43
New degree approved by YSU trustees committee
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown State University trustees committee 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.
Wallace told trustees that manufacturing accounts for the second highest number of regional jobs and is the largest contributor to regional payrolls.
He said it would be the goal for YSU to be the “go-to” university for students to pursue the degree.
If approved by the full trustee board, the degree has to be approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education. As long as it wins those approvals, students could begin pursuing the degree at YSU this fall.
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.
If approved by the board of trustees, Paul, who was selected after a national search, will begin her YSU duties July 1. Her annual salary would be $145,000.
She has been associate dean and director of graduate and undergraduate students and served as associate professor of music education at University of Oregon since 2009.
She earned her doctor of philosophy, certificate in music special education, and a master of music, both from Florida State University in Tallahassee. Paul earned her bachelor of music from Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, N.C.