do,” Peterson said. “And I just really appreciate being able to be here.”
The board approved the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act Statement of Commitment.
The law, also known as Ohio Senate Bill 1, prohibits job training or orientation regarding diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as the establishment of new institutional scholarships that use DEI requirements. It also requires institutions to ensure intellectual diversity, prohibits faculty strikes and impacts faculty tenure protections among its provisions. It becomes law Friday and requires state colleges and universities to create a statement of commitment.
Pictured at top: From left are YSU trustees Michael Peterson, Allen Ryan, Richard Fryda, Laura Lyden, YSU President Bill Johnson, Chairman Chuck George, Vice Chairman Joseph Kerola, Secretary Anita Hackstedde, Sergul Erzurum and Sterling Williams.