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YSU STEM dean is finalist for another job
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Abraham
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
Another high-level Youngstown State University official is in the running for a job at another university.
If Martin Abraham, founding dean of YSU’s College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, leaves to become executive vice president and provost at Northern Illinois University, he would be the fourth top-tier official at the university to leave this year.
Randy J. Dunn, the university’s eighth president, left last month after only eight months on the job to become president at Southern Illinois University. Gene Grilli, vice president for finance and administration, left for another job, and Ikram Khawaja, provost and vice president for academic affairs, who was appointed interim president after Dunn’s departure, retires June 30.
Abraham is one of four finalists for the NIU job and will visit the campus for interviews Wednesday and Thursday.
“The search consultant contacted me,” he said. “I looked at the opportunity and considered where it would put me in terms of my career and thought it was a good opportunity for me.”
Provost is a higher-level position. NIU, while a similar institution to YSU, is larger, more active in research, has more programs and is more highly ranked, he said.
Still, no decisions have been made.
“This is just an interview,” Abraham said. “There’s no commitment on their part and no commitment on my part. They have to determine if I’m a good fit for their needs, and I have to find out if it’s truly the right opportunity for me.”
Abraham also is considering the YSU provost position.
“YSU is also looking for a president and that is a position I intend to apply for,” he said. “I don’t know what the board of trustees is looking for in a presidential candidate, but it’s something I’m very interested in.”
Abraham also was a candidate for president last year when the trustees chose Dunn. He has been nominated for the YSU presidency in the latest search and plans to pursue it, he said.
Ron Cole, YSU spokesman, said Abraham told Khawaja that he was a finalist for the NIU job.
“People have opportunities and seek them just like they seek opportunities at YSU as well through the searches that we have going on,” Cole said.
Dr. Sudershan Garg, chairman of the YSU trustees, doesn’t view Abraham’s exploring other opportunities on the heels of others’ leaving as an indication that YSU administrators are unhappy.
“It’s not a question of being happy or unhappy,” he said. “Everyone wants to advance in life.”
Assistant professors want to be associate professors, and associate professors want to be professors, Garg said.
“This probably goes on at all universities,” he said. “It’s not unusual. He might even be applying for a high-level position at YSU.”
Garg said he would be sorry to see Abraham leave but understands if he’s found a better opportunity.
“He’s a good person, and he’s good for the STEM College,” he said. “I will feel bad if he leaves.”