YSU makes provost appointment permanent

YOUNGSTOWN — Dr. Ikram Khawaja is no longer the interim provost and vice president for academic affairs at Youngstown State University. The university’s Board of Trustees have made the appointment permanent.

Scott Schulick, chairman of the board’s Finance and Facilities Committee, said that YSU President Dr. David C. Sweet had requested that the board waive the university’s position search policy — which would have required a nationwide search before filling the post — and make Khawaja the official provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Sweet said later that Khawaja is clearly qualified for the job and deserved the appointment.

He had served in the interim position since August 2007 following the death of Provost Dr. Robert K. Herbert, who drowned in July 2007 while vacationing in Costa Rica.

Khawaja was a retired YSU professor, chair and college dean at the time.