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BILL JOHNSON: YSU is best bang for your education bucks

You may have heard, and maybe even believe yourself, the value of a four-year college degree has decreased. Well, for Pete’s sake! What is the basis for such thinking, and where do Youngstown State University and our region fit in? This is the first of several articles over the coming weeks that will address these and other important questions regarding YSU and the post-secondary (after high school) education of our region. We’ll highlight how YSU is designing itself to be THE anchor university of our region and the post-secondary educational opportunity of choice by offering ...

Community must help assess workforce challenges

Only 57% of residents over age 16 in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys are employed. That’s 6% lower than the 63% average of those in the same age group who are employed statewide and nationwide. At the same time, local employers struggle to fill job vacancies in nearly all industries and occupations. The struggle has caused some businesses to operate at reduced hours or even close their doors all together. Population in the local five-county area of Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties in Ohio and Mercer and Lawrence counties in Pennsylvania lags behind other parts of the ...

Now’s the time for Youngstown to reimagine the future

“It’s not hard you can hit, it’s how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done.” One of the best lines in the history of movies comes from the beloved boxing legend Rocky Balboa when he’s lecturing his son to get out of his slump. It’s a great line, and it’s the line the people of Youngstown need to remember as it tries to pick up the pieces — literally — from recent events that have knocked downtown to the canvas. I, like all of you, had true grief and sadness over the explosion at the Realty Tower. Akil Drake seemed like so many ...

YSU’s music school will continue to be successful

The decisions and outcomes at YSU this semester have weighed heavily on the Dana School of Music. We will greatly miss our colleagues who will not be returning full-time next year, and extend our appreciation for all they have done during their time at Dana. Throughout this situation, the community and alumni support has been strong and inspiring. It has underscored the need for the arts and arts education in our region and beyond, and the deep dedication and love for those who have been touched by the Dana School of Music. We are all very grateful for this support. Many have ...

Celebrate wonders of travel in the Valley and the region

As National Travel and Tourism Week unfolds, it’s the perfect time to highlight the unique aspects of the travel industry within Trumbull and Mahoning counties. Our region is not just a destination, but a treasure trove of cultural gems and natural sanctuaries that are unlike any other, regularly attracting a diverse range of visitors. Reflect upon the collections housed within the walls of the Medici Museum of Art, the nostalgia preserved at the National Packard Museum, the warmth of the End of the Commons General Store, the historic grandeur of the McKinley Memorial, and not to ...

Focus on mental health every month

Small steps can lead to big progress in mental health. In America today, approximately 1 in 5 Americans is suffering with a mental health issue; and approximately 1 in 25 adults is experiencing a serious mental illness that substantially interferes with one or more major life activities. Left unaddressed, the negative impact will increase. The time to act is now. As CEO of Belmont Pines Hospital, my staff and I have the privilege of serving many members of our community who are experiencing some of the most challenging times of their lives — mental illnesses that are often invisible ...