Latest news with #YoungstownStateUniversity
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Group aims to stop controversial law banning DEI at Ohio's universities before it takes effect
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A controversial law that would ban DEI at Ohio's universities is scheduled to go into effect this week — unless a grassroots movement begun by Ohio professors can stop it. 'Unfortunately, given how bad this bill is for faculty, students, and higher education in general, this was our only option,' Mark Vopat, president of Youngstown State's faculty union, said. Vopat is one of three professors at Youngstown State University driving a state-wide volunteer effort to pause Senate Bill 1 until voters can decide whether or not to pass it in November. Vopat and his colleagues are racing a June 26 deadline to complete the referendum process, which requires collecting 250,000 signatures and submitting them to the state before S.B. 1 goes into effect on Friday. This past weekend marked the final major push for signatures. EdChoice families hit first when public schools lack transportation funding Senate Bill 1 will ban diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at Ohio's public universities, and limit faculty union powers. Ohio allows laws to be challenged in the 90 days before they take effect, and Vopat said it seemed that was the only option. See previous coverage in the video player above. 'It was clear that the 1,500 instances of opposition testimony, hundreds of in-person testimony, and thousands of people protesting resulted in no changes to the bill,' he said. To get on the ballot, they must collect 248,092 valid signatures from Ohio voters — equal to 6% of participants in the last gubernatorial election. They must also collect as many signatures as equal to 3% of the last gubernatorial vote in 44 of 88 counties. However, training materials for the effort's petition circulators said the group is hoping for at least 425,000 signatures, as they expect not all signatures will be considered valid. Vopat said this last weekend marked the final push for petition drives, adding the 'No Kings' protests, Pride events and Juneteenth events were especially productive for getting signatures. He said although there may be some targeted breakout petition events this week, widespread collection will end by Monday to have time to prepare the submission to the state. The group is entirely made up of volunteers. In early May, Vopat and his colleagues created the Labor Education And Diversity Ohio PAC to fund the printing of petitions, but said they initially paid out of pocket for materials and a website. How to stay safe from firework-related injuries this summer Vopat said the hard work is important to stop the bill from going into effect, and to prevent similar bills in the future. 'We want to stop the government in its steps before its attacks reach K-12 and other unions,' the effort's website said. 'What happens to higher education is going to roll down to K-12 and outward to other labor unions.' Vopat said the anti-DEI provisions in S.B. 1 harm everyone, from eliminating sensitivity training to support veterans to creating a 'chilling effect' toward what can be taught in the classroom. He also said the law's mandatory civic education course is an overstep and a dangerous precedent, saying it was the first time he can recall the state mandating both a course and the content taught in it. Provisions like these make the group think the measure could reasonably fail at the ballot. This week, the group will gather its signatures so they can be submitted to the state for review. Vopat said Attorney General Dave Yost gave them until June 26 to submit the petition, one day later than they had originally thought. If the signatures are verified by the Secretary of State, it will go to the Ohio Ballot Board to place on the Nov. 4 ballot. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
YSU launches new health management degree
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Youngstown State University is launching a new, fully online Associate of Science in Health Information Management (HIM) degree. The first class will start this fall through the Bitonte College of Health and Human Services and is designed to meet the rising demand for skilled professionals. According to National Labor Data, the field is projected to grow by 8% through 2029. The curriculum will include preparation for varying certifications and a practicum experience. 'This program was developed with a clear purpose: to prepare students for the future of healthcare,' said Sara Michaliszyn, dean of the Bitonte College of Health and Human Services, in a news release. 'We're combining flexible online learning with certification preparation, applied learning and career-aligned pathways. It's a comprehensive approach to supporting the next generation of health information professionals.' Applications are now open for the fall class. For more information on the program and how to apply, visit the HIM program page. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Joseph A. Melia, Boardman, Ohio
BOARDMAN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Joseph A. Melia, 66, passed away peacefully Sunday afternoon, June 1, 2025. Joseph was born July 3, 1958, in Youngstown, the son of Rocco and Mary (Buffone) Melia. Find obituaries from your high school He received his fine arts degree from Youngstown State University. His passion and talents led him to draw and paint for many years. Joe was an avid reader. He would read the Bible and loved sci-fi comic books. He enjoyed going out to dinner and the time spent with his family, especially his nieces. He was a devout catholic and a member of St. Luke Church where he would regularly attend Sunday mass and daily masses. Joe leaves behind to cherish his memory, his brother Michael (Michele) Melia; two nieces, Nicole (Jess) Melia Shaw and Angela Melia; and great niece, Paisley. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rocco and Mary. There will be calling hours from 10:00 – 10:50 a.m. on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, St. Luke Church, 5235 South Avenue in Boardman followed by a 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial with Rev. Msgr. John Zuraw as celebrant. Arrangements have been entrusted to the professional care of the Rossi Brothers and Lellio Funeral Home, 4442 South Avenue in Boardman. Family and Friends are encouraged to offer prayers for the family and support via phone call, text or email or you may visit the Book of Memories at To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph A. Melia, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Club awards scholarships to local students attending YSU
BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) – An Italian-American Club formed in 1953 once again awarded scholarships to Mahoning County high school students planning to attend Youngstown State University. Six of the nine students posed for a photo Wednesday before the Wolves Club scholarship banquet at Michael Alberini's restaurant in Boardman. A total of $103,000 in scholarship money was handed out, which was $11,400 per student. 'It's a great organization. Youngstown State University, we're partners, and it's a matching fund as far as, if we give 50, Youngstown State gives 50, so we match our funds. It's one of the few organizations that Youngstown State does that with,' said Chairman Jim Frankino. The scholarship recipients are the following: Paul Armour, of Struthers Robert Carcelli, of Struthers Gianna Clement, of Lowellville Rocco DiLisio, of Ursuline Morgan Hollister, of South Range Ryan Nigh, of Ursuline High Gianna Noble, of Canfield Maximus Scott, of Cardinal Mooney Vincent Tufaro, of Poland Seminary Throughout its 71 years, the Wolves Club has given out $1.4 million in scholarships — all to Mahoning County students attending YSU. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
James J. Cerenelli, Sr., Youngstown, Ohio
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – James J. 'Jim' Cerenelli, Sr., beloved husband, father, uncle and lifelong public servant, entered into his Eternal Rest on Sunday, May 25, 2025. He was 72. Jim was born July 29, 1952, in Youngstown, the only son of Josephine F. and James M. Cerenelli. Find obituaries from your high school Music soon became his first love, playing saxophone, drums and guitar during his youth. It bloomed into a relationship that would help define his life. Jim polished his musical talents while taking part in several sports at Liberty High School before graduating in 1970. He enrolled briefly at Youngstown State University. He then began his extraordinary life of service and sacrifice by joining the US Marine Corps at the height of the Vietnam War. Jim was stationed in Hawaii, at Parris Island and in Washington, DC. He called his military experience the most meaningful and consequential of his formative years. Upon his honorable discharge, Jim moved to Columbus, where he earned a living as a musician. His love for country and community eventually led him back home to follow in his father's indelible footsteps and join the Liberty Township Police Department. Jim's tenure saw him fulfill practically every conceivable duty, from patrolman to acting chief. He led the detective bureau, completed FBI training at Quantico, Virginia and was part of the Violent Crimes Task Force. He helped bring justice to countless families, imparted wisdom on a generation of officers and kept his community a safer place, all while upholding the highest standards of ethical and professional work. Jim's retirement from the police department in 2002 soon led to his next calling of service, he developed the Public Safety program at Trumbull Career and Tech Center from the ground up. It provided him an opportunity to mold and develop young adults into the same caliber of EMTs, firefighters and dispatchers that he embodied. Perhaps even more importantly, it allowed him to personally impact a host of men and women as a leader, mentor and even a father figure. Even years after his second retirement, those men and women credit him for their career paths and successes. Away from his contributions to the military, law enforcement and education, Jim considered his family the center of his universe. He and his wife, Angie enjoyed 48 years of the strongest, most enduring and complete love that two people could ever hope to share. Their bond gave them two sons, James J., Jr. and Christopher. The pride Jim had in both of them could've only been exceeded by the devotion he had to them. There was simply nothing Jim wouldn't do for his children. Jim adored his two granddaughters, Gianna and Aubrey every bit as much as his children and their bond was as precious as it was deep. Jim also leaves many cousins and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. Family and friends may visit and pay tribute to Jim on Monday, June 2, 2025, from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., at St. Rose Catholic Church, 48 Main Street Girard, OH 44420, where a funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Church at 11:30 a.m., with military honors immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either Toys for Tots ( Hospice of The Valley ( or Emmanuel Center in Girard ( Arrangements handled by Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James J. 'Jim' Cerenelli Sr., please visit our floral 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
