Alumni Make Career Moves in Higher Education

SIE alumni are on to lead departments, win prestigious awards and start their careers as faculty members.

Lewis Ntaimo Named Head of Texas A&M Engineering Department

SIE alumnus Lewis Ntaimo was recently named the head of the Wm Michael Barnes ’64 Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Texas A&M University. He joined the department as an assistant professor in 2004 and has served as the interim department head since Jan. 1, 2020.

Ntaimo is a three-time University of Arizona graduate: He earned his bachelor's degree in mining engineering in 1998, his master's in mining and geological engineering in 2000 and his PhD in systems and industrial engineering in 2004.  

Mary Kurz Receives Clemson University Award for Excellence

SIE alumna Mary E. Kurz received the Class of ’39 Award for Excellence from Clemson University, where she currently works as an associate professor of industrial engineering. Kurz was selected for being an "excellent faculty member who has balanced success across teaching, research and securing funding." 

Kurz is a triple SIE alumna, earning her BS and MS in systems engineering in 1995 and 1997, respectively, and her PhD in systems and industrial engineering in 2001.

Recent Graduates Land Professorial Positions

Jose Luis Ruiz Duarte, who completed his PhD in SIE in 2020, was recently hired as an assistant professor of marketing and business analytics at San Jose State University.  Duarte was named the SIE department's outstanding graduate student in Spring 2020 and was named a University of Arizona Fellow in 2016.

Yiheng Feng, who completed his PhD in SIE in 2015, was named an assistant professor of civil engineering at Purdue University in August 2020. Feng, whose research specializes in transportation and infrastructure systems, worked as a research fellow and assistant research scientist at the University of Michigan after his graduation from the UA.

Where has life taken you since graduation? Email updates and photos to mias@arizona.edu so we can share your good news!