YSU STEM welcomes two new employees to the family: Dr. Alex Pesch, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Shawntae Burton, Outreach Coordinator for the Assured Digital Microelectronics Education and Training Ecosystem (ADMETE).

Dr. Alex Pesch

Dr. Alex Pesch is originally from Cleveland, OH. He attended Ohio University for his bachelor’s degree in engineering and Cleveland State University for his graduate work. Before coming to YSU, his first teaching experience was at Cleveland State University while he was a graduate student. After that, Dr. Pesch spent a few years teaching at Hofstra University in Long Island, NY.

Upon his hiring at YSU, Dr. Pesch was very happy to be able to return to his home in Northeastern Ohio. He is looking forward to engaging in hands-on education, conducting cutting-edge research in mechanical vibrations and controls, and getting involved in the community such as serving on committees and advising student organizations. Currently, Dr. Pesch is teaching Mechanical Vibrations Laboratory.

If any students want to meet Dr. Pesch, he is located at Moser Hall Room 2520 and his office hours are 12noon-2pm, MTW, and 1pm-2pm, F, and by appointment. You can contact him via email at ahpesch@ysu.edu or call him at 330.941.1731.

Shawntae Burton

Shawntae M. Burton has spent nearly a decade serving students and their communities with educational support. After graduating from Choffin Career and Technical Center and Woodrow Wilson High School, both from Youngstown, Ohio in 2002, she immediately began her pursuit of a Bachelor Degree at Kent State University. With financial and academic support she earned her Bachelor of Arts from Kent State University in 2006.

After the completion of her Bachelor Degree she worked in both the non-profit and the public sectors for approximately two years before she returned to Kent State University to earn a Master’s Degree in Education Administration. While earning her second degree she served as the Graduate Assistant for the EXECL Living Learning Community, Destination Kent State Academic Advising Summer and lastly the Science Living Learning Community. Having been awarded three separate and non-concurrent graduate appointments Ms. Burton was able to finish her graduate program in one year.

In 2010 she began working as the Academic Counselor with the Youngstown State University Upward Bound Office. It was there that she built relationships with amazing community partners such as OH WOW! The Roger & Gloria Children’s Center for Science & Technology, Mahoning and Columbiana Training Association (MCTA) and several others. In 2012, Ms. Burton began a new chapter of her life in the Carolinas. During that time she continued to serve students with the education and training that she received in Ohio as the Steele Creek Child Development Center After-School Coordinator, Clinton College Director of Student Support Services and the Winthrop University Student Support Services Academic Counselor.

In 2018 Ms. Burton returned to the place where her journey began, Youngstown Ohio and served as the Network Action Team Manager for Eastern Ohio Education Partnership (EOEP). It was during her time as this grant-funded position that she worked alongside of some of the most committed educators and academic leaders in our Valley to close the achievement gaps for students cradle to career. As the Assured Digital Microelectronics Education and Training Ecosystem (ADMETE) Outreach Coordinator Ms. Burton will use all of her resources to continue to build safe pathways for our students.

Anyone wishing to reach Ms. Burton can email her at smburton@ysu.edu or call 330.941.3566.