Family of the Year

2025-26 Family of the Year

Housing & Residence Life at Youngstown State University is excited to honor a YSU family by recognizing a Family of the Year. Families are an essential part of the support network for our students. Thus, we ask for you to honor those that support you by nominating them for YSU’s Family of the Year. The award celebrates the role that families play in the lives of students and the Penguin community. The selection of the Youngstown State University’s Family of the Year is based upon the nomination by YSU students and the review and selection by members of YSU's Division of Student Affairs.

This award is given annually to the family of a current Youngstown State University student. Please review the award criteria and guidelines below and submit your nomination recognizing your exceptional family as the 2025 Family of the Year prior to 5:00 pm on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. Should you choose to complete a nomination, make sure to ask your family to save the date of October 3, 2025, in order to be present at the Family Weekend football game vs. South Dakota State (6:00 pm). The award will be presented during the game following the first quarter.

More information about Family Weekend can be found at the YSU Family Weekend 2025 webpage.

Eligibility

Families must have at least one (1) undergraduate student enrolled full time and in good standing at the YSU campus;
All families are eligible for consideration regardless of residency or alumni status;
Student nominators must submit an essay of 1,000 words or less and a photo;
All nominations must be submitted online via the website form (see below) prior to 5:00 pm on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. Nominations received after the date and time will not be considered for this award.

Judging Criteria

The award will be judged based on the following:

Your Family…

Provides ongoing support for student success;
Serves as a positive role model in various aspects of life (e.g. behavior, finances, etc.);
Makes personal and/or professional sacrifices for other members of the family;
Helps you gain independence and provides the tools for you to be successful at YSU.
Supports Youngstown State University; and/or
Continues to empower and challenge you to grow as a person

Essay Questions

Answer the following questions as completely and as accurately as possible. The essay should be a maximum of 1,000 words describing why your family should be selected for this award. Please be sure that your essay includes answers to the following questions:

Please indicate and describe how your family members have been supportive of your success in college.
Please indicate and describe what effect your family has had on you during your college experience.
Why do you think your family should be selected as YSU’s Family of the Year and how do they stand out from other YSU families?
Please indicate one word or phrase that describes your family and why you selected that.
Any additional comments you would like to make.

Photo Submission

Please submit a photo of your family that can be used to announce the winner.

What the Family of the Year will receive:

Up to six (6) complimentary Family Weekend passes for your family;
A commemorative plaque presented to you and your family during the Family Weekend Football Game (Saturday, October 4, 2025).
Your family will be featured in YSU publications.
A gift valuing $500 from the YSU Bookstore.

Deadline for Nominations is Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 5:00 pm..

Even if your submission is not chosen, we hope you will share it with your family and use Family Weekend to spend some quality time celebrating your wonderful family.

Questions? Please contact John Michael Haky, Associate Director of Residence Life, at jmhaky@ysu.edu.

Nominations for the 2025 Family of the Year are closed. Nominations for the 2026 Family of the Year will open in August 2026.