YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Martin Abraham, founding dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics at Youngstown State University, has been named interim provost and vice president for academic affairs at YSU, pending official approval by the board of trustees at its Oct. 7 meeting.
YSU President Jim Tressel announced the appointment today after discussions with the trustees Tuesday afternoon. The appointment will become effective after the board’s approval.
“We believe that Dr. Abraham has the skills, the experience and the confidence of the campus and the community to fill this important role in leading our outstanding academic enterprise,” Tressel said.
Abraham will replace Teri Riley, who has been serving as interim provost since March, when Provost Ikram Khawaja became interim president. Khawaja has since retired.
The appointment comes after a national search for a new provost resulted in campus visits earlier this month by four finalists. Tressel said while each of the finalists were strong candidates for the position, he feels at this time that Abraham is the right person with the right experiences for these challenging times.
“I am gratified in the confidence President Tressel has placed in me, and will do my best to help YSU achieve the success that our community deserves,” Abraham said. “We have a great foundation on which to build, and I am looking forward to this opportunity.”
Abraham came to YSU in 2007 after 11 years at the University of Toledo, first as a professor of chemical and environmental engineering, then as associate dean of research and graduate studies in the College of Engineering and finally as dean of the College of Graduate Studies.
In the seven years since taking over the newly-formed STEM College, Abraham has advanced the college’s engagement in cutting-edge research and connections with the business and entrepreneurial communities.
Abraham is a member of boards of the Youngstown Business Incubator, OH WOW! Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology, VEC Inc., and Fireline. He has more than 70 refereed publications, nine books and editorships, dozens of other publications, more than 130 scholarly presentations, nearly 40 invited seminars and 35 sponsored research projects totaling several million dollars. He is a fellow of the American Chemical Society and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
Abraham was named Business Advocate of the Year in 2012 by the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.
SOURCE: YSU News Center