YSU trustee committees proposing rare engineering degree, new dean

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State University trustees committees approved creation of a new bachelor’s degree and appointment of a new dean.

On Wednesday, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee approved a bachelor of engineering in manufacturing engineering and the University Affairs Committee voted to hire Phyllis M. Paul, a University of Oregon professor, as dean of YSU’s College of Creative Arts and Communication.

Both actions must be approved by the full trustees board which is set to meet June 15.

Manufacturing engineering incorporates aspects of both mechanical and industrial engineering, according to materials presented to the board.

Darrell Wallace, associate professor in YSU’s mechanical and industrial engineering department, told committee members that manufacturing engineering is a relatively young discipline and only 20 institutions in the country offer such a degree.

With its location in the TechBelt and its close relationship with America Makes, YSU is uniquely positioned to establish the program, Wallace said.

The CCAC dean position has been vacant since the January 2015 resignation of Bryan DePoy who left to become the chief academic officer at Lake Erie College.

Read more about the plans in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.