Jim Tressel

James P. Tressel became the ninth president of Youngstown State University in July 2014 and has been busy moving the campus forward on many fronts ever since.

Under President Tressel’s leadership, enrollment increased for the first time in five years and the university attracted its most academically-accomplished freshman class ever. In addition, the university revamped its development operations and hit record fund-raising levels, announced its first Rhodes Scholar recipient, reconfigured its executive leadership organization, froze tuition for two consecutive years and expanded its scholarship offerings. The university is also partnering with two private developers to construct new apartment style student housing on campus and is working with the city to improve major gateways to YSU.

Prior to becoming YSU president, Tressel was executive vice president for Student Success at the University of Akron, where he was charged with restructuring and leading the efforts of a newly created division dedicated to the academic and career success of students.