YSU restructures Student Affairs as students' needs evolve

Youngstown State University today announced a major restructuring of its Student Affairs division to help enhance and better focus services for students in the era of COVID-19 and beyond.

“We’ve always provided outstanding services to help our students succeed, both in and out of the classroom,” President Jim Tressel said. “The pandemic, while creating serious challenges for students and the university in general, also has revealed several opportunities that we believe will help us improve our approach and provide students an even better experience.”

The reorganization includes the creation of three units in Student Affairs: Student Experience, Student Enrollment/Business Operations and the new Office of the Dean of Students.

“The pandemic has helped us all better appreciate and understand the challenges and daily stresses facing students,” said Nicole Kent-Strollo, who has been appointed to the new Dean of Students position. “This reorganization allows us to better address those challenges, to alleviate some of those stresses and to make abundantly clear to students that they are the university’s top priority.”

The reorganization is taking place in the wake of the departure of Eddie Howard, who served as vice president for Student Affairs for 5.5 years. The new structure:

• Office of Student Experience, led by Joy Polkabla Byers, associate vice president, previously executive director of Campus Recreation and Student Well-being. The office includes Housing and Residence Life, Student Activities, Campus Recreation and Student Well-being, Veterans Affairs, and Auxiliary Services (Kilcawley Center).
• Office of Student Enrollment and Business Services, led by Elaine Ruse, associate vice president, previously executive director of Student Enrollment Services. The office includes Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid and Scholarships.
• Office of the Dean of Students, led by Nicole Kent-Strollo, dean of students, previously director of YSU Student Outreach and Support. The office includes Student Outreach and Support, Student Counseling Services, and Community Standards, Advocacy and Conduct.

The restructuring comes as YSU implements increased student mental health services in response to the continued pandemic, including additional counselors and other resources related to stress management, wellness and self-help.

“We are dedicated to ensuring that students have a safe, centralized point of contact to discuss any situation or concern, specifically those related to mental and physical health, hospitalizations, food and housing insecurities, challenging family situations, issues with a faculty or staff member, or any other barrier that may impede their success,” Kent-Strollo said.

Polkabla Byers said the Office of Student Experience will continue to focus on enhancing student success by engaging students in experiences that generate quality relationships, support life balance, facilitate personal growth and develop a commitment to well-being and leadership.

“We create a home away from home for all students whether living on campus or commuting daily while helping them find and explore their passion,” she said.

Ruse said the leadership restructuring will provide comprehensive support for the students that are recruited to attend YSU. “The strategies we use to recruit and retain students during COVID-19 and beyond will necessitate more collaboration than the past,” she said.