YSU New dean at school of education

A former local schoolteacher and principal takes YSU's top education post.
By RON COLE
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Dr. Phil Ginnetti, a graduate of Struthers High School who began his career teaching sixth grade in Girard, is now the dean of Youngstown State University's education college.
Dr. Tony Atwater, YSU provost, made the appointment Monday, selecting Ginnetti from three finalists identified after a national search that drew 17 applicants.
"The competition was tough," said Dr. Richard McEwing, chairman of the search committee.
Ginnetti, who will start the new job July 1, has been assistant dean in YSU's education college for two years. He has worked at YSU since 1985, as a teacher and department chairman. Ginnetti's contract and salary have not been finalized, YSU said.
"This is an opportunity for me to give back to the community all that I have gained from YSU and the community," Ginnetti said in a news release.
Community support
McEwing said the search committee received very positive feedback about Ginnetti, especially from area school superintendents, principals and teachers.
"The community perceived him as a strong candidate," he said.
The education dean post has been vacant since Dr. Clara Jennings left YSU in July 2000. Joe Edwards has been interim dean since.
YSU also is close to hiring new deans in the arts and sciences college and the engineering college.
Deans are among the top academic administrators on campus and oversee the operations of YSU's six colleges. The recent turnover of deans at one time is the largest in recent memory at YSU, officials said.
With 1,840 students, the education college is the third largest college at YSU.
Ginnetti's career
Ginnetti received bachelor's and master's degrees from YSU and a doctorate in elementary education from the University of Akron.
He began his career in 1974 as a sixth-grade teacher at Summit Elementary School in Girard and was principal of North Avenue and Prospect elementary schools in Girard and Lordstown Elementary School before going to YSU.
The other finalists for the job were Dr. David J. Freitas, interim education dean at National-Louis University in Evanston, Ill., and Dr. Vincent Melograno, chairman of the department of health, physical education, recreation and dance at Cleveland State University.