YOUNGSTOWN – Youngstown State University announced Monday a strategic repositioning of its academic offerings to optimize resources and invest in programs with high enrollment and market demand.

After an extensive 3.5-year review process dating back to summer 2020 and driven by faculty-involved efforts, the university is making significant changes to ensure sustained growth and meet the evolving needs of students and the region.

The university has allocated resources to reinforce majors with substantial growth potential and demand in the job market. YSU has approved 16 new faculty positions across 10 majors to facilitate this strategic realignment.

The departments and number of new hires are:

● Chemistry/Biology (4)

● Engineering (4)

● Computer Science/Cybersecurity (4)

● Forensic Science (1)

● Nursing (2)

● Exercise Science (1)

In addition, YSU is working on improvement plans for 12 majors identified as needing enhancement. These majors include:

● Multimedia Communication (formerly TCOM)

● Public Health (Bachelor’s)

● Dental Hygiene

● Sociology

● Economics

● Philosophy

● Journalism

● Environmental Science

● Anthropology

Geology

Dietetics

Physics Astronomy

These plans are being collaboratively developed by the Office of Academic Affairs, faculty, chairs and deans of the 12 majors listed to revitalize and enhance their viability.

“Investing in the academic portfolio’s key areas aligns with our commitment to preparing future-ready professionals and contributing to regional workforce development,” said Jennifer Pintar, YSU’s Interim Provost.

In parallel, YSU is making the difficult decision to phase out (sunset) certain majors due to low enrollment, limited market demand and/or constrained growth potential. The programs being phased out include Geography, Music Composition (including graduate programs), Music Jazz Studies (graduate program), Art Education and Interdisciplinary Studio Art and Digital Media/Photography. Graphic and Interactive Design will become an individual major, separate from the Studio Art major.

This means that the university will now no longer admit new students to these specific programs but all continuing students will have the opportunity to complete their degrees at YSU. Individual “teach out” plans and dedicated advising support will be provided to ensure they remain on track toward graduation in their chosen program.

“The phase-out of these music majors does not mean that the Dana School of Music is being shut down,” said Phyllis Paul, dean of the Cliffe College of Creative Arts.

Dana will retain its bachelor and online masters of music education, bachelor and masters of music performance and audio music production degrees. These changes will allow the college to re-envision the music performance majors to create innovative ways to differentiate and improve the marketability of graduates.

“Student enrollment drives the financial foundation of music programs in the Dana School of Music. When students chose one program over another those courses left under enrolled must be reimagined,” stated Michael R. Crist, former Director of the Dana School of Music and YSU professor emeritus. “I’m sad to know that jobs will be lost due to low enrollment at Dana. I’m optimistic the faculty and administration will work together to rebuild an even stronger Dana School of Music.”

While these decisions mean that the University may need to lay off up to 13 faculty members, YSU is taking proactive steps to support affected faculty. The university will extend a Voluntary Separation Retirement Program (VSRP) to faculty in the phased-out majors and provide information on opportunities available within other university departments.

Right now there are 20 full-time faculty at Dana, 10 in the art department and four in geography / urban-regional studies, so 13 layoffs and / or retirements would be a 38 percent reduction in those departments.

Becky Rose, director of marketing and communications for YSU, said the exact number will depend upon how many opt for the VSRP.

“To create a sustainable and robust academic environment, we’ve evaluated program performance and market needs,” stated Pintar. “These changes are part of a proactive strategy to focus our resources where they’re most impactful and to align our offerings with evolving business/industry demands.”

In addition to these areas of reinvestment in the academic portfolio, Youngstown State University has also committed to a strong investment in workforce development for the region and beyond. This not only helps to train the workforce of tomorrow, it also provides YSU students with value added opportunities to earn certificates and credentials in addition to their degrees.

The changes underline YSU’s dedication to strategic growth and aligning its academic offerings with the evolving needs of students and industries. The university remains committed to providing quality education, enhancing program distinctiveness and maintaining its position as a catalyst for regional growth and development.

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