YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State University has adopted a resolution to expand educational pathways for students in and outside of the Mahoning Valley — especially those at Eastern Gateway Community College because of an enrollment pause to stop offering classes and academic programs beyond this semester.

During their regular quarterly meeting Thursday morning in Tod Hall, trustees unanimously voted to pass the resolution, which will allow YSU’s administration to collaborate with the Ohio Department of Higher Education and other bodies to finance the transition of EGCC programs to YSU.

As a first step toward establishing a YSU presence — very likely in Steubenville — the university has submitted necessary paperwork to the Higher Learning Commission. Various YSU curriculum committees and its Academic Senate are working on details, Becky Rose, the university’s marketing and communications director, noted.

Late last month, the Academic Senate voted unanimously to approve addendums to current policies for the desired transition system.

The HLC accredits degree-granting, post-secondary educational institutions such as YSU, and accredits the institution as a whole.

Thursday’s resolution is part of an effort between YSU and EGCC to create additional avenues for EGCC students affected by its Feb. 21 decision to temporarily halt registration beyond the spring 2024 semester to enroll at YSU. When YSU establishes a presence in Steubenville, the university plans to expand its educational offerings to that campus — everything from in-person and online two-year associate’s degrees to doctoral degrees, Rose said.

The plan revolves largely around “catering to the diverse needs of students throughout the region,” she added.

In addition, the resolution will allow YSU to engage with the superintendents of the region’s Educational Service Centers to ensure EGCC’s College Credit Plus program is accommodated.

In a meeting earlier this month at the Jefferson County ESC in Steubenville, YSU President Bill Johnson assured the county’s superintendents that YSU intends to “seamlessly transition the College Credit Plus programs from Eastern Gateway to YSU.”

The program provides opportunities for students in grades seven through 12 to take courses from Ohio’s colleges and universities in an effort to simultaneously earn high school and college credits.

“Attending this meeting was crucial for us to reassure the community that we are committed to ensuring that students impacted by Eastern Gateway’s enrollment pause will have the opportunity to continue their education seamlessly,” Johnson said at the time.

“The superintendents are a crucial pipeline to expanded educational opportunities for their students.”

During Thursday’s session, Johnson echoed his earlier comments, saying that YSU is an “anchor university here in northeast Ohio” in assuring that academic realignment will meet students’ needs and experiences.

The new YSU president also said that the university is committed to continued efforts to focus on building enrollment. Mechanisms are being installed to attract more of those serving in the military as well as veterans, he added.

Also at the meeting, Michael Peterson, board of trustees’ chairman, said the expansion to Steubenville likely will mean additional personnel, though neither he nor Rose was able to provide specific figures.

Eastern Gateway Community College students with questions about transferring to YSU are asked to call 330-941-2000, or email enroll@ysu.edu.

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