YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Youngstown State University’s enrollment is up for the second consecutive year, according to the fall semester 14-day enrollment report.

“It’s interesting that many categories increased by double-digit numbers,” Charles George, trustees chairman, said at a YSU trustees meeting Wednesday morning. “The enrollment increases give YSU an all-time high number of degrees awarded. So we’re both having a lot of input and a lot of output, which is one of our goals, to continue the high graduation rate that we’re striving for.”

Fall enrollment is up about 2% compared with fall 2024, with first-time undergraduate enrollment up 2.5%, first-time graduate enrollment up by 6.9%, doctoral level enrollment 28% higher and a 1.3% increase in continuing students.

In a news release, YSU President Bill Johnson emphasized the significance of building on last year’s increase. 

“Last fall’s surge was fueled by unique factors – Eastern Gateway [Community College] transfers, international growth and a spike in [College Credit Plus] students,” he said. “The idea that we could stack another year of growth on top of that? Highly unlikely. But here we are. YSU has defied the odds.”

The president also noted the university’s record-setting degree completion. For summer and fall 2024 and spring 2025 combined, YSU awarded more degrees than in any year in the past decade – 1,030 more than in 2018-19.

“That is success in its truest form,” Johnson said in the news release. “More students choosing us, more students finishing strong – it’s further evidence that our students, families and communities recognize the unique value of Youngstown State University.”

George also pointed to the importance of a discussion at the trustees’ Tuesday committee meetings regarding free speech.

At the beginning of Wednesday’s regular meeting, Trustee Joseph Kerola asked for a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist who was assassinated last week while speaking at Utah Valley University, and “and all the other victims of the senseless violence going on in our country.” 

George said he looks back on his days as a YSU student when his eyes were opened to different opinions. 

“I think, at times, that’s been squelched,” he said. “We need to move beyond that, and this university strongly supports that.”

He thanked the university administration and board leadership “for putting Youngstown State University in the forefront of free speech, not only in Ohio but in the nation.”

Johnson said after the meeting that the board’s Tuesday discussion affirmed that YSU is a university that supports free speech and that free speech is foundational to the country. 

“It’s enshrined in our founding documents, and we are going to remain a free speech university here at Youngstown State,” he said.

Also at Wednesday’s meeting Trustee Anita Hackstedde, board secretary, administered the oath of office to Michael A. Peterson and Nadia C. Zarbaugh, trustee and student trustee, respectively. Peterson’s previous term expired in June, and Gov. Mike DeWine appointed him to a second nine-year term.

Trustees heard presentations from students and faculty at the meeting too.

Amy Fluker, associate professor in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, talked about her work in the history department. She’s authored books and is also leading the university’s U.S. semiquincentennial celebration.

Student Ely Vuksanovich, president of YSU’s American Foundry Society, told trustees about the society’s first-place win earlier this year at the 2025 Steel Founders’ Society of America’s Cast in Steel Competition in Atlanta.

Cadet Mitchell J. Newhard explained his involvement in YSU ROTC and his plans for life in the military after he graduates. And Riley Jarrett, head women’s volleyball coach, and student-athlete Abbie Householder reviewed their sport and the upcoming season.

Pictured at top: Trustee Michael A. Peterson takes the oath of office, administered by Trustee Anita Hackstedde, board secretary.