Division of Student Affairs

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The Division of Student Affairs is committed to supporting students in every facet of their
experience at YSU. Each of our offices contributes directly to the University's overall mission to
place students at its center.

Office of Student Affairs

Community Standards and Student Conduct

Dean of Students

Student Counseling Services

AVI (Campus Dining Services)

Barnes and Noble

Campus Recreation

Housing & Residence Life

Kilcawley Center

Mercy Health

Off Campus Housing

SGA

Student Activities

Student Media

Kilcawley Center Renovation Updates

Veterans Resource Center

YSU Vending

Wee Care Day Care

Joy Polkabla Byers

Welcome to the Penguin Family!

We are thrilled to welcome YOU to Youngstown State University! As you begin this exciting new chapter, know that you are joining a vibrant and supportive community that is here to help you thrive, both inside and outside the classroom.

At YSU, the Division of Student Affairs is home to a passionate team dedicated to your success. We are committed to:

  • Fostering a strong sense of belonging
  • Celebrating diversity and promoting cultural awareness
  • Encouraging healthy, independent lifestyles
  • Helping you discover and pursue your passions
  • Holding each other accountable with integrity
  • Inspiring pride, civic engagement, and community spirit

We encourage you to get involved! With over 180 registered student organizations—from Club Sports and Greek Life to academic and special interest groups—there’s something for everyone. These groups offer incredible opportunities for leadership, personal growth, peer support, and community service.

We also understand that college life can come with challenges. Please know that we are here to support you through any obstacles you may face. Whether you need guidance, advocacy, or just someone to talk to, we are committed to helping you succeed while maintaining a safe and inclusive campus environment.

So, explore campus, ask questions, make lifelong friends, and dive into all that YSU has to offer. Study hard, follow your passions, get involved—and don’t forget to have fun along the way.

We’re here for you every step of the journey. Welcome to Youngstown State University—we can’t wait to see all that you’ll accomplish!

See you on campus, 
Joy Polkabla Byers (“JPB”)

Interim Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students

Joy's contact Information
jlbyers@ysu.edu
(330) 941-2242 (O)
(330) 941-2961 (F)
 

Division of Student Affairs Mission

We enhance students’ collegiate experience by creating an inclusive environment that cultivates relationships, fosters a sense of belonging, encourages personal growth and responsibility, and strengthens their interpersonal and professional skills. 

The Student Affairs team is committed to creating experiences that help our students to gain and develop the following: 

Autonomy: Encouraging, supporting and mentoring students to gain independence through a variety of new and relevant experiences, responsibilities, relationships, and exposure to new ideas, people and environments while challenging student to align their personal and social responsibility within the YSU community.

Passion: Helping students identify their ever-evolving passions in their personal, professional and academic lives, through positive campus engagement.

Civility: Treating all members of the campus and community with dignity, courtesy, respect, politeness and consideration in behavior and speech regardless of differences in beliefs or opinions. 

Accountability: Prioritizing integrity in our community by upholding ethical standards, transparency, and fairness in all policies, processes and interactions, while holding individuals accountable for their actions.

Belonging: Encouraging student connections and idea sharing inside and outside of the classroom that culminates in positive experiences, invested relationships and high level of engagement within the YSU community while creating institutional pride.

Identity: Supporting each student's development of an authentic self within a community that strives to fully accept and acknowledge each other, recognizing and valuing the diversity in experience that we can all contribute.

Well-being: Fostering a caring environment that prioritizes attention to physical, mental, and emotional health and quality of life as students pursue their academic and career goals.

Service: Purposefully engaging students in activities that develop and strengthen leadership skills, enrich the lives of those with the YSU community, and establish a commitment to meeting the needs of others.

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