Almost exactly one year ago, faculty and students were bitterly at odds with the Youngstown State University trustees over the secret process to hire Bill Johnson as president.

Now, the administration is looking to strike a new tone and shore up the future of YSU for years to come.

On Wednesday, president Bill Johnson, the board of trustees and academic leaders met at Tod Hall, during a Governance Committee meeting to go over a plan that would see the university withstand a nationwide trend of decreasing attendance.

Academic leaders tell 21 News, they had been working on that plan for years.

"As we moved down the path with that plan, we realized that we needed a few other things.", said Jennifer Pintar, provost at Youngstown State. An academic master plan to get the faculty on board with the vision and a strategic enrollment plan to make that vision happen. 

"So we developed a plan to go after students with some college credit but no degree.", Pintar added, with an online program meeting those students where they are. They'll also be targeting active military members who want to move up through the ranks.

"We also took a look at how many students are looking for shorter bursts of education.", she explained, shorter meaning 7-week semesters offered multiple times throughout the year, instead of the traditional 15-16 week courses.

Dr. Mike Sherman pointed to the increase in international students from countries like Vietnam that have become hotspots for YSU, hoping to employ those same tactics in other countries, but also here in the states.

"Through these hotspots, targeting where alumni groups are because if we can recruit one of two from out of state, we can get 7,8,9,10 more.", Sherman, the vice president for student affairs, added.

Dr, Sherman emphasized that hope is not a plan, and that's why leaders have been working to make sure that no stone is left unturned.