By Betty Jo Licata
Interim Dean, Williamson College of Business Administration
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Enrollment in the Williamson College of Business at Youngstown State University increased by 13% in 2024, bringing the total student body to 2,200.
We introduced new business analytics and data visualization courses, revised academic programs and enhanced student job placement rates in 2024. Additionally, more students earned professional certifications, reflecting our commitment to career readiness.
One of our most impactful initiatives is our paid, credit-bearing internship program, which provides work experience that enhances education and improves the student’s prospects for employment. In 2024, over 220 students completed internships.
We also support specialized internships through targeted funding from the Ohio Export Internship Program, the Ohio Procurement Internship Program, and the Raymond John Wean Nonprofit Leadership Summer Honors Internship Program. These initiatives provide valuable expertise to regional organizations and foster talent development in crucial sectors.
Beyond internships, our students demonstrated their commitment to career readiness by earning over 400 certifications in areas such as Six Sigma Lean Green Belt, Google Ads, Hootsuite, Hubspot, Microsoft Excel and SHRM Certified Professional.
This year, we increased college-based scholarships by 22%, awarding over $420,000 to 260 students, and expanded our academic advising and career management teams.
The WCBA remains deeply engaged with the community, as demonstrated by our involvement in initiatives like the Voluntary Income Tax Assistance program, WCBA Dare to Care Day, WCBA United We Care Day and our Pay It Forward Student Philanthropy Initiative.
Additionally, our Small Business Development Center/Export Assistance Network and APEX Accelerator provided valuable services to regional businesses, helping to create jobs and secure capital. The center served 154 clients in 2024, resulting in $6.69 million in capital formation and $23.4 million in sales growth.
This school year, we celebrated our students’ performance at regional and national competitions such as the Ohio Communication Association, the Midwest Decision Sciences Institute, and the Student Managed Investment Fund Conference.
We also recognized our new endowed chair and professors: Tomi Ovaska was named the Thomas Endowed Chair in Economics, and Patrick Bateman and Ian Zhang were appointed Lariccia Family Endowed Professors of Business.
Our 2024 Outstanding Alumni Award winners were Ryan Day (Hynes Industries), Nicole DeCenso (PNC Bank), Heather Chunn (YSU Foundation) and Bill Vennetti (Packer Thomas). Additionally, Mousa Kassis, director of our Export Assistance Network, received the Ohio SBDC Peer Recognition Collaboration Award and our Export Assistance Network earned the 2024 Ohio SBDC Best Export Assistance Network Award.
The WCBA has 49 full-time faculty members and 21 full-time staff members.
In addition to the MBA and MS in applied economics programs, undergraduate business majors are offered in accounting, business administration, business analytics and economics, finance, human resource management, management, supply chain management, international business and marketing.