Youngstown State University announced Monday that it has received a national designation recognizing its work with the local community.

The university has been awarded the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. This distinction places YSU among a select group of colleges and universities across the country recognized for connecting their resources with local needs.

University President Bill Johnson announced the news during a press conference at Tod Hall. He described the classification as a historic milestone for the institution.

The classification is valid for six years and is awarded by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Unlike many academic awards that are based on research data or enrollment numbers, this classification is an elective designation. It requires a self-study process. To qualify, YSU had to document its partnerships with local businesses, non-profits, and schools.

The review process looks for evidence that the university is not just providing services to the community but working alongside partners to solve problems.

According to the university's office of community engagement, the approach focuses on "reciprocity." This means the partnerships must show a mutual exchange of knowledge and resources. The goal is to work "with" the community rather than just "for" it.

YSU community initiatives includes collaborations like the "Success Over 60" program with the Butler Institute of American Art and ongoing partnerships with the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.

The American Council on Education manages the classification to encourage colleges to become more involved in their regions. Only a small percentage of higher education institutions in the United States currently hold this classification.