YSU plans to develop 4 Centers of Excellence

By Harold Gwin

State funding to help launch the centers was expected but now won’t be forthcoming.

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State University wants to develop Centers of Excellence in materials science and engineering, chemical biology, international business and the study of autism.

That’s the short list of proposed centers the university plans to submit to the Ohio Board of Regents for its approval under the state’s new 10-year Strategic Plan for Higher Education.

Under that plan, the Ohio chancellor of higher education is requiring all of Ohio’s public universities to pinpoint specific areas of study in which they excel or plan to excel.

The original version of the plan called for state funding to help develop those centers, but no money will be forthcoming in the new biennial budget now being put together in Columbus, David C. Sweet, YSU president, told the university’s board of trustees Tuesday.

The university will commit internal funds to help support the centers, he said, adding that state assistance may be six years away.

YSU put out an internal request last fall for center proposals to its faculty and deans and received 11 responses complete with projected budgets needed to implement them, said Ikram Khawaja, YSU provost.

Not all of them met the selection criteria, he said.

Three did: the Center of Excellence in Materials Science and Engineering, the Center for Applied Chemical Biology and the Williamson College of Business Administration Center of Excellence in International Business.

Khawaja said the fourth selected, the Rich Center of Excellence for the Study of Autism, was short on the research criteria component but was included because of the level of support it already enjoys (both statewide and regionally) and because it has significant potential for development.

The four have a combined implementation cost estimated at more than $60 million.

A series of review committees examined all of the proposals before selecting the four presented to the trustees, he said, adding that the list must go to the Board of Regents by June 30.

“This is an opportunity for Youngstown State University to develop a brand,” said Trustee H.S. Wang. Focusing on one or two areas of expertise can give the university a reputation for certain programs that will attract students, he said.

gwin@vindy.com

Youngstown State University is proposing that four areas of study be designated as Centers of Excellence under Ohio’s Strategic Plan for Higher Education. They are:

Center of Excellence in Materials Science and Engineering: The program has been building for years, culminating with a proposal for a doctoral degree and the awarding of several high-profile grants. The program is expected to play a significant role in economic development. Estimated implementation cost: $14,666,642.

Center for Applied Chemical Biology: A consolidation of two faculty research groups that would build on the already- strong biological chemistry and related fields. Those programs have already drawn significant external funding and collaboration with businesses. Estimated implementation cost: $41,428,874.

Williamson College of Business Administration Center of Excellence in International Business: International engagement is considered essential in modern business, and local engagement is important in terms of economic development. Estimated implementation cost: $1,624,158.

Rich Center of Excellence for the Study of Autism: The Rich Center is well-established but lacks a strong record of grant writing and overall research. It has the potential to become a national center of excellence in the academic field. Estimated implementation cost: $3,437,505.