DEPARTMENT HEAD WELCOME

Dear Colleagues, Alumni, Students and Friends,

It is with great pleasure that I present to you the Department of Industrial Engineering’s annual report. As the newest department head of the industrial engineering department, I am delighted to share the significant accomplishments, advancements and highlights from the past year.

In this report, you will find a comprehensive overview of our department’s achievements in areas such as academics, research, community engagement and more. This document serves as a testament to the dedication, hard work and innovation exhibited by our faculty, staff, students and alumni.

Throughout this report, you will notice that our faculty members have continued to excel in their research endeavors, contributing valuable insights to their respective fields. Their groundbreaking work not only enriches our academic community but also has a positive impact on society at large. Recently, Heather Nachtmann was named an Arkansas Research Alliance Fellow, which recognizes her exemplary contributions to one of Arkansas’ core research focus areas. She was honored by the Governor at a reception in Little Rock for this extraordinary accolade. Manuel Rossetti was honored at the annual Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) conference with one of the organization’s highest honors, the Albert G. Holzman Distinguished Educator award due to his achievements in teaching throughout his notable career.

I am excited to announce the arrival of five new additions to our faculty. With a commitment to advancing knowledge and innovation in the field, these new faculty members bring a wealth of expertise. Haoming Shen and Rob Curry have been hired as Assistant Professors. Alice Squires and Kerry Melton are serving the Operations Management and Engineering Management graduate

programs as Teaching Professor and Teaching Associate Professor, respectively. David Paulus joins us as Professor of Practice. I look forward to watching our department continue to flourish with these new faculty members on board!

Additionally, we are proud to showcase the accomplishments of our students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievements, leadership and community engagement. Their success stories inspire us and reaffirm our commitment to providing them with a transformative educational experience. Recent graduates Abby Harris and Paris Joslin were recognized by the Arkansas Alumni Association with the Senior of Significance honor. This is a very exciting honor since only 71 students from the graduating class were chosen.

You will learn about many more honors and accolades throughout this report, so I hope you will continue reading.

We extend our sincere appreciation for your continued support and partnership. Together, we look forward to the opportunities and challenges that a new academic year will bring, as we strive to build upon our accomplishments and create a brighter future for the University of Arkansas Department of Industrial Engineering.

Chase Rainwater, Ph.D. Professor and Department Head Industrial Engineering cer@uark.edu