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The Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
A faculty award from the American Institute of Industrial Engineers, highlighting faculty awards since 1949.

Faculty Awards

Learn from award-winning faculty, including more IISE Fellows than any other U.S. school.

Last Updated: 07/29/2026 | All information is accurate and still up-to-date

You can take pride in learning from faculty who lead your industry. In fact, many of your professors have earned top faculty awards and are fellows of respected professional associations. As a result, you gain insight from experts recognized for excellence and impact. Moreover, you benefit from instructors who continue to shape the future of the field.

Most importantly, you attend the only U.S. school with more Fellows of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers than any other school. In other words, no other school in the nation has more IISE Fellows on its faculty. Therefore, you learn from leaders whose achievements and faculty awards set the professional standard.

Faculty Awards (Fellows)

Fellows of Engineering Associations

American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE)

American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE)

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

Chinese Institute of Industrial Engineers (CIIE)

Cray, NC Supercomputing Center

Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)

Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS)

Royal Academy of Engineering

Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)

U.S. Air Force

Faculty Awards (Founding Directors)

NC State Founding Directors

Furniture Manufacturing and Management Center (NC State)

Integrated Manufacturing Systems Engineering Institute (NC State)

Operations Research Program (NC State)

  • Salah E. Elmaghraby

The Ergonomics Center of North Carolina

  • Mahmoud A. Ayoub

Faculty Awards (Professional Societies)

Professional Society Awards

Albert G. Holzman Distinguished Educator Award (IISE)

ADScientific Index Top North American Researcher

BRIDGES Academic Leadership for Women Program

  • Julie S. Ivy

Diplomate, Society of Health Services (SHS)

Distinguished Faculty Advisor Award (SME)

Dr. David Baker Distinguished Research Award (IISE)

Dr. Hamed K. Eldin Outstanding Early Career IE in Academia Award

Frank and Lillian Gilberth Industrial Engineering Award (IISE)

George L. Smith Award (IISE)

Mid-Atlantic Region Outstanding Chapter Advisor (IISE)

Moving Spirit Award (INFORMS)

  • Julie S. Ivy

National Academy of Engineering (NAE)

NSF CAREER Awards

Outstanding Young Industrial Engineer (IISE)

The Outstanding New Advisor Certificate of Merit, National Academic Advising Association

Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer (SME)

Phil Carroll Award for Outstanding Achievement in Work Measurement (IISE)

Region III Award for Excellence (IISE)

    Technical innovation in Industrial Engineering Award (IISE)

      Young Manufacturing Engineer of the Year (SME)

        Why Faculty Awards are Important

        Faculty awards matter because they directly shape your experience as a student or faculty member. First, when you join a department with award-winning professors, you learn from leaders in the field. As a result, you gain knowledge grounded in recognized expertise and real-world impact.

        Moreover, if you are a student, faculty awards signal teaching and research excellence. When professors earn honors from professional societies, they demonstrate that their work influences industry and academia. Therefore, your degree carries stronger credibility with employers and graduate programs.

        Likewise, if you are considering joining the faculty, awards reflect a culture of achievement and support. In other words, you enter an environment where excellence is valued and recognized. Consequently, you benefit from strong mentorship, collaboration, and professional visibility.

        In addition, award-winning departments attract competitive research funding and industry partnerships. As a result, you gain access to cutting-edge projects, advanced resources, and meaningful networks. Furthermore, you become part of a community known for leadership.

        Ultimately, faculty awards do more than honor individuals. They strengthen the department’s reputation, and in turn, they strengthen the value of your education and career opportunities.

        For example, when your professors receive national recognition, you see clear proof of high standards. As a result, you feel greater confidence in your program’s quality. In turn, you can highlight your department’s achievements on your resume or applications.

        Additionally, awards often inspire higher expectations across the department. Because faculty set strong examples, you push yourself to meet those standards. Consequently, you grow as a scholar, professional, and leader.

        Most importantly, you share in the pride that recognition brings. Therefore, you feel connected to a department that values excellence and celebrates success.