The new Millennium belongs to...the Class of 2022!

Mostly born in the year 2000, they arrived on the YSU campus in August as freshmen. These students were born into a world of Y2K, constantly evolving technology and social media.

What do they think of this world we live in? We asked them. We surveyed over 400 members of the Class of 2022 as they represent a snapshot of our collective future and what's to come on the horizon. They opened up to us about who they are, what their hopes are and what they see as the biggest challenge facing their generation.

They describe themselves as outgoing, passionate, determined and kind. They are keenly aware of the potential that is looming for their generation to be challenged when it comes to personal communication and face-to-face interaction. They want to get good grades, travel the world, conquer space and cure diseases but most of all, they want what every generation before them has strived for, success and a long happy life surrounded by their loved ones.

SURVEY: 400+ First-year Students

MICHAEL FACTOR
Canfield, Ohio/Canfield H.S.
Political Science (Foreign Affairs Track)

Michael in one word:
Determined

On campus:
Joined SGA, Honors College, Ethics Bowl,
Moot Court and is volunteering.

Biggest issue facing the world today?
“Political divisions…the separation of people into opposing camps. The idea of the other against us is a dangerous notion that stops us from working together as a society.”

Legacy:
Michael is the son of Lori Factor, 1985, and his sister, Megan, graduated in 2018.

HANNAH BEST
Hubbard, Ohio/Hubbard H.S.
Marketing

Career goal:
To own her own business.

Biggest challenge facing her generation?
Not looking up from phones and interpersonal skills. She commented about how quiet the campus can be with people everywhere just looking down on their phones.

YSU family ties:
Her brother Wesley is a sophomore at YSU.

JASMA DOSS
Cleveland, Ohio/JFK PACT H.S.
Computer Science

Career Goal:
Web Developer/Software Developer

Biggest accomplishment?
Being where I am right now.

Why YSU?
The planetarium, the professors, the welcoming feeling, the STEM program and just the overwhelming support for students.

What’s in the future?
“I am looking forward to changing the world. It can be a small way, I want to make a difference in someone’s life; that’s my main goal.”

TERRENCE BOGGS
Warren, Ohio/LaBrae H.S.
Music Performance & Jazz Studies

Terrence in one word:
Passionate

Biggest accomplishment?
First performance ever was at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

What’s in the future?
“I’m looking forward to the capability to perform. How can I take what I learn here at YSU and actually use that to build my dream.”

Surprised him on campus:
“People just don’t care, and not necessarily in a bad way, people are not afraid to express who they are, and how they feel and their opinions.”

OLIVIA WALL
Moon Twp., Pa./Moon Area H.S.
Music Education

She wants to live to see?
The day that going to college doesn't have to be such a struggle for the less fortunate.

Why YSU?
“The environment is so welcoming! Everyone is so supportive of one another, and this university will definitely set me on track to get where I want to be after graduation!”

On campus:
Joined Ohio Collegiate Music Educators Association, Fresh Guin Leaders, Color Guard for the Marching Pride and Alpha Xi Delta Sorority.

Surprised her on campus:
“What surprised me was that I was able to so quickly make friends here because everyone is just so nice and welcoming.”

CALEB SHAW
Warren, Ohio/Howland H.S.
Marketing

College bucket list?
Networking

He wants to live to see:
A solution for world hunger.

Biggest issue facing the world today:
“I feel like we’re not on the same page. We don’t communicate the way we should; maybe not just communication, but an understanding of people. We are so quick to have our opinion but not to listen to others’ opinions. There are two sides to everything.”

Legacy:
Caleb is the son of Stephanie Shaw, 1992.

NATHANIEL MORGRET
Andover, Ohio/Homeschooled
Electrical Engineering

Nathaniel in one word:
Methodical

Biggest challenge facing his generation?
“There are not enough deep-rooted, proper relationships.”

Next “Big Trend”:
Autonomous cars

What makes you unique:
“Electrical Engineering has been a hobby of mine for the past 6 or 8 years. I have always known that I wanted to be an engineer.”

KATHRYN "KAT" VELEZ
Jacksonville, NC/Dixon H.S.
Still deciding her major

Career Goal:
To be content with what she is doing.

Her hope?
To see a society more accepting of diversity.

Biggest issue facing the world today:
Apathy towards other people.

She hopes to learn:
“How to navigate social relationships on a large scale and really just narrow down what I am interested in.”

Legacy:
Kat is the daughter of Randy Velez, 1997.

TAYLOR WASELICH
New Castle, Pa./Laurel Jr. Sr. H.S.
Communications

Career Goal:
Work with National Geographic and take pictures around the world.

Greatest Accomplishment:
First generation college student! “Being here, in college. I am the first one in my family to get to the point that I am at today.”

She wants to live to see:
The complete elimination of garbage in the oceans.

What makes you unique?
“I am a very artistic person so, I think I can express myself in ways that other people can’t.”