Would YSU be the leader in community college development?

YOUNGSTOWN —  Area legislators like an education and collaboration study of Northeast Ohio universities that would have Youngstown State University take the lead in developing a community college in the Mahoning Valley.

YSU has said it would like to do that and see the community college become an independent entity within 10 years. YSU has already been working on the concept for nearly two years and perceives it as a collaborative effort among regional educational institutions.

Creating the community college must be a collaborative approach, said Eric Fingerhut, Ohio’s Chancellor of Higher Education. He suggested it might not be wise to designate one institution as the “lead” agency in that process.

Kent State University, with its branch campuses, has a huge role to play in the creation of a local community college, as do the career centers in the counties, Fingerhut said.

The chancellor added that a community college here is a state priority, not just a Mahoning Valley priority.

YSU and its president, Dr. David C. Sweet, are proven advocates of a community college here, said Sen. Capri Cafaro of Liberty, D-32nd. YSU trustees believe that starting a community college here could increase overall college enrollment in the region, as well as serve as a feeder system for more advanced degrees offered by the university.

Cafaro pointed out, however, that two Kent campuses (Trumbull and Ashtabula) are in her district.

It’s important, whoever takes the lead, to work with the resources at those campuses, she said, adding, “Kent State branches must have a seat at the table.”

For more, see Sunday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com