Student Feature: All roads lead to YSU as out-of-state students find community and support

FEATURE STORY

Story by: Aicha Sawaneh, Professional Communication Graduate Student
Video and Photography by: Omar Frazier, junior, Multimedia Communication major

Leaving home to attend college in a new state or even a new country can be both exciting and overwhelming. For many out-of-state and international students at Youngstown State University, the transition becomes more than an academic journey. It becomes an opportunity to find community, mentorship and personal growth.

Through academic programs, campus organizations and faculty support, YSU students from beyond Ohio are discovering that distance from home can lead to connection, confidence and a sense of belonging.

Isha Sawaneh — Bitonte College of Health and Human Services
One of those students is Isha Sawaneh, a doctoral student in health sciences whose journey to Youngstown began in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Sawaneh chose Youngstown State University for a simple but meaningful reason: family. “My siblings were already here, and they would tell me how amazing their experience was,” she said. “I wanted that for myself.”

What began as a practical decision quickly became a defining chapter in her academic and personal life. After completing her undergraduate degree, Sawaneh considered applying to a doctoral program but initially doubted she was ready.

“I didn’t think I could get into a doctoral program straight from undergrad,” she said. “But Ken Learman, a professor of health and rehabilitation sciences, guided me every step of the way.”

Her transition to the United States brought challenges beyond academics.

“I left my country, my continent, everything I knew,” she said.

Support from campus organizations, including the African and Caribbean Student Union, helped her adjust and begin building a community at YSU.

Now balancing work, classes and research, Sawaneh says her time at YSU has strengthened her independence and confidence.

Her academic path itself has been an unexpected opportunity.

“I’m a 22-year-old getting a Ph.D. That is huge,” she said.

Sawaneh said her time at YSU has strengthened her confidence and independence. “I’m not that scared teenager anymore,” she said. “I’m more confident. I make decisions on my own. I’m not afraid to ask for help.”

Relationships across campus have played a central role in that growth, from professors and advisors to coworkers and classmates.

“The community means everything to me,” she said. “People are always willing to help. That’s really important.”

For students considering YSU from outside Ohio or outside the country, Sawaneh encourages them to keep an open mind and take advantage of campus resources.

“You’re going to meet people from all over the world.” She said.“Don’t be afraid to ask for help or make mistakes. We have a strong support system here for you.”

Shane Chalus — Williamson College of Business Administration
For Shane Chalus, a senior accounting major from Munhall, Pennsylvania, choosing YSU came down to finding the right balance between academic quality and affordability. “I thought YSU was a great choice for me because I wasn’t willing to sacrifice value for price,” Chalus said.

After visiting campus on a high school visitation day, he quickly realized YSU offered the environment he was looking for.

Moving away from home also meant learning to live independently for the first time. Chalus said that experience helped him become more responsible and focused on his academic goals.

Faculty support played an important role in that transition, he said, noting that professors were accessible and willing to help students succeed.

During his time at YSU, Chalus also discovered opportunities outside the classroom, including volunteering through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, which provides free tax preparation services to community members.

Through those experiences, he said he has grown both professionally and personally. “It’s been a great opportunity for growth and building on yourself,” Chalus said.

Will Anderson — Beeghly College of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences and Education
Will Anderson, a senior multimedia communication major in the sports broadcasting track, said he began searching for colleges with strong sports broadcasting programs while still in high school.

“YSU had a more specialized program for it, so that stood out to me,” Anderson said. After visiting campus during a Penguin Preview Day in October 2022 with his father, he quickly felt that YSU could be the right fit.

Moving from Little Elm, Texas to Ohio required Anderson to step outside his comfort zone. Having grown up in the same hometown his entire life, relocating nearly 17 hours away meant adjusting to a completely new environment.

The close-knit nature of YSU’s communication program helped him quickly form friendships and build connections with classmates, he said.

Outside the classroom, Anderson gained hands-on experience through student media, contributing to the student newspaper and working with the university’s television station. Through the sports broadcasting program, he has also had opportunities to call games and work behind the scenes at athletic events.

“I transferred as a sophomore, so I’ve only been here a couple of years,” Anderson said. “But calling games for the school is something I didn’t expect to be doing so soon.”

Despite the distance from Texas, Anderson said he has found a strong sense of belonging at YSU.

“I feel like the community here has really accepted me,” he said. “It’s kind of like having a family away from home.”

He also credits his family and girlfriend, who remain in Texas, for helping him stay grounded throughout his college experience.

“Having a good support group is really important,” he said.

Devika Rajeev — College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Devika Rajeev, a senior biology major and member of the Sokolov Honors College from South Jordan, Utah, first discovered YSU through the BaccMed program, which connects students interested in medicine with early assurance opportunities at partner medical schools.

Her first summer on campus confirmed she had made the right decision. During that term, she took general chemistry with Janelle Mitchell, senior lecturer in chemical and biological sciences.

“She was amazing,” Rajeev said. “She was the best professor to have starting off.” Rajeev said the welcoming environment she encountered during those early weeks helped ease her transition to a new state.

Although moving from Utah to Ohio initially felt unfamiliar, support from programs such as the Sokolov Honors College helped her navigate academic requirements and find opportunities to get involved on campus.

Rajeev later connected with the surrounding community through volunteer work at the Rich Center for Autism and Mercy Health, experiences that strengthened both her professional interests and her connection to the region.

Although she initially felt nervous about leaving home, Rajeev said she quickly found a supportive community at YSU.

“If you put yourself out there, volunteer and get involved, you’ll really appreciate the community here,” she said.

Rajeev said her experience at YSU has helped her build confidence and strengthen her skills as a student.

“I’ve developed better time management and more confidence in my abilities,” she said. “Sometimes you feel a little out of place, but this experience has really confirmed my abilities to be able to function as a student.”

Kaela Lawson — Cliffe College of Creative Arts
For Kaela Lawson, a senior K-12 instrumental music education major with an emphasis in clarinet, choosing YSU was inspired by a trusted mentor and high school orchestra director.

Originally from Wheeling, West Virginia, Lawson said Ben Podolski, a YSU alum, encouraged her to visit campus — a decision that ultimately shaped her college journey. That visit, along with her experience participating in YSU’s “Jam the Gym” event as a high school student, helped confirm she had found the right place. During the event, she connected with current students and faculty who continued to reach out even after she returned home.

“They made it so welcoming,” Lawson said. “They made it so easy for us to acclimate ourselves into the big scary college world.”

Arriving on campus without knowing anyone was initially a challenge, but Lawson said the support she received from upperclassmen and peers helped her quickly adjust. Through band camp and involvement in the Dana School of Music, she built strong relationships that made YSU feel like home.

She credits that sense of community, especially within the music program, for helping her grow both personally and professionally.

Now a senior, Lawson has embraced a leadership role, mentoring younger students and continuing the same support system that once helped her.

“I’ve become the senior that I needed when I was a freshman,” she said.

Beyond academics, Lawson said YSU has encouraged her to step outside her comfort zone, explore new interests and get involved across campus.

Reflecting on her experience, Lawson described YSU as a place that values individuality and growth.

“There is no such thing as a wrong answer, only different interpretations,” she said.

Together, their experiences reflect how Youngstown State University continues to attract students from across the country and around the world. Through supportive faculty, hands-on learning opportunities and a welcoming campus community, YSU helps students build confidence, develop professionally and find a place to belong far from home.