Issuu

ANNUAL

REPORT 2025-2026

contents Producing Leaders That Will Solve Tomorrow’s Engineering Challenges

Welcome from Department Head Featured Research 02 Tish Pohl’s Retirement

Department News Faculty Fellows Active Grants Featured Publications

07 09 10 11

Undergraduate News 14 Capstone Symposium & Student Awards Banquet Graduate News

19 MSOM/MSEM Program Overview Alumni Highlights 25 AAIE Highlights

Partner with Industrial Engineering Our Faculty

Welcome from Department Head It is a pleasure to share the latest annual report from the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Arkansas. We celebrated one of the largest graduating classes in our department’s history, with more than 75 students earning degrees through our Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and Operations Analytics program. We are proud to send these graduates into the world prepared to improve complex systems, lead organizations, and address challenges that matter to Arkansas and beyond. As technologies such as artificial intelligence reshape the workplace, our department is forging ahead. With AI-related research, teaching techniques, and leadership of the university’s AI Task Force our department is advancing the responsible use of AI in teaching, research, and campus operations.

CHASE RAINWATER, PH.D.

We renovated the David and Nancy Foust Student Study Center to better serve our Professor & Dept. Head students. Formerly configured primarily as a computer lab, the redesigned room now combines space to connect with each other or relax in between classes with spaces for studying and group work. Comfortable seating and amenities such as a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker have transformed the lab into a flexible, welcoming space where students can work and build community. During the academic year, the department awarded more than $250,000 in scholarships. A significant portion of this support came from our distinguished alumni group, the Arkansas Academy of Industrial Engineers, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this spring. The Academy’s 40th anniversary banquet offered an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of the generations of industrial engineering alumni who continue to invest their time, experience, and resources in the department’s future. We are deeply grateful for their partnership. The accomplishments of our faculty continue to bring distinction to the department. Professor Haitao Liao was recognized among the world’s most-cited researchers, reflecting the reach and influence of his scholarship. University Professor Richard Cassady is the recipient of the 2025 Dr. John and Mrs. Lois Imhoff Award for Outstanding Teaching and Student Mentorship, a deeply meaningful recognition embedded in the department's founding legacy of educational excellence. An Industrial Engineering alumnus was recently named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list. Karlton Haney, a 2020 BSIE graduate, snagged a spot on the Venture Capitalists list as co-founder and managing partner of Meridian Ventures. Karlton manages a $35 million venture fund, which proves that an Industrial Engineering education creates a wide array of possibilities! These milestones represent only part of our story. Throughout this report, you will find examples of students learning through experience, faculty advancing knowledge, and alumni making an impact across industries and communities. Thank you for being part of the Department of Industrial Engineering community. I am proud of what we have accomplished and even more excited about what lies ahead.

Professor and Department Head

2025-2026 Annual Report

Featured Research ARKANSAS SMART TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH INCUBATOR THROUGH DATA ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE (AR-STRIDES)

Dr. Heather Nachtmann is Associate Department Head, the Earl J. and Lillian P. Dyess Endowed Chair in Engineering and a Professor of Industrial Engineering at the University of Arkansas. She serves as the Director of the Maritime Transportation Research and Education Center and the Mack-Blackwell Transportation Center. She received her PhD in Industrial Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.

Next generation transportation and logistics systems include those that are autonomous, electrified, interconnected, and shared. These systems are transforming traditional supply chains. In order to be ready to respond to this rapidly changing sector, investments in research are critical. AR-STRIDES is the first National Science Foundation ERISE grant awarded in the state of Arkansas. Through this investment we will advance economic competitiveness in Arkansas through statewide network building, use-inspired research, and coordinated workforce development related to data-driven supply chain technologies and data analytics solutions for

next generation transportation and logistics. Project partners include the University of Arkansas, Arkansas State University, Southern Arkansas University, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and North Arkansas College. Central to the incubator's success are key elements focused on building a statewide network of individuals, institutions, and organizations across Arkansas to advance these technologies, alongside fostering collaborative engagement across different institution types and sectors. Furthermore, AR-STRIDES prioritizes the development of a data science and analytics-skilled workforce to meet the future demands of transportation and logistics systems employers throughout the state.

AR-STRIDES Industry-Government-University Roundtable

Industrial Engineering I University of Arkansas

Featured Research The roundtable, held June 11, 2026, at the CSCMP Supply Chain Hall of Fame in Rogers, was designed and facilitated by the Supply Chain Management Research Center within the J.B. Hunt Transport Department of Supply Chain Management in the Sam M. Walton College of Business. The forum gathered expert insights that will guide future AR-STRIDES research initiatives, industry needs reports, workforce development programs and partnerships. Useinspired integration activities fostered collaboration among industry, government and academic stakeholders. Additionally, the ARSTRIDES research team identified opportunities where data science, analytics, engineering and supply chain expertise can address real-world transportation and logistics challenges. Industry and government representation included: Sam's Club, Walmart, J.B. Hunt, ArcBest, Tyson Foods, Uber Freight, Danone North America, Simmons Foods, WATCO Logistics, Maersk, Northwest Arkansas Feeding America Food Bank, Arkansas Department of Transportation, Arkansas & Missouri Railroad, Beaver Water District, Western Arkansas Planning and Development District, the Port of Little Rock, Emery Sapp & Sons, and Burns & McDonnell. AR-STRIDES researchers from academic institutions included the U of A, Arkansas State University, Southern Arkansas University, U of A NorthArk and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

2025-2026 Annual Report

Transportation and logistics play a vital role in Arkansas' economy, supporting industries ranging from retail and manufacturing to agriculture and freight transportation. As supply chains become increasingly data-driven and technology-enabled, organizers said the discussions will help identify opportunities where research and innovation can create practical value for Arkansas businesses, public agencies and communities. "Learning from world-class transportation and logistics leaders enables our team to develop use-inspired solutions to their data-driven challenges. Integrating industry insights into our research and workforce development activities will allow AR-STRIDES to enhance the research competitiveness of Arkansas," said Heather Nachtmann, Ph.D. Participants discussed topics ranging from artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to infrastructure planning, freight movement and workforce development. Organizers said insights from the roundtable will help guide future AR-STRIDES activities and strengthen collaboration among researchers, industry leaders and public agencies. Industry leaders can help university researchers stay connected to the real-world challenges that will shape the future. In supply chain especially, industry is often focused on solving customer-facing problems while also preparing for the infrastructure, technology and talent needs ahead.

Featured Research CONTESTED LOGISTICS RESEARCH

Dr. Rob Curry is Assistant Professor of Industrial Engineeering. His research involves methodology for modeling and solving large-scale network optimization models having applications in defense settings, sensor networks, and cyberphysical infrastructure settings. His work has been published in high-quality journals, such as IISE Transactions, Networks and Naval Research Logistics, and he has been sponsored by the Office of Naval Research.

Dr. Rob Curry and his team of research assistants are advancing contested logistics through mathematical optimization, data analytics, and decisionsupport tools. His research examines how military and humanitarian logistics systems can continue operating when transportation networks are disrupted, information is incomplete or manipulated, threats are uncertain, and critical resources are limited. Across three sponsored projects, Dr. Curry’s team

Soldiers from 325th Brigade Support Battalion, 25th Infantry Division, load cargo and military vehicles on board the 8th Theater Sustainment Command's Logistic Support Vessel-2, the U.S. Army Vessel CW3 Harold A. Clinger, at Ford Island, Hawaii. Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. John C Garver "The appearance of U.S. Department of War (DoW) visual information does not imply or constitute DoW endorsement."

studies resilient supply positioning in the Pacific, protection of logistics networks through sensing and information strategies, and defense of high-value vessels moving through contested maritime chokepoints. Together, these projects connect foundational operations research with practical challenges in military readiness, humanitarian response, and global supply-chain resilience. Project 1: Data-Driven Prepositioning for Humanitarian Response in the Pacific Ocean Funded by the Chief Data Office at U.S. Army Pacific and the Operations Research Center at the United States Military Academy. Led by Dr. Robert Curry with PhD student LTC Clay Woody. The project addresses contested logistics in the Pacific, where natural disasters and adversarial activity may disrupt transportation networks, restrict access to key locations, and complicate the delivery of humanitarian supplies. By developing a decision-support framework for selecting prepositioned supply locations, routing critical resources across many possible disaster and logistics conditions is possible. Additionally, it is critical to balance immediate humanitarian demand with the need to preserve safety stock, transportation capacity, and military readiness for future operations. Through the identification of supply locations and distribution routes that perform reliably across multiple plausible disruptions, the project supports resilient and risk-informed theater logistics planning. Industrial Engineering I University of Arkansas

Featured Research Project 2: The Role of Information in Protecting Contested Networks Funded by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research through the DEPSCoR program. Led by Dr. Haoming Shen and Dr. Robert Curry, working with PhD student Md Sazid Rahman. In order to address contested logistics settings in which defenders must move personnel or supplies through complex networks while facing uncertain disruptions, adversarial interference, and incomplete information this project is currently developing optimization methods for positioning sensors, drones, and other monitoring resources to detect threats and reveal the most valuable information before logistics decisions are made. The team is examining how defensive deception and deliberately altered information can redirect adversaries away from critical routes, facilities, and transportation assets. This work advances new multi-level optimization theory and algorithms for protecting logistics networks when defenders, attackers, and operators possess different information and make sequential decisions.

Soldiers In Military Control Center Monitor Maps On Computer Screens.

2025-2026 Annual Report

Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, Shipping Lanes and Trade Routes Concept Showing Navigation and Logistics

Project 3: Optimizing Maritime Escort Strategies in Contested Waters Funded through the Maritime Transportation Research and Education Center, with support from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s University Transportation Centers Program. Led by Dr. Rob Curry and Dr. Kelly Sullivan with Masters graduate Shantonu Mitra. The focus for this project is studying how highvalue military and commercial vessels can move through chokepoints and coastal shipping lanes exposed to missiles, unmanned systems, mines, and other threats safely. The team is determining how limited escort ships, detection systems, and defensive capabilities should be assigned when planners do not know in advance which threats will appear, where they will occur, or which vessels they will target. This project integrates strategic resource allocation with operational threat response to maximize the expected survivability of vessels carrying critical cargo or serving important military missions. Through the development of scalable computational methods for realistic maritimedefense problems we are providing graduate students with applied research experience involving Navy subject-matter experts. 5

A Legacy of care: Celebrating Dr. Tish Pohl Great educators do more than teach course material, they shape futures, build community, and leave an indelible mark on the institution they serve. Dr. Tish Pohl embodied this standard. Through her research contributions and deep commitment to student success, Dr. Pohl has exemplified what it truly means to serve both the academic world and the human beings within it. Throughout her tenure, Dr. Pohl seamlessly balanced the rigors of administrative and professional leadership. Her work in logistics, material handling, and systems optimization continues to contribute meaningfully to the field. Her paper co-authored with M. Tutam, "Performance analysis for a dual-crane automated storage and retrieval system" (published in the European Journal of Industrial Engineering), highlighted her ongoing dedication to solving complex engineering challenges through practical analytical modeling. Beyond her research, Dr. Pohl’s leadership has extended across national engineering organizations. From 2018 through 2023, she served as Director for the Industrial Engineering Division of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), helping shape dialogue, curriculum, and best practices for engineering educators across the country. Dr. Pohl’s true legacy lives in the classrooms, advising offices, and hallways where she interacted with students every day. Over her career, she has guided and advised hundreds of students, navigating them through complex degree paths, career decisions, and the personal transitions that come with college life. 6

Dr. Tish Pohl

It is no surprise that her institutional honors reflect this dedication. In 2017, she was named the Academic Advisor of the Year by the University of Arkansas Academic Advising Council, and that same year, she was inducted as a Fellow of the University of Arkansas Teaching Academy. This recognition is reserved for faculty who demonstrate exceptional quality in teaching and educational leadership. Dr. Pohl reminds us that engineering education isn't just about formulas, efficiency, and optimization; it is ultimately about the people who design, run, and lead those systems. To Dr. Tish Pohl: thank you for your unwavering commitment, your countless hours of mentorship, and the brilliant standard of care you’ve set for our entire community. Industrial Engineering I University of Arkansas

Department News Faculty Awards "I am deeply honored to have been selected as a MORS Fellow." "It is extremely humbling to have my name appear alongside many of the leaders and pioneers in Military Operations Research." Ed. Pohl Dr. Pohl, Dean of the Graduate School

The award recipient is chosen from three finalists selected by a committee within the Teaching Academy. Past Imhoff Award recipients can be viewed on the Teaching Academy website.

and International Education

Ed Pohl, Dean of the Graduate School and International Education, was recently inducted as a fellow of the Military Operations Research Society (MORS), one of the society's highest honors. Pohl was inducted as the 89th Fellow in the history of the society at the 94th annual MORS Symposium held June 9-13, themed "Sharpening Our Analytical Edge." At the 94th MORS Symposium, the organization continued its mission of fostering innovation, collaboration. The University of Arkansas Teaching Academy recently recognized the 2025 Dr. John and Mrs. Lois Imhoff Award honorees for Outstanding Teaching and Student Mentorship at a ceremony held on Dec. 1, 2025. The winner was Richard Cassady of the Department of Industrial Engineering. To be considered for the award, a faculty member must be nominated by their peers and endorsed by a member of the Teaching Academy, teach an introductory course and be recognized for mentoring students. 2025-2026 Annual Report

From left to right: Vice Provost Anna Zajicek, University Professor Richard Cassady, Provost Indrajeet Chaubey. Photo by Whit Pruitt.

The University of Arkansas honored outstanding faculty members at the 2025 Faculty Teaching Awards Reception, held on Sept. 23. The event, co-sponsored by the Wally Cordes Teaching and Faculty Support Center (TFSC) and the U of A Teaching Academy, recognized faculty achievements in teaching, mentorship and professional development. The reception also celebrated the leadership of Richard Cassady, who concluded his term as TFSC co-director (2022–2025). Cassady, a faculty member in industrial engineering, was recognized for his innovative contributions to faculty development and his dedicated service to the teaching community. His leadership helped expand TFSC programming and foster a culture of collaboration and excellence in teaching.

Department News The program also recognized faculty who received awards or recognition during the 2024-25 academic year and presented certificates to faculty who completed one of two TFSC commendations. Dr. David Paulus, Professor of Practice Dr. David Paulus, and Director of MSOM was Professor of Practice and Director of MSOM awarded TFSC Lori Libbert New Faculty Commendation.

Brandon Crisel, Advanced Instructor of Industrial Engineering pictured with the “2026 Backbreaker Award”

The TFSC Faculty Commendation for Teaching Development honors faculty with more than two years of service who have demonstrated a personal commitment to their development

as teachers through participation in TFSC events. This honor was awarded to Brandon Crisel, Advanced Instructor of Industrial Engineering. This year we celebrated the creation of the William R. (Bill) McKamey and Patsy McKamey Endowed Undergraduate Teaching Support Program, a major milestone for the Department of Industrial Engineering. Funded by alumni Bill and Pat McKamey, the $1 million planned gift will enhance student success by providing critical teaching support for undergraduate courses. 8

“We are tremendously thankful to Bill and Pat McKamey for their commitment to our students’ success,” said Chancellor Charles Robinson. “Their generosity ensures more engineering students will receive individualized support to stay on course and graduate ready to begin their dream careers. This gift will make a lasting difference for generations of students, communities and industries across Arkansas and beyond.”

Pat and Bill McKamey

This endowed program will provide the department with resources to hire, retain and train teaching assistants to support undergraduate-level courses. “We are grateful for Bill and Pat’s commitment to our students,” said Chase Rainwater, Industrial Engineering Department head. “Their generous support will enable us to sustain expanded learning support both inside and outside of our classrooms. This gift is a key contributor to the department’s overall student success space enhancement initiative.” The McKameys’ gift represents their personal commitment to ensuring future generations of engineers have the support they need as they work toward earning their degrees. Industrial Engineering I University of Arkansas

FACULTY FELLOWS The title Fellow is used to describe the highest level of membership in most professional societies. Requirements to achieve the level of Fellow vary among organizations. Fellows are typically nominated by other Fellows, have demonstrated exceptional achievement in their field and devoted service to the organization. The Industrial Engineering Department proudly recognizes faculty who have achieved this prestigious status. American Society for Engineering Education Kim Needy

Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences Greg Parnell

American Society for Engineering Management Edward A. Pohl Kim Needy Heather Nachtmann

International Council on Systems Engineering Greg Parnell

Arkansas Research Alliance Heather Nachtmann

Lean Systems Society Greg Parnell

Institute of Engineering & Technology Karl D. Schubert Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers Kim Needy Richard Cassady Edward A. Pohl Sandra Ekşioğlu Chase Rainwater Haitao Liao Heather Nachtmann Manuel Rossetti

Military Operations Research Society Greg Parnell Edward A. Pohl Society for Decision Professionals Greg Parnell Society of Reliability Engineers Richard Cassady Edward A. Pohl

Active Grants Curry, R. “Employing Mixed-integer Programming Methods in Contested Logistics for the United States Army”, Sponsored by U.S. Army Contracting Command, $150,000. (2025-2027)

Shen, H., Curry, R. “On the Role of Information for Optimal Network Protection”, Sponsored by U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research, $588,669. (20252028)

Curry, R. “Mixed-Integer Programming Methods”, Sponsored by U.S. Office of Naval Research”, $39,928. (2025-2026)

Hernandez, S. and J. R. Chimka, “Seat Belt Use Observation”, Sponsored by Arkansas State Police, $236,068 (2025-2027)

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aCTIVE gRANTS Chimka, J.R., “JB Hunt Innovation Center of Excellence,” Sponsored by J.B. Hunt Transport Inc., Industry, $623,676 (2023-2027)

Cothern, J.D., C. E. Rainwater, “Photogrammetry Services,” Sponsored by Sandia National Laboratories, Federal, $2,940,000 (2020-2026)

Hernandez, S., Chimka, J. “Seat Belt, Motorcycle Helmet & Child Restraint Survey”, Sponsored by Arkansas State Police, $638,575. (2019-2025)

Cothren, J. D., C. E. Rainwater, H. L. Nachtmann, A. R. Milburn, A. Zajicek, D. J. Adams, J. R. Chimka, J. Zhan, K. Luu, H. Liao, L. Zhang, Q. Li, X. Liu, K. D. Schubert, S. Zhang, T. H. N. Le, X. Wu, X. Liu, S. Yang, Z. Sha, “EPSCoR Track 1 Data Science | Data Analytics that are Robust and Trusted (DART): From Smart Curation to Socially Aware Decision Making,” Sponsored by Arkansas Economic Development Commission, State, $679,842 year 5. (2020 – 2025)

Liao, H., E. A. Pohl, X. Liu, Y. Zhao, R. A. McCann and X. Wu, “RII Track-2 FEC: Artificial Intelligence on Sustainable Energy Infrastructure Network (AI SUSTEIN) and Beyond towards Industries of the Future,” Sponsored by National Science Foundation, Federal, $1,450,003 (2021 – 2026) Braham, A. F., Murray, C. Wood, C. M., Liao, H., Hernandez, S. “Southern Plains Transportation Center (SPTC)”, Sponsored by US Department of Transportation (DOT), $1,088,554. (2023-2027) Nachtmann, H. L. “ARA Fellow”, Sponsored by Arkansas Research Alliance, $75,000. (2023-2026) Nachtman, H. L., Hill, B., Cothren, J., Gabaldon, J., Chimka, J. R., Luu, K., Le, N., Hernandez, S. “E-RISE Rll: AR STRIDES”, Sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF), $7,000,000. (2025-2029) Nachtmann, H. L., M. Barry, S. William, Chimka, J. Curry, R. Liao, H. Sullivan, K. Zhang, S.“Maritime Transportation Research and Education Center (MarTREC),” Sponsored by Department of Transportation, Federal, $15,000,000 (2023-2029) Nachtmann, H. L., Sullivan, K., Ham, R. “Soft Target Protection Against Unmanned Aerial System Threats”, Sponsored by U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, $1,250,000. (2025-2028) Pohl, E. A., K. M. Sullivan and H. Liao, “IAC MAC AFIT STAT COE,” Sponsored by US Department of Defense, $98,047. (2025-2028) Pohl, E., Soto, E., Subbiah, J., Greco, L. “Type I: University of Arkansas I-Corps Commercialization STEP”, Sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF), $294,888. (20172025) Rainwater, C. E., Fugate, B. S., Parnell, G. S., Chimka, J.R., Mervin, J. McGee, P. J., Gauch, S. E., Wu, X. “JB Hunt Innovation Center of Excellence”, Sponsored by J.B. Hunt Transport Inc. $2,348,719. (2017-2025)

Rainwater, C. E., Gunderman, A., Le, Ngan. “Smart Robotics Arm for Packaging”, Sponsored by Arkansas Research Alliance, $104,989. (2025-2026) Di, J., Mantooth, A., Panda, B. N., Rainwater, C. E., Thompson, D. R. “Cyber-Centric Multidisciplinary Security Workforce Development,” Sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF), $4,634,626. (2019 – 2027) Adkins, M. M., Rainwater, C. E., Thompson, J., Gibson, K. E., Le, N. “NSF Convergence Accelerator Track J. Phase 2: Cultivate IQ - Empowering Regional Food Systems”, Sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF), $4,998,818. (2023-2026) Adkins, M. M., Rainwater, C., Le, N. “Convergence Accelerator, Track J: Data-driven Agriculture to Bridge Small Farms to Regional Food Supply Chains”, Sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF), $743,651. (2022-2025) Gunderman, A. Rainwater, C. E., Le, N. “P.I.C. M.E. Precision Inspection for Crop Management and Evaluation of Fruit”, Sponsored by Arkansas Research Alliance, $75,000. (2025-2026) Rossetti, M. D., B. W. Hill, E. A. Pohl, R. L. Turner, X. Wu, A. J. Alverson, W. Chaovalitwongse, C. T. Harris, C. R. Cassady, W. F. Limp, J. R. Tipton, R. R. Rao and W. -J. Lo, “Multidisciplinary Data Science (MDaS) to Better Prepare STEM Students with Emerging Data Science Skills,” Sponsored by National Science Foundation, Federal, $1,000,000. (2019 – 2025)

Industrial Engineering I University of Arkansas

aCTIVE gRANTS Rossetti, M. “Cochineal Insect Pilot & Commercial Facility”, Sponsored by Red Wing Technologies Inc., $54,907. (2025-2026)

Schubert, K. “Seed Funding - NSF EPSCoR DART Education Theme: STEM Prep”, Sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF), $47,904. (2024-2026)

Rossetti, M. “Center for Excellence in Logistics and Distribution (CELDi) membership”, Sponsored by Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), $465,249. (2024-2027)

Shen, H. “Collaborative Proposal: Value of Data in Stochastic Integer Programming”, Sponsored by U.S. Office of Naval Research, $268,421. (2025-2028)

Schubert, K., Popp, J., Hancox, L. M., Carter III, T. “Closing America's STEM Innovation Gap through Collaboration with Industry (INNOV)”, Sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF), $941,348. (20212027)

Zhang, S. “Enhancing Prediction of Cardiovascular Toxicity in Breast Cancer Survivors”, Sponsored by University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), $57,222. (2024-2026)

Schubert, K., Schoultz, L. “Seed Funding - NSF EPSCoR DART Education Theme”, Sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF), $14,277. (2024-2025)

Wu, X. Zhang, L. Zhang, S. “Privacy Preserving & Fairness Aware Health Machine Data Analysis”, Sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF), $200,000. (2019-2025)

Featured Publications In 2025, the faculty of the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Arkansas contributed to 3 book chapters, 25 journal articles and 10 other refereed publications and proceedings. The principal investigators are indicated in bold.

Refereed Journal Articles

Book Chapters

Ekşioğlu, Sandra

Ekşioğlu, S.D. “Inventory Management in Supply Chains.” In Encyclopedia in Optimization, P.M. Pardalos and O.A. Prokopyev (eds), Springer Nature, 2025. Uhorchak, N., B. Ekşioğlu, R. Proano, S.D. Ekşioğlu, F. Cengil “Vaccine Tender Scheduling and Procurement: A Taxonomic Review,” In Encyclopedia in Operations Management, Rajendran et al (eds.), Elsevier, 2025. Rossetti, M. D. Chapter 10 Experimental Design and Simulation Optimization Methods. Simulation Modeling using the Kotlin Simulation Library (KSL). 2025.

2025-2026 Annual Report

Curry, Rob Nixon, T.; Curry, R.; Allaissem, P. “Mixed-integer programming models and heuristic algorithms for the maximum value dynamic network flow scheduling problem.” Computers and Operations Research. (2025): Vol. 175, 106897.

Bhurtyal, S.; Bui, H.; Hernandez, S.; Ekşioğlu, S.; Asborno, M.; Mitchell, K.; Kress, M. “Prediction of Waterborne Freight Activity with Automatic Identification System using Machine Learning.” Computers and Industrial Engineering. (2025): Vol. 200, 110757. Bui, H.; Ekşioğlu, S.D.; Proano, R.; Nurre-Pinkley, S. “An Analysis of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in the U.S.” IISE Transactions. (2025): Vol. 57, Issue 3, 246-260. Cengil, F.; Nagarajan, H.; Bent, R.; Ekşioğlu, B.; Ekşioğlu, S.D. “Learning to Accelerate Tightening of Convex Relaxations of the AC Optimal Power Flow Problem.” Computational Optimization and Applications. (2025): Vol. 92, Issue 3, 761-786. 11

FEATURED pUBLICATIONS Tasnim, Z.; Chen, Q.; Xia, Y.; Ekşioğlu, S.D. “Predicting the evolution of biomass bulk density through feedstock preprocessing: discrete element modeling, regression analysis, and pilot-scale validation.” Biomass and Bioenergy. (2025): Vol. 202, 108236. Ekşioğlu, S.D.; Zou, M. “A Non-Linear Optimization Model to Control Real Area of Contact in Surface Texture Design.” Lubricants. (2025): Vol. 13, Issue 4, 163.

Liao, Haitao

Shi, G.; Zhang, X.; Zeng, J.; Liao, H.; Gan, J.; Wang, J.; Wang, Z. “A Predictive Maintenance Framework Based on Real-Time Credibility Evaluation of Remaining Useful Life Prediction Results.” Reliability Engineering & System Safety. (2025): Vol. 264, 111342.

Milburn, Ashlea Heier Stamm, J. L.; Milburn, A. B. “Sense of Belonging in the Industrial Engineering Classroom.” INFORMS Transactions on Education. (2025): Vol. 26, Issue 2, 134147.

Duran, E.; Tran, M.; Massey, M.; Gracia, A.; Hanyu, T.; Tran, A.; McCann, R.; Liao, H.; Cothren, J. D.; Adkins, M.; Rainwater, C.; Huang, Y.; Mantooth, H. A.; Le, T. H. N. “SolarFormer++: Multi-scale Transformer for Solar PV Profiling and Obstruction Localization for Degradation Mitigation.” IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications. (2025): Vol. 61, Issue 6, 9575-9591.

Nachtmann, Heather

Tran, M.; de Luis, A.; Liao, H.; Huang, Y.; McCann, R. A.; Mantooth, H. A.; Cothren, J. D.; Le, N. “S3Former: A Deep Learning Approach to High Resolution Solar PV Profiling.” IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid. (2025): Vol. 16, Issue 3, 22611-2623.

Bu, F.; Nachtmann, H. L. “Forecasting Inland Waterway Container on Barge Volume: A Machine Learning Approach using Economic Features.” Applied Artificial Intelligence. (2025): Vol. 39, Issue 1, e2550462 e2550462-20.

Wei, Y.; Cheng, Y.; Liao, H. “A Quantitative Maintenance Policy Development Framework for a Fleet of SelfService Systems.” Naval Research Logistics. (2025): Vol. 72, Issue 5, 750–767. Wei, Y.; Cheng, Y.; Liao, H. “Fleet Service Reliability Analysis of Self-Service Systems under Failure-Induced Demand Switching and a Two-Dimensional Inspection and Maintenance Policy.” IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering. (2025): Vol. 22, 10029–10044. Yang, K.; Tan, M.; Liao, H.; Azucena, J.; Yuan, J.; Ham, R. G. “An Attention-Enhanced YOLOv8 Architecture for Leakage Detection in Building Systems.” Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities. (2025): Vol. 39, Issue 6, 04025058. Ruiz, C.; Liao, H.; Pohl, E. A. “Generalized Functional Mixed Models for Accelerated Degradation-Based Reliability Analysis.” IEEE Transactions on Reliability. (2025): Vol. 74, Issue 3, 4361–4372.

Kirac, E.; Milburn, A. B.; Gedik, R. “The Dynamic Team Orienteering Problem.” European Journal of Operational Research. (2025): Vol. 324, Issue 1, 22-39.

Parnell, Greg Parnell, G. S.; Curry, R.; Specking, E. “An All-Hazards Return on Investment (ROI) Model to Evaluate U.S. Army Installation Resilient Strategies.” Systems. (2025): Vol. 13, Issue 2, 90. Parnell, G. S.; Kenley, C. R.; Clark, D.; Smith, J.; Salvatore, F.; Nwobodo, C.; Davis, S. “Decision Analysis Data Model for Digital Engineering Decision Management.” Systems. (2025): Vol. 13, Issue 7, 596. Willox, M.; Parnell, G. S.; Specking, E.; Pohl, E.; Salter, R. C.; Mitchell, M. M.; Staebell, K. A. “Assessment of Structures and Systems for Enterprise Trade-Offs (ASSET).” Engineering Management Journal. (2025): 1-14.

Paulus, David Paulus, D. C.; Paulus, L. D.; Paulus, E. C. “Low-Cost Rehabilitation Exercise Safety Device for Enhanced Accessibility.” Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation. (2025): Vol. 61, Issue 1, 23-32. Industrial Engineering I University of Arkansas

FEATURED pUBLICATIONS Rainwater, Chase

Liao, Haitao

Tran, A.; Tran, M.; Marti, E.; Cothren, J.; Rainwater, C.; Ekşioğlu, S.D.; Le, N. “Land8Fire: A Complete Study on Wildfire Segmentation Through Comprehensive Review, Human-Annotated Multispectral Dataset, and Extensive Benchmarking.” Remote Sensing. (2025): Vol. 17, Issue 16, 2776.

Liao, H.; Karimi, S.; Yang, K.; Fan, N. “Analysis of Censored Aggregate Failure Time Data Using Phase-type Distributions.” Proceedings of the 71st Annual Reliability and Maintainability Symposium, Miramar Beach, FL, January, 2025.

Sullivan, Kelly Lopes da Silva, D. B.; Sullivan, K. M. “An OptimizationBased Monte Carlo Method for Estimating the TwoTerminal Survival Signature of Networks with Two Component Classes Remote Sensing.” Naval Research Logistics. (2025): Vol. 72, Issue 2, 169–186.. Sullivan, K. M.; Milburn, A. “Optimizing Transportation and Equity in a District Zoning Problem for ORville Public Schools.” INFORMS Transactions on Education. (2025): Vol. 26, Issue 1, 1-7.

Shen, Haoming Shen, H.; Jiang, R. “Convex Chance-Constrained Programs with Wasserstein Ambiguity.” Operations Research. (2025): Vol. 73, Issue 4, 1723-2295.

Zhang, Shengfan Dillard, R.; Zhang, S.; Murray, C. “Effects of Magnesium Phosphate Cement Proportions on Paste Properties.” Magazine of Concrete Research. (2025): Vol. 77, Issue 910, 508–524.

Conference Proceedings Cassady, Richard Cassady, C.R. “The Industrial Engineering and Operations Analytics Capstone Experience at the University of Arkansas.” Proceedings of the 2025 ASEE Midwest Section Conference, Fayetteville, AR, September 2025. Cassady, C.R. “And Operations Analytics: A New Undergraduate Industrial Engineering Curriculum.” Proceedings of the 2025 ASEE Midwest Section Conference, Fayetteville, AR, September 2025.

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Kumar, N.; Liao, H.; Azucena, J.; Pohl, E. A. “Modeling the Impact of Corrosion Orientation and Location on Pipeline Reliability.” Proceedings of the 71st Annual Reliability and Maintainability Symposium, Miramar Beach, FL, January, 2025. Tan, M.; Liao, H.; Bu, F. “UAV Image-Guided Adaptive Inspection for Efficient Roof Anomaly Detection.” Proceedings of the International Conference on Computational Science and Computational Intelligence, Las Vegas, NV, December, 2025.

Nachtmann, Heather Amee, M.; Nachtmann, H. “Evaluating the Economic Impact of Inland Waterways: A Comprehensive Review.” Proceedings of the 2025 IISE Annual Conference & Expo. Atlanta, GA, May, 2025.

Paulus, David Paulus, D. C.; Paulus, E. C. “Bridging the Gap: Accelerating Engineering Management Education Through Innovative Graduate Pathways.” Proceedings of the 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, June, 2025. Paulus, D. C. “Enhancing Engineering Education through In-Class Management Role-Playing Activities.” Proceedings of the 2025 ASEE Midwest Section Conference. Fayetteville, AR, September, 2025.

Rossetti, Manuel Rossetti, M. D. (2025). “A Tutorial on Resource Modeling Using the Kotlin Simulation Library,” Proceedings of the 2025 Winter Simulation Conference. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. Seattle, WA, December, 2025

Sullivan, Kelly Kim, L.; Sullivan, K. M.; Liao, H.; Pohl, E. A. “SimulationEnhanced Bayesian Optimization of System Designs Using Hybrid Physical and Computer Experiment,” Proceedings of the Industrial and Systems Engineering Research Conference, Atlanta, GA, May, 2025.

uNDERGRAD nEWS SENIORS OF SIGNIFICANCE The Arkansas Alumni Association honors the University of Arkansas family through alumni, faculty and student awards programs. The Senior Awards Program has a rich history of honoring excellence in leadership, academics and cocurricular involvement. Alumni Award recipients excel in all categories and represent a model Razorback Graduate.

Nine I.E. students were selected for this honor during the Spring 2026 semester: Ximena Castro Clara Devine Ronni Formby

Ximena Castro

Alex Henning Jacob Holmes Landen Horton

Kendell King Sarah Nesmith Jemima Pierre

Ximena Castro received the Senior Award and was also honored by the Latino Alumni Society as an Outstanding Graduating Student Leader. U of A faculty and staff nominated these students who have proven themselves academically and demonstrated leadership and involvement.

Ximena was drawn to industrial engineering's balance of technical and people-focused problem solving. In the summer of 2025, she interned at Macy’s E-Commerce Distribution Center in Owasso, Oklahoma, where she conducted time studies and gained supply chain experience.

Landen Horton, Ximena Castro and Jemima Pierre

Jacob Holmes was selected to receive the honor of Razorback Classics. Jacob was also named the Industrial Engineering Outstanding Senior and the College of Engineering Outstanding Senior. These awards honor those who excelled in academic performance, leadership, service, collegiality, ethics and whose dedication to campus and the engineering profession reflect the values of the college. Much of the work that distinguished Holmes traces back to the Jane B. Gearhart Full Circle Food Pantry, where he served for two years as an intern and as the pantry's data and operations coordinator. This work became the foundation of his honors research. Working with associate professor Ashlea Bennett Milburn, Holmes built simulation models to evaluate operational policies, and support pantry accessibility. The research has been supported by $5,500 in grants and presented at three conferences.

During her time as a student she was involved with Path, ECAP, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and the Society of Women Engineers. She also served as a mentor to incoming students. Outside of academics, she enjoys reading, thrifting and going to concerts. Since graduation she has been hired by J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. as a Logistics Engineer I. Donna Jones, Pantry Director, Jacob Holmes, and Charles Robinson, Chancellor

Industrial Engineering I University of Arkansas

Student Organization news ALPHA PI MU

Alpha Pi Mu students and faculty at Bowling Night 2026

The Alpha Pi Mu (APM) Arkansas Alpha Chapter, kicked off the year by participating in the global celebration of the first-ever ISE Day on September 15, 2025, highlighting the impact of industrial and systems engineering.

Throughout the year, APM built strong camaraderie through a variety of engaging events, including a pickleball tournament, fall picnic, bowling night, casino night, Thanksgiving

Feast and more! APM maintained a strong commitment to service, volunteering at the Full Circle Food Pantry. The chapter also hosted both their 118th initiation, welcoming high-achieving new members.

IISE

The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) student organization had a busy year starting with hosting a fall picnic, bowling night, holiday party and March Madness bracket competition. Professional development remained a key focus, hosting guest speaker Tarek Taha, who presented on the topic "Own Your Life."

118th Initiation Cohort

IISE Members attend SouthCentral Regional Conference

Members represented the department with distinction at the annual South-Central Regional IISE Conference, where club President Lauren Jones placed 2nd in the paper competition!

Informs Student group The INFORMS University of Arkansas Student Chapter had an active and high-achieving year, marked by prestigious national recognition, impactful community events and a robust lineup of professional seminars and workshops.

Informs Student Group at the Spring Picnic 2026

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Informs students and Dr. Rainwater receiving the Informs Magna Cum Laude Award.

A major highlight was the chapter receiving the Magna Cum Laude Award, the second-highest distinction nationwide, at the INFORMS Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, representing members’ dedication to analytics and operations research under the support of Dr. Haitao Liao. 15

Capstone Symposium The U of A Department of Industrial Engineering celebrated the achievements of its students during the annual Capstone Symposium and Capstone Presentation:

Student Awards Banquet, Lauren Jones April 27, 2026, at the Arkansas Union Verizon Ballroom. The full day of events highlighted a year of hard work, innovation and collaboration between students, faculty and industry partners. Industrial Engineering Department Chair Chase Rainwater said, "The Capstone Symposium and Student Awards Banquet are among our department's most important events of the academic year.

coordination of Richard Cassady, industrial engineering professor. Working in teams of four to five, students partnered with leading organizations to solve real-world challenges. This year's partners included ABF Freight, ArcBest, Baptist Memorial Healthcare Corporation, Community Clinic, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, National Safety Apparel, Nature's Red, Parkland Health, Simmons Prepared Foods, Tyson Foods and Walmart.

Capstone Presentation: Destanie Patman, Kendell King, Ximena Castro, Jacob Holmes & Landen Horton.

Capstone Experience Team Awards

Capstone Symposium Poster Session

They showcase not only the technical excellence of our students, but also their ability to create impact for industry partners. A cornerstone of the industrial engineering and operations analytics curriculum, the Capstone Experience requires every senior to complete a twosemester, team-based project under the

During the fall semester, students built relationships with their industry partners, defined project goals and conducted preliminary analysis. In the spring, teams applied their technical and analytical skills to develop actionable solutions and assess their potential impact. The Capstone Symposium serves as the culmination of this work, where teams presented their findings to faculty, industry partners and peers. The highest performing teams were recognized with awards across five categories:

Industrial Engineering I University of Arkansas

Capstone Symposium

Project of the Year: Project Title: Creating Balanced Nursing Schedules for Medical-Surgical Units Using an Optimization-Based Approach Team Members: Aiden Small - team leader, Austin Parker, Brock Bewley, Kaden Alvarado and Garrett Munoz Supported by: Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation

Outstanding Achievement in Data Analysis: Project Title: Improving Portioning Decision-Making Strategy for Poultry Processing Team Members: Lauren Jones - team leader, Evan Bland, Landon Hufford, Logan McCann and Ani Thyagarajan Supported by: Simmons Prepared Foods

Outstanding Achievement in Modeling: Project Title: Identifying Loads That Are Likely to Create Empty Miles in an Intermodal Network Team Members: Luke Thurmon - team leader, Trevor Ford, Ivan Luzcando, Ethan McCuistion and Reed Sincleair Supported by: JB Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Student leaders, team members, faculty and industry partners were also recognized for excellence in collaboration and leadership.

Outstanding Achievement in Computing: Project Title: Multi-Objective Carrier Selection Optimization Using Epsilon Constraints Team Members: Elise Batchelor - team leader, Diego Alcoreza, Ronni Formby, Ethan Garza and Steven Knox Supported by: ArcBest 2025-2026 Annual Report

Outstanding Achievement in Methods: Project Title: Designing the Layout and Analyzing the Workflow of a Cochineal Harvesting Production Process Team Members: Luke Montgomery - team leader, Evangelina Hernandez, Holden Griffin, Elizabeth Vetter and Benjamin Baldwin Supported by: Nature's Red

Student Awards Banquet

Student Awards Banquet: Student Group Photo

Student Awards Banquet Following the symposium, the department hosted its annual Student Awards Banquet, an evening dedicated to recognizing the outstanding achievements of our students. The banquet celebrated academic success, research contributions, scholarships and service. Awards presented included: Undergraduate Research Award: Lauren Jones Graduate Research Award: Nikesh Kumar Outstanding Senior Award: Jacob Holmes Outstanding Graduate Student: Mackenzie Johnston Faculty, staff, alumni and donors were acknowledged for their continued support, which helps make these accomplishments possible.

Finally, student-sponsored awards presented. These award winners determined through a student vote.

were were

Sophomore Scholar Award: Emerson Brown John L. Imhoff Distinguished Service Award: Lexie Willroth Outstanding TA Award: Mackenzie Johnston Outstanding Undergraduate TA Award: Miles Nantze Backbreaker Award: Brandon Crisel Best Teacher Award: Brandon Crisel Resident Raconteur Award: Professor David Paulus Together, the Capstone Symposium and Student Awards Banquet showcased the department's commitment to experiential learning and student success, while celebrating the next generation of industrial engineering leaders as they prepared to graduate and go on to make an impact in their fields. Industrial Engineering I University of Arkansas

gRADuate STUDENT NEWS The Maritime Transportation Research and Education Center The Maritime Transportation Research and Education Center (MarTREC) hosted the 2025 Jack Buffington Student Poster Competition on Friday, Oct. 3. 2025. The Jack Buffington Outstanding Student Poster Awards were awarded to: Zaidur Rahman, First place "Smart Waterways: A Retrieval-Augmented AI Framework for Vessel Tracking and Decision Support"

Zaidur Rahman and Shantonu Mitra

Shantonu Mitra, 2nd Place Developing Optimization Methods for Maritime Escort Strategies for Littoral and Chokepoint Shipping Lanes

Outstanding Graduate Student In spring we hosted our annual Industrial Engineering Student Awards Banquet. Bringing together faculty, students, staff, and alumni in celebration of student achievement and academic excellence. This year’s award for Outstanding Graduate Student went to

Mackenzie Johnston in recognition of her excellence in academic performance, leadership, service, collegiality, ethics, and dedication. Mackenzie Johnston.

Student Research Recognitions

Nikesh Kumar

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At this year’s Reliability and Maintainability Symposium (RAMS), PhD. student Nikesh Kumar was recognized for exceptional contributions to the field as the award winner of the Doug Ogden Best Paper Award. Nikesh co-authored the paper with Dr. Haitao Liao and former

PhD student Miao Tan. In addition, Nikesh was recognized as the graduate student who made the most valuable contributions to departmental research efforts in calendar year 2025.

M.S. Operations Management & M.S. Engineering Management The Master of Science in Operations Management (MSOM) graduate degree program began at the University of Arkansas College of Engineering in 1974 and continues to be the University’s largest graduate program. Since its inception, the program has conferred more than 6,500 degrees. The Master of Science in Engineering Management (MSEM) graduate degree program began in 2017 and as of Spring, 2026, has conferred more than 200 degrees, and continues to enjoy enrollment growth. Based on data obtained from students as they prepare to graduate from the MSOM or MSEM program, students pick one of these programs because of the low tuition cost, when compared to other similar graduate programs and to many MBA programs, the number of courses offered, the convenience of an online program, and the reputation of the MSOM/MESM faculty.

Program Changes The Master of Science in Operations Management (MSOM) program has enacted a significant change in the program, designed to enhance student preparedness, increase transparency and lower time-to-degree barriers.

A new course, Foundations in Operations Management, was developed to replace four legacy undergraduate prerequisite courses with a single, comprehensive 3 credit-hour course, which combines essential operations management fundamentals with graduate-level academic preparedness and study expectations. Foundations in Operations Management serves as the gateway into the MSOM program. The course seeks to prepare every student to succeed as a graduate student and to also be ready to succeed in the analytical courses which are taken later in the MSOM program. The major topics in the course are: Ethics and legal environment in operations management Basic and intermediate concepts in Excel Foundational statistical analysis Introduction to business accounting and finance concepts

Industrial Engineering I University of Arkansas

M.S. Operations Management & M.S. Engineering Management Curriculum Innovation Highlight: Resilient Project Management

The total credit requirement for the MSOM degree is now standardized at 33 credit-hours (11 courses) for all students. Prior to this change, many students, based on their undergraduate curriculum, faced up to 42 total credit-hours to complete their degree. Legacy undergraduate prerequisites created financial complexities, as graduate financial aid and loans often do not cover undergraduatelevel coursework. Consolidating these prerequisites into a single graduate-level course drastically reduces out-of-pocket costs and time-to-degree barriers, encouraging higher enrollment and retention. Standardizing the program to 33 credit hours aligns program collateral and recruitment outreach with actual degree requirements. Potential students now benefit from complete transparency regarding program length, tuition costs, and timeline to graduation.

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As modern organizations face increasingly volatile, uncertain, and complex environments, traditional project management frameworks focusing strictly on the "triple constraints" (time, cost, and scope) are no longer sufficient on their own. To address this growing industry need, the Master of Science in Operations Management (MSOM) program developed and launched a new course, Resilient Project Management. Resilient Project Management moves beyond conventional baseline tracking to focus on the dynamic human and systemic factors that dictate project outcomes under high-pressure or chaotic conditions. The course emphasizes: Diagnostic Skills & Root-Cause Analysis: Equipping project managers to evaluate early warning signs of project distress, distinguish symptoms from root causes, and intervene effectively before critical failures occur. The Human Side of Project Leadership: Fostering psychological safety, clear communication, crisis negotiation, and constructive conflict resolution so teams maintain composure and clear decisionmaking during disruption.

M.S. Operations Management & M.S. Engineering Management Value-Based Success Metrics: Shifting the definition of project success from rigid process adherence to long-term value delivery, strategic alignment, and organizational resilience. Designed with applied learning at its core, the course scaffolds students through real-world scenarios, case evaluations, and decisionmaking frameworks. By integrating tools that assess both structural risks and team dynamics, Resilient Project Management ensures graduate students leave prepared to lead complex, mission-critical initiatives across engineering, construction, technology, and operations sectors. Resilient Project Management will equip MSOM and MSEM students to not just to plan for success, but to lead with confidence, clarity, and adaptability when things don't go according to plan. This new course also expands the MSOM and MSEM project management concentrations by addressing emerging workforce demands for adaptive leadership.

“RESILIENT PROJECT MANAGEMENT WILL EQUIP MSOM AND MSEM STUDENTS TO NOT JUST PLAN FOR SUCCESS, BUT TO LEAD WITH CONFIDENCE, CLARITY, AND ADAPTABILITY WHEN THINGS DON'T GO ACCORDING TO PLAN.”

Credit for Prior Learning Related to the additional project management course and in response to a frequently-asked question by prospective students, the MSOM and MSEM programs now offer Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) for those who have earned the highly recognized Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI). PMP certification requires 35 hours of training or course work, plus 3 years of documented experience as a project manager. Alignment mapping between the PMP certification exam topics and OMGT/EMGT 57803 - Project Management for Operations Managers indicated those individuals who previously earned PMP certification could be expected to be competent, if not expert, in the topics covered in Project Management for Operations Managers. Now, if an individual has an active PMP certification, that individual will be given 3 hours of credit for Project Management for Operations Managers and will not have to take that course as part of the MSOM or MSEM degree program, or as part of the Project Management Graduate Certificate.

Industrial Engineering I University of Arkansas

M.S. Operations Management & M.S. Engineering Management MSOM Scholarships & Featured Scholarship Recipients The Master of Science in Operations Management (MSOM) program is proud to support exceptional graduate students whose academic achievements, leadership, and diverse professional backgrounds strengthen our academic community. Through the generous contributions of donors and program supporters, our scholarship recipients receive critical support that enables them to balance rigorous graduate studies with professional commitments and community impact. "Receiving this award is a great honor... This scholarship represents more than financial assistance; it is a reminder of the importance of supporting

students and empowering future leaders."

"Your generosity has given me the opportunity to simultaneously study and help meet important family responsibilities... I am committed to honoring your support, academic dedication, professional excellence, and positive contributions to my field."

Monisola Ayankoya

Julian Mpirirwe

Scholarship Award: MSOM Program Scholarship Degree / Major: M.S. in Operations Management Hometown: Nigeria Anticipated Graduation: May 2027

Scholarship Award: AMASS Family Award Scholarship (Spring 2026) Degree / Major: M.S. in Operations Management Hometown: Kampala, Uganda Anticipated Graduation: December 2026

Background & Expertise Monisola holds a B.S. in Finance from Adekunle Ajasin University, an M.S. in Statistics and Analytics from the University of Arkansas, and a Graduate Certificate in Enterprise Systems. She holds numerous industry credentials, including Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Scrum Master Certified, and Wharton Operations Analytics certifications.

Impact & Goals An active campus leader serving on the Graduate Professional Student Congress and a Head Judge for the NWA Regional Science and Engineering Fair, Monisola’s research focuses on AI and predictive analytics for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). She plans to lead efforts connecting technology, analytics, and operational resilience.

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Background & Expertise Julian holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and Technology from Shandong University of Science and Technology in China. She works full-time as a Production Chemistry Field Engineer in the energy sector, balancing realtime field operations with her graduate coursework.

Impact & Goals With certifications in Sustainable Business Strategy and Project Management underway, Julian aims to transition into executive leadership roles within the energy industry to drive efficiency, safe, and sustainable operations.

"This scholarship is incredibly meaningful to me, as it helps ease the financial burden of graduate studies and provides stability that allows me to stay focused on my education and growth."

Tomas Perrachon Scholarship Award: AMASS Family MSOM Award (Fall 2026) Degree / Major: M.S. in Operations Management Hometown: Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay Anticipated Graduation: May 2027

Background & Expertise A former collegiate soccer captain at John Brown University, Tomas earned his B.B.A. in Economics and International Business while maintaining Dean’s and President’s List honors. His background includes experience in financial operations with Arvest Bank and financial consulting for international clean energy initiatives.

Impact & Goals Currently working in Compensation and Classification within the University of Arkansas HR Department, Tomas active volunteers as an Assistant Coach for JBU Men’s Soccer. He plans to leverage his background in economics, analytics, and leadership to lead high-performing teams and drive organizational growth.

M.S. Operations Management & M.S. Engineering Management Annual Faculty Meeting The annual Faculty Meeting was held virtually over Zoom on July 24, 2026 with over forty in attendance. Those present included the Master of Science in Operations Management and Master of Science in Engineering Management faculty, staff, and guest speakers. Prior to meeting virtually, an asynchronous blackboard course was created where everyone could collaborate on new course developments, learn more about different tools in Blackboard, and hear more about the College of Engineering Vision and be updated about the current state of the Graduate School. During the virtual meeting, instructors spent time gaining a clear understanding of expectations while teaching asynchronously, utilizing Turnitin and AI in Blackboard. Instructors also engaged in a panel discussion with the Industry Advisory Board. Participants engaged in valuable discussions surrounding online pedagogy and student learning. Faculty awards and the Campus Partner Award were announced and presented after this year’s meeting to the following individuals: Susan Sorenson, who earned her Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Arkansas in 2022, received the Rookie of the Year award. This award recognizes an outstanding instructor who has gone above and beyond to contribute to student success and program efforts, making a difference in a relatively short period of time. Dr. Sorenson jumped in teaching probability and statistics for our EM program, then was the lead on the course rebuild. Her positive attitude helped her students succeed. 24

The Leonard Nethercutt Innovator of the Year award went to Tracey Richardson. The Innovator award is open to any instructor in MSOM or MSEM, who increases learning outside the traditional curriculum through innovative teaching and service. Dr. Richardson has been a driving force in our programs contributing to multiple Project Management course builds and redesigns to ensure students receive the highest-quality learning experience. Adam Morris, PhD was the recipient of the Randy Roy Instructor of the Year award. This award recognizes an instructor who goes above and beyond to help students in the MSOM and MSEM programs and has volunteered to help when program needs arise. Dr. Morris is deeply engaged with his class, he provides timely and meaningful feedback, and demonstrates exceptional knowledge in his field. Our students respect Dr. Morris, know that he cares and is willing to go the extra mile to help them. The final award is our Campus Partner Award. This year’s campus partner is Kelsey Berkel. The Campus Partner Award recognizes individuals who exemplify outstanding collaboration and service across the university. As Associate Director of Admissions Operations, Kelsey has become an indispensable partner to the admissions team through her exceptional responsiveness, deep institutional knowledge, and collaborative approach, helping ensure a smooth and efficient admissions process for both staff and prospective students.

Industrial Engineering I University of Arkansas

aLUMNI hIGHTLIGHTS At the 2026 Alumni Awards Banquet, the college inducted two new Hall of Fame members and honored nine Distinguished Alumni and 10 Early Career Alumni award recipients. The awards ceremony was led by Dean Kim Needy and co-hosts Cyndie Fredrick, chair of the Dean's Advisory Council, and Kaylee Kamalanathan, chair of the Early Career Advisory Council. "It's always special to welcome our alumni back to the College of Engineering, celebrate what they've accomplished and see them reconnect with one another. This event is a reminder of the important work that we do educating future generations of engineers who will profoundly impact society." Needy said.

Distinguished Alumni The Distinguished Alumni Award honors College of Engineering graduates who have provided leadership in their communities and achieved distinction in their fields.

Charles L. King (BSIE 1988, MSIE 1990) was honored as a 2026 Distinguished Alumni. Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Officer, Evergy.

Edward T. Amass, MSOM 2013, Retired Engineering and Operations Manager

Early Career Awards The Early Career Award recognizes exceptional professional and personal achievements of recent College of Engineering graduates.

Tyler Beneke Kinalski, BSIE 2016, Product Manager, Google 2025-2026 Annual Report

Kelly C. Simpson, MSOM 2023, Product Owner, Molson Coors Beverage Company 25

aLUMNI hIGHLIGHTS

Karlton Haney

Karlton Haney – From Little Flock to Forbes 30 Under 30 Karlton Haney grew up on a 28-acre homestead in Little Flock, Arkansas, raised by physician parents. His early childhood laid the groundwork for his entrepreneurial mindset. From his first business selling eggs in elementary school to opening his first brokerage account at age 18. Haney enrolled at the University of Arkansas on an Honors College Fellowship. Initially pursuing biology on a pre-med track, he ultimately sought greater career flexibility and switched to Industrial Engineering.

Alongside co-founder Devon Gethers, Haney launched Meridian Ventures prior to their business school graduation. Their key strategy is to make seedstage investments targeting tech startups founded by graduates of top-tier MBA programs. This investment model capitalizes on research showing ~20% of venture-backed billion-dollar companies have founders from top MBA programs. Haney and Gethers built pitch decks, raised initial funding, and resigned from their jobs to commit full-time. Their initial investment, in Cast AI, reached a $1B+ valuation. Meridian Ventures has since closed 60+ investments and manages $40 million across two funds. Recognized on the 2026 Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Venture Capital, Haney stands out as a thoughtful listener and strategic builder. Reflecting on his journey from Northwest Arkansas to elite venture capital, Haney highlights that top institutions actively seek diverse perspectives, non-traditional backgrounds, and self-starters willing to carve their own trail.

Two pivotal moments defined his undergraduate trajectory. During a seven-week immersion trip to a remote village in Belize, he realized that "life is very moldable" and that he could forge his own path. Haney then discovered Harvard Business School’s 2+2 Deferred Admission Program. Haney began his career at Walmart while selfstudying finance. Through cold emailing, he secured an analyst role at The Stephens Group, a private investment firm in Little Rock, where he developed an expertise in software investing. 26

Karen, Karlton, and Kevin Haney

Industrial Engineering I University of Arkansas

Arkansas Academy of Industrial Engineering distinguished graduates charter members.

AAIE 2026 Inductees Right to left: Brad McBride, Tripp Cashion, Bashyam Ramasami, Brian Steinmiller, Richard Penn, Jonathan King, Jeff Eason, Kurt Andrews, Bailey Frazier-Whaley, Jonathan Marshall, and Tish Pohl Not pictured: Lyndsey Allen, Adam Keeley

Celebrating 40 Years of Excellence:

Established in 1986, the Arkansas Academy of Industrial Engineering (AAIE) was founded to recognize the outstanding achievements of University of Arkansas Industrial Engineering graduates while providing vital guidance and support to the Department of Industrial Engineering. This year, the organization celebrates its 40th anniversary, reflecting on four decades of promoting the engineering profession, strengthening the U of A program, assisting with student recruitment, and providing essential scholarship funding.

Rooted in Vision and Leadership

The foundation for AAIE was laid during 1985/86 when Department Head Bob Emerson recognized the immense potential an academy would bring to the department. After planting the initial seed, Emerson gained the support of Larry Stephens, President of Mid South Engineering, who became the driving force behind organizing the Academy and served as its first president. In the spring of 1986, 14 2025-2026 Annual Report

were

selected

AAIE’s scholarship support experienced a major transformation in 1992. Bekaert Corporation contributed $50,000, establishing the seed money for the AAIE Endowed Scholarship Fund. Through dedicated scholarship leadership the AAIE Scholarship Endowment has grown to nearly $5 million, which includes the Imhoff Global Studies Fund. Supported by this endowment and additional funds from committed AAIE members, the Academy provides numerous scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate students. Beyond financial support, AAIE actively assists the department with equipment acquisition, faculty recruiting, student placement, curriculum review, and ongoing ideas exchanged through an annual meeting with faculty and students.

A Tradition of Fellowship:

The annual banquet, picnic and meeting served as a time to review the Academy's progress and highlight its mission through the formal induction ceremony for new members. For many members, returning to campus for the annual banquet and weekend festivities provides a meaningful opportunity to re-engage with the institution that shaped their early careers. Attendees reconnect with former classmates, visit with faculty members, and stay informed on current College and University activities, all while nurturing and giving back to the organization that played a foundational role in their professional growth. 27

FIVE WAYS TO PARTNER WITH I.E. The Industrial Engineering Department at the University of Arkansas works with a wide network of collaborators. Here are some of the ways we are working together with the professional community for mutual benefit. We are always eager to explore new and creative ways to team up with you, our alumni and industry friends.

INDUSTRY RESEARCH FUNDING

IE’s faculty and students work with corporations, governmental agencies and organizations to perform in-context research that generates new knowledge, tools and insights. Your funding supports the project, valuable experience for students and leverages the expertise and resources associated with a major research institution. We ensure your research funding results in a measurable return on investment. For more information, contact Dr. Chase Rainwater: cer@uark.edu.

PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES

The Capstone Experience Course provides unique opportunities for companies to partner with students to solve real-world issues companies are facing. Student teams work closely with company partners to identify projects, objectives and ways to achieve desired outcomes. To partner with us, please contact Dr. Richard Cassady: cassady@uark.edu.

MENTORING CIRCLES

Capstone Student Group: Truman Hackworth, Jackson Wray, Jonathan Thomas, Sarah Nesmith, & Kendall Kapp.

Through the AAIE Mentoring Program, IE students are provided with networking opportunities and access to industry professionals with whom they can discuss career opportunities, job expectations as well as skills and strategies for professional success. Industry mentors share their passion for their profession and help develop the next generation of leaders, while building their own coaching, communication and leadership skills. To learn more, contact: aaie@uark.edu.

INTERNSHIPS

Through internships, employers receive the benefit of working with some of the top students in our program. The students gain hands-on experience in the workforce and can utilize their newly acquired skills. Employers also find potential new employees by developing their relationship with the students. To learn more about hosting an intern, contact: Caleb Hatz at chatz@uark.edu.

GUEST SPEAKERS

Guest lecturers bring real world experiences to the classroom. Hearing from those currently working in the IE industry provides valuable insight for students that they can apply in their course work, internships and post graduation. For more information, contact Dr. Chase Rainwater: cer@uark.edu.

Industrial Engineering I University of Arkansas

Our Faculty

C. Richard Cassady, Ph.D. University Professor Ph.D. I.S.E (Virginia Tech) M.S.I.S.E (Virginia Tech) B.S.I.S.E (Virginia Tech)

Justin R. Chimka, Ph.D. Associate Professor Ph.D. (University of Pittsburgh) M.S.I.E (University of Pittsburgh) B.S.I.E. (University of Pittsburgh)

Brandon Crisel Instructor and Undergrad Adviser M.S.I.E. University of Arkansas M.Sc. Math Arkansas State University B.Sc. Math Arkansas State University

Rob Curry, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Ph.D. (Clemson University) M.S.I.E. (University of Florida) B.S.I.E. (University of Arkansas)

Sandra Ekşioğlu, Ph.D. Professor Ph.D. (University of Florida) M.S.E.M.S. (Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania) B.S.B.A. (University of Tirana)

Phillip Jones Instructor M.S.B.A. (University of Arkansas) B.S.C.M. (University of Arkansas-L.R.)

Haitao Liao, Ph.D. Professor Ph.D. I.S.E. (Rutgers University) M.S.I.S.E. (Rutgers University) M.S. Statistics (Rutgers University) B.S.E.E. (Beijing Institute of Technology)

Kerry Melton, Ph.D. Teaching Associate Professor Ph.D. (Oklahoma State University) M.S.I.E. (University of Arkansas) B.S.I.E. (University of Arkansas)

Ashlea Bennett Milburn, Ph.D. Associate Professor Ph.D. I.S.E. (Georgia Tech) M.S.I.S.E. (Virginia Tech) B.S.I.E. (University of Arkansas)

2025-2026 Annual Report

Our Faculty

Heather Nachtmann, Ph.D. Professor & Associate Department Head Ph.D. (University of Pittsburgh) M.S.I.E. (University of Pittsburgh) B.S.I.E. (University of Pittsburgh)

Kim LaScola Needy, Ph.D., PE, CFPIM, PEM Dean, College of Engineering Ph.D. (Wichita State University) M.S.I.E. (University of Pittsburgh) B.S.I.E. (University of Pittsburgh)

Gregory S. Parnell, Ph.D. Professor of Practice Ph.D. (Stanford University) M.S. (University of Southern California) M.E.I.S.E. (University of Florida) B.S. (University of New York at Buffalo)

David Paulus, Ph.D. Professor of Practice and Director M.S.O.M. and M.S.E.M. Programs Ph.D. (Colorado State University) M.S.I.E. (University of Tennessee) B.S.M.E. (University of Tennessee)

Edward A. Pohl, Ph.D. Professor, Dean of Graduate School Ph.D. (University of Arizona) M.S.R.E. (University of Arizona) M.S.S.E. (Air Force Institute of Technology) M.S.E.M. (University of Dayton) B.S.E.E. (Boston University)

Chase Rainwater, Ph.D. Professor & Department Head Ph.D. (University of Florida) B.S.I.E. (University of Arkansas)

Manuel D. Rossetti, Ph.D., PE University Professor and Director of the Data Science Program Ph.D. (The Ohio State University) M.S.I.S. (The Ohio State University) B.S.I.E. (University of Cincinnati)

Karl D. Schubert, Ph.D. Professor of Practice and Assoc. Director of the Data Science Program Ph.D. (Uiversity of Arkansas) M.S.C.E. (University of Kentucky, Lexington) B.S.C.E. (University of Arkansas)

Haoming Shen, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Ph.D. (University of Michigan) M.Math (University of Michigan) M.E.C.E. (University of Michigan) B.S.E.E. (Xi’an Jiaotong University)

Industrial Engineering I University of Arkansas

Our Faculty

Kelly Sullivan, Ph.D. Associate Professor Ph.D. (University of Florida) M.S.I.E. (University of Arkansas) B.S.I.E. (University of Arkansas)

Shengfan Zhang, Ph.D. Associate Professor Ph.D. (North Carolina State University) M.I.E. (North Carolina State University) B.M. (Fudan University, Shanghai)

Faculty Contact Information C. Richard Cassady .......................................................cassady@uark.edu ..............................................................(479) 575-6735 Justin R. Chimka ............................................................jchimka@uark.edu ..............................................................(479) 575-7392 Brandon Crisel ................................................................bcrisel@uark.edu ................................................................(479) 575-4815 Rob Curry........................................................................ rmcurry@uark.edu ..............................................................(479) 575-3156 Sandra Eksioglu ..............................................................sandra@uark.edu ................................................................(479) 575-6042 Phillip Jones ....................................................................pwj001@uark.edu ...............................................................(479) 575-3156 Haitao Liao ..........................................................................liao@uark.edu ...................................................................(479) 575-6196 Kerry D. Melton ...........................................................kdmelton@uark.edu .............................................................(479) 575-3156 Ashlea Bennett Milburn ..............................................ashlea@uark.edu ................................................................(479) 575-3702 Heather Nachtmann ........................................................ hln@uark.edu ...................................................................(479) 575-5857 Kim LaScola Needy ......................................................kneedy@uark.edu ...............................................................(479) 575-7762 Greg S. Parnell ...............................................................gparnell@uark.edu ..............................................................(479) 575-7423 David Paulus .................................................................. dpaulus@uark.edu ..............................................................(479) 575-3156 Edward A. Pohl ...................................................................epohl@uark.edu ................................................................(479) 575-7762 Chase Rainwater ............................................................... cer@uark.edu ...................................................................(479) 575-6029 Manuel D. Rossetti ....................................................... rossetti@uark.edu ..............................................................(479) 575-6756 Karl D. Schubert ...........................................................schubert@uark.edu .............................................................(479) 575-2264 Haoming Shen ............................................................. haomings@uark.edu ............................................................(479) 575-3156 Kelly Sullivan ................................................................... ksulliv@uark.edu ................................................................(479) 575-2563 Shengfan Zhang ..........................................................shengfan@uark.edu .............................................................(479) 575-3571

2025-2026 Annual Report

2025-2026