In 1888, the Youngstown (Ohio) branch of the Young Men's Christian Association began offering evening classes in various subjects to local residents. In 1908, its Law School began, with a class of nine men. In 192 1, the Youngstown Association School was officially designated the "Youngstown Institute of Technology," but was frequently referred to as "Youngstown College," an appellation that would not become official until the Institute was formally renamed as such in 1928.

Youngstown College came to be administered by Dr. Howard W. Jones, who served as president from 1935 through 1966, by which time Youngstown College had become Youngstown University (One year later, in 1967, YU would become a public institution of higher education and would be renamed Youngstown State University). Jones was selected for the job by the College's Board of Governors,* which was composed of local corporate executives and individuals from other professions. Chief among them was James L. Wick, Jr., who served as the Chairman of the Youngstown College Board of Trustees from 193 1 through 1955.

YSU Trustees are appointed by the Governor of Ohio, selected from the ranks of community leaders, businessmen, professionals, and other distinguished local citizens.