New STEM dean to start in March

Wim F.A. Steelant, vice president of Research and dean of Science at St. Thomas University in Florida, is the new dean of the STEM College. The YSU Board of Trustees approved the appointment in December. Steelant will start March 16. “Wim brings a wealth of experience to YSU,” Provost Martin Abraham said. “We are looking forward to working with him as we continue to advance the college.” Steelant earned a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from St. Lieven College in Belgium, a master’s of Chemical Engineering from West-Brabant College in The Netherlands and a doctorate in Biomedicine/Biochemistry from the University of Amsterdam in The Netherlands. He was on the Chemistry faculty at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology and later named dean of Science at St. Thomas University. His resume boasts several academic awards, research funding for more than 20 projects totaling more than $6 million, and 35 peer-reviewed publications. He is fluent in four languages – English, French, Dutch and Flemish.