YOUNGSTOWN - The Valley will learn more today about the woman chosen to lead Youngstown State University while the Board of Trustees looks for someone to replace President Jim Tressel, who is stepping down on January 31.

Helen K. Lafferty, interim YSU president, is scheduled to hold an interim news conference at 3 p.m. on Monday, October 17.

Trustees unanimously approved Lafferty’s appointment at a meeting last week.

The final terms of the appointment will be approved at the board's next meeting in December.

Lafferty, a professor at Villanova University, is a YSU graduate.

Lafferty has been an administrator and faculty member at Villanova University just outside of Philadelphia PA for nearly four decades. She plans to take a period of paid leave from Villanova to assume the position of Interim President.

During her time at Villanova University, Lafferty has served as Academic Counselor in the University Counseling Center, Assistant and Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs, and the First University Vice President, a position she's held for 16 years.

Lafferty, who will resign her position as a national and global member of the YSU Board of Trustees,  will be on a sabbatical from her position at Villanova and return there once YSU finds a replacement as the new president of YSU..