Dean's Welcome

On behalf of the faculty, staff, students, and supporters of the Cliffe College of Creative Arts and Communication (CCAC) at Youngstown State University, I am delighted to welcome you to our website and introduce you to the programs within our College. For nearly a century, our distinguished and highly active faculty of artists and scholars has dedicated itself to helping students pursue their passions, develop their talents, and succeed in their educational and professional endeavors. The College is also a vital cultural asset to the YSU campus, the Mahoning Valley, and the state of Ohio, hosting over 400 events annually. 

The CCAC is comprised of four academic areas — the Departments of Art, Communication, Theatre and Dance, and the Dana School of Music — and two auxiliary units, the McDonough Museum of Art and the Office of Community Engagement and Events. With seven degrees in over 37 fields of study, students have the opportunity to develop depth in a primary concentration and breadth by exploring cross-disciplinary experiences in an extraordinarily creative environment. They are guided by faculty, who are also working artists, researchers, and scholars at the top of their fields, through innovative curricula designed to impart the vital skills that will empower them for success in their chosen areas.

We welcome your interest and hope that you will take some time to explore our website and learn about our outstanding academic programs, opportunities, faculty, facilities, and everything else the Cliffe College of Creative Arts and Communication has to offer. The faculty, staff, and I welcome any questions you may have about our programs, and we look forward to seeing you here on the campus of YSU!

- Phyllis M. Paul, Ph.D.