YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Mahoning Valley Young Professionals, in partnership with the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, announced its 2019 honorees for its 25 Under 35 Awards and among them was Joel Evans, instructor of marketing at the University of Mount Union. 

Previously known as the 40 Under 40 Awards, the program is in its 14th year of honoring the Mahoning Valley’s best and brightest young professionals for excellence in their professional field and commitment to their community. The honorees were recognized at an awards ceremony set for February 7 at Stambaugh Auditorium. Both the 25 honorees and top three are selected based upon professional and service categories by a committee of community leaders.

Evans earned both his bachelor's degree and Master of Business Administration from Youngstown State University. Together with his wife, they own Evans Photography LLC, where their mission is to create authentic memories with families who love deeply and live joyfully. Evans volunteers with the Regula Center for Public Service and Civic Engagement, serves as chair of the Faculty Development Committee, and is a member of the Sexual Misconduct Responders program at Mount Union. He lives in Hubbard with his wife, Jennifer, and their two children, Emily and Owen.