STARS, Student Achievement in Research and Scholarship, is a statewide faculty mentoring program, sponsored by the Ohio Board of Regents, for high achieving undergraduate minority students (African-American, Hispanic, and Native American)students who are preparing themselves for graduate school and ultimately for academic careers. The mission of STARS is to increase minority representation in Ohio's college/university faculties. Youngstown State University is one of seventeen Ohio colleges and universities that participates in the STARS Program.

STARS provides students with academic counseling, independent research opportunities, conference participation and travel scholarships, networking opportunities, and assistance in applying to graduate school.

One of the major components of STARS is its emphasis on mentoring relationships between faculty members and students. STARS faculty make a voluntary, long-term commitment to mentor students, successfully moving them from the baccalaureate into strong Ph.D. programs. STARS faculty mentors provide appropriate guidance for students preparing for doctoral study in their respective academic disciplines, and assist students in research projects and conference participation. They personally guide young minority students toward high academic achievement, encourage them to complete the Ph.D., and to enter college teaching.

The YSU STARS Program commenced operations January 2006. An advisory board composed of representatives from each academic college and key student service areas has been established to assist in the structure and direction of the YSU program. The YSU STARS Program is coordinated out of the Office of Associate Degree and Tech Prep Programs.


Students are accepted into the STARS program during the end of the second semester of their freshman year through their senior year. The minimum grade point average for STARS students is 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Students are expected to maintain a 3.0 grade point average in order to remain funded by the STARS program. Failure to maintain a 3.0 may result in non-funded participation in the program.

Participating students are required to complete a scholarly research project, attend, and present their research project and findings at the Annual Ohio STARS Statewide Student Research Conference.

• Student Handbook
• Student Responsibilities
• Student Benefits
• Stipend Distribution Information
• Workshop Schedule
• Assignments
• Required Forms and Appointment Schedule
• Questionnaires

Please contact the program director, Arlene Floyd

Office of Associate Degree and Tech Prep Programs
Tod Hall Room 301
(330) 941-2333