Using as a Living document
The Academic Master Plan aligns closely with the University’s mission, vision, and Strategic Plan, Take Charge of Our Future. This alignment ensures that every decision we make—whether pursuing an initiative or choosing not to—directly supports these institutional priorities.
How does the AMP align with the Strategic Plan?
The YSU Strategic Plan outlines key priorities that shape the future of the institution, including student success, academic innovation, community engagement, and operational sustainability. The AMP serves as the academic engine driving these priorities forward by embedding them into the university’s curriculum, faculty development, research initiatives, policies, and student support strategies.
For example:
- Student-Centered Approach: YSU’s mission emphasizes student success, and the AMP operationalizes this through enhanced advising, retention strategies, and experiential learning opportunities.
- Innovation & Market Relevance: The Strategic Plan calls for academic programs that are forward-thinking. The AMP aligns by ensuring that programs are competitive, data-driven, and responsive to workforce demands.
- Community & Industry Partnerships: The AMP extends YSU’s commitment to regional impact by fostering collaborative initiatives with local businesses, industries, and organizations, strengthening experiential learning, internships, and research opportunities.
- Enrollment & Operational Efficiency: In response to increased state and federal scrutiny on higher education funding and efficiency, the AMP emphasizes data-driven decision-making, interdisciplinary collaboration, and strategic resource allocation to sustain and grow YSU’s academic offerings.
Because these areas are so interconnected, every action step within the AMP should prompt us to ask:
- ✅ Are we maximizing student potential and success?
- ✅ Are our programs aligned with industry and societal needs?
- ✅ Are faculty and staff supported in an environment of professional growth?
- ✅ Are we leveraging community and industry partnerships for mutual success?
The AMP is a living guide that will evolve as we measure progress, respond to new challenges, and seize emerging opportunities. While it complements the Strategic Plan, it also informs and supports other critical university initiatives, such as:
- The Strategic Enrollment Plan, ensuring that academic offerings enrollment strategies align.
- The Marketing and Recruitment Plan, guiding how YSU communicates academic strengths to prospective students.
- The Public Relations & Strategic Communications Plan, helping frame YSU’s academic brand and reputation while celebrating the accolades of our campus community.
Together, these plans create a cohesive and future-focused vision for Youngstown State University—one that empowers students, supports faculty, and strengthens our role as a leader in higher education.
“If you don’t have a plan, the budget becomes the plan”
- Mark Milliron
Leader in higher education, technology, and student success initiatives.
We have all heard the maxim that “If you don’t have a plan, the budget becomes the plan,” but it’s a true statement and a situation we want to avoid. The reality of this AMP is that it will highlight the fact that we may not all agree about every decision. However, once we are all assembled in the same boat rowing in the same direction, we will be moving in one direction. Rowing in the same direction requires transparency with how and why decisions will be made regarding pre-tenure, tenure, post-tenure, promotion, allocation of resources, and reassigned time. We need clear guidelines for which faculty and staff position lines will be prioritized. We also need to communicate how the budget is allocated, including when a program is no longer relevant and when programs need to be created to prepare our students for the future.
Your Role in the AMP
We ask that you engage with this document. Be an active participant in shaping the future of YSU. No matter your rank, title, or years of service, you have a role to play. Engage with your program, department, college, and the broader YSU community. Step beyond your immediate responsibilities and seek opportunities to collaborate across the university and within the region.
By working together, we ensure YSU continues to thrive—not just as a strong academic institution but as the transformative university of northeast Ohio.
This plan outlines expectations and goals, but its success depends on collective action. Every member of the YSU community contributes to bringing the AMP to life. Whether through teaching, research, service, advising, administrative support, or maintaining the physical beauty of our campus, work with your peers—not only in your department but across the university—to see how you can be part of the solution.
By working together, we ensure YSU continues to thrive—not just as a strong academic institution but as the transformative university of northeast Ohio.