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Trustees hire new YSU STEM dean
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown State University trustees hired a new STEM dean, approved a new student-housing development and expanded the faculty union retirement incentive to include employees with 20 years of service.
Trustees approved the resolutions at a meeting Wednesday.
Wim F.A. Steelant, founding vice president for research at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Fla., was hired as the dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. His annual salary is $170,000.
Joseph Mosca, dean of YSU’s Bitonte College of Health and Human Services, was a member of the search committee for the STEM dean.
“He has a strong research background,” he said.
Steelant, a native of Belgium, earned his bachelor’s degree in that country, his master’s and doctorate in The Netherlands and his postdoctoral degree from the University of Washington in Seattle.
He is fluent in Dutch, Flemish, English and French, according to his resume.
He replaces Martin Abraham, the founding dean of YSU’s STEM College, who was promoted to provost and vice president for academic affairs.
Trustees also authorized the lease of nearly 2 acres between Lincoln and Wick avenues to an Akron company for a $10 million retail/student-housing complex.
LRC Realty plans one floor of retail space with the top four floors as student housing. Details such as the amount of the lease have to be worked out and approved by the Ohio Department of Administrative Services since the university is a state institution.
The panel also approved expanding the retirement incentive to members of the YSU-Ohio Education Association, the faculty union, from those with 25 years to those with 20 years of service.