YSU’s future is in its STEM

By MARTIN ABRAHAM

Special to The Vindicator

Roughly two years ago, Chancellor Eric Fingerhut indicated that Youngstown State University needed to become an urban research university. Since that time, there’s been a lot of discussion about YSU’s transformation, how the university will change, and what it will look like when it emerges as an urban research university. I believe that it will look a lot like the current state of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics College, which in many respects already epitomizes the new YSU mission.

To start off, an urban research university must be engaged in the conduct of research, and the research must be related to our urban region. We have numerous examples of research partnerships with area companies. In our collaboration between our chemistry department and Fireline Inc., we have secured over $4 million to develop, test, and analyze a new material that has application for lightweight armor but can also be used as a brake rotor for cars. The new wind tunnel in our fluid mechanics laboratory is a tangible reminder of Northern States Metals need for YSU STEM College assistance in designing the aluminum racking system for solar panel rooftop installation. Our engineering faculty has assisted Summer Garden Foods in the construction of a state-of-the-art, LEED-certified manufacturing facility.

Each of these activities illustrates the relationship of STEM College faculty and students working with area companies for the creation of new technologies, job growth, and educational opportunities.

A key element of an urban research university is its graduate programs. As a STEM College, we bring the best assets of science and mathematics together with the applied focus of engineering. This manifests in many ways, but not the least is our proposal to create a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, what we expect to be the first research-oriented PhD program at YSU. The industrial community has recognized the value this program will bring to our region and supports us through participation in our proposal and service on our advisory board. The program recognizes the importance of industrial participation through a recommended industrial internship, an unusual element for a PhD program.

Economic development

As an urban research university, we are linked to the community in the development of its economic development goals, as well. We are working with the city of Warren, NorTech (a Cleveland area economic development group), and the Youngstown Business Incubator to design and initiate an alternative energy incubator in Warren. And we’re engaged with the city of Youngstown, the Regional Chamber, the local business community, and, again, with YBI to develop a proposal to the Ohio Department of Development that would designate our community as a Hub for Innovation and Opportunity in Advanced Materials. We’re reaching out in new ways to connect YSU’s STEM College with the technologically focused business community to bring new opportunities to the region. Our desire to work with these companies and our ability to provide high quality STEM graduates are all part of the equation that encourages companies like V&M Star and Revere Data to choose the Youngstown area for significant investment in our community.

But an urban research university has to be more than graduate programs and research. It also has to be about providing education for area students. For the better part of this year, we have had a team of faculty and staff working to enhance the opportunities for success of our incoming freshmen. We have an agreement that bridges the colleges of education, liberal arts and social sciences, and STEM, to integrate the remedial courses that we all teach and to create a cohort system for those students in those courses. This will increase the likelihood that area students will be successful in achieving their educational goals.

To get students better prepared before coming to YSU, we’re working with area school districts to teach college science and math in the high schools, using teachers trained at YSU. We’re working with school districts in Girard and Liberty to expand their STEM programs. And we’ve connected with the Children’s Center for Science and Technology to create a world class children’s science museum here in the Mahoning Valley, so that we continue to have students who desire a STEM education.

We’re finding new ways to make our college responsive to the needs of our students and the expectations of our community. That’s what an urban research university does. And that’s our mission in the STEM College.

Dr. Abraham is founding dean of YSU’s College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.