By Becky Rose
Marketing & Communications Director, Youngstown State University
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Youngstown State University achieved significant, positive transformation in 2024, with student success and community engagement at the forefront of its achievements.
YSU strengthened its position as the anchor university in northeastern Ohio, continuing to foster an environment that prioritizes academic excellence and deep connections with the community.
While many universities faced enrollment challenges, YSU experienced a notable surge in undergraduate and graduate students. This growth reflected the university’s strong academic offerings, its student-first approach, and its ongoing commitment to high-quality education through investments in new programs and resources.
YSU’s commitment to the region was particularly evident in its response to the closing of Eastern Gateway Community College.
Throughout much of 2024, the university worked diligently to ensure all EGCC students had a seamless path to a robust continuum of education choices. Faculty, staff and administration collaborated closely to ensure that no student was left behind during this pivotal time.
As part of this effort, YSU expanded its academic offerings to support EGCC students and to further its mission of providing educational opportunities across the Mahoning Valley and Upper Ohio Valley.
New associate degrees and certificates were introduced, with 60-plus additional programs to meet the unique needs of EGCC transfer students. YSU also explored ways to increase access to its resources, including establishing a physical presence in Steubenville to better serve students in the Upper Ohio Valley. And YSU extended its College Credit Plus program to local school districts previously served by EGCC, expanding educational pathways for high school students in the region.
One of the most anticipated developments of the year was the Kilcawley Center renovation project. Serving as home away from home for tens of thousands of students since 1960, Kilcawley Center has been a vibrant hub where friendships blossomed, and many traditions were born – but the center’s physical limitations became evident.
Major renovation construction begins in May, at the conclusion of the spring semester. To mark this milestone, YSU launched the “Kilcawley: Centered on the Future” campaign to raise funds for the project. To date, the campaign has raised over $20 million.
YSU’s cultural engagement and dedication to regional vibrancy were also on display this past year, as the university announced the return of the Summer Festival of the Arts to its campus for this summer. The event celebrates the region’s creative spirit and underscores the university’s commitment to fostering a vibrant, artistic environment for both students and the surrounding region.
As it continues to grow, YSU remains unwavering in its mission to provide accessible, high-quality education. With strategic initiatives to support transferring EGCC students, transformative investments in campus facilities and deepened community engagement, YSU is paving the way for a bright future in higher education.