By Nicarlyle Hanchard and John Ostapowicz / The Jambar
Youngstown State University clarified its plans to operate a satellite campus in Jefferson County during a special meeting Nov. 20.
The board of trustees voted on the resolution to accept real property and related personal property from the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners and Eastern Gateway Community College, respectively.
In a statement, YSU President Bill Johnson stated the university remains determined to provide high-quality education that will fill the workforce needs of Jefferson County.
“We’re not just inheriting a building — we’re investing in a future,” Johnson stated. “By securing this campus space, we’re ensuring that local students continue to have access to strong career-enhancing programs, supportive services and a university that believes in their community.”
Earlier this year, Johnson said, though he was hopeful of YSU’s future in Steubenville, he awaited feedback from the state to discuss their input. Prior to the board’s voting, Johnson said the journey to these resolutions was extensive and he is happy for the state’s input.
“I’m happy to say, the state stepped forward. We didn’t get everything we wanted, but we did get what I believe is an adequate operational and capital starting point,” Johnson said. “We also began to conduct, in earnest, a marketing analysis so we could ascertain if the funding strategy is adequate based on the student market in that region.”
Considering market analysis findings, Johnson said though the path has possible risks, there is a substantial student market and educational need that can be fulfilled with YSU’s presence in Jefferson County.
“We believe the funding to be adequate to start operations, and we believe with the right fiscal oversight and aggressive marketing strategies, the operation can and will be long-term sustainable,” Johnson said.
He said the declining trust between Jefferson County residents and higher education institutions, along with the uncertainty of students’ return rate, are some of the possible hiccups YSU will face entering Steubenville.
Johnson also spoke on the number and specialization of faculty and staff as other issues. He said faculty will be employed as needed.
“We don’t fully know the rate at which students will return, nor do we know the availability of the kinds of faculty and staff we will need because we don’t know what [courses] students are going to want to take,” Johnson said. “We believe when potential students find out about the superior educational offerings of YSU there in Steubenville, something they’ve never had before, they will return, and I believe, in significant numbers.”
The board of trustees voted unanimously to pass the resolution. Johnson stated the board’s actions emphasize their determination to meet the region’s needs.
“Today’s resolution is about access to a full spectrum of educational choices for the people previously served by EGCC, it’s about stability, responsibility and opportunity,” Johnson stated. “Accepting this property is another concrete step toward building a long-term, full-service educational presence in Steubenville.”
Johnson said he is grateful for the state’s confidence in YSU’s capability to man the project, and the board for supporting an extension of YSU’s reach in the region. He also said that if all goes as planned, classes could be offered by summer 2026.