Industrial Engineering Faculty Member Receives International Teaching Award

University Relations

Manuel Rossetti

Professor Manuel Rossetti has been awarded 2020 Institute of Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers' Modeling and Simulation Division Teaching Award.

The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) was founded in 1948 and is the largest professional society dedicated to the advancement of the industrial and systems engineering profession throughout the world.

The award recognizes excellence in teaching modeling and simulation courses. Nominees are evaluated on their leadership, course design and content quality, applied learning, innovation and student satisfaction.

Rossetti has been a member of IISE since 1984, and was elected as a fellow of the organization in 2012. He has been with the Industrial Engineering Department since 1999.

Rossetti said the award was humbling.

"I am honored to be recognized by the IISE and my colleagues as an outstanding teacher," he said. "I am humbled to stand on the shoulders of those who taught me and encouraged my interests in simulation modeling and analysis."

Rossetti has received the Charles and Nadine Baum Teaching Award and elected into the University of Arkansas Teaching Academy in 2013. He was the John L. Imhoff College of Engineering Outstanding Teacher in 2011-2012 and is a three-time winner of the College of Engineering Outstanding Teacher Award.

His research is focused on the design, analysis and optimization of transportation, inventory, healthcare and manufacturing systems, using stochastic modeling, computer simulation, information systems and heuristic modeling techniques. He teaches courses in the areas of probability modeling, discrete event simulation, object-oriented and database systems, transportation/logistics modeling, and inventory modeling.

 "I support the synergy between research and teaching through the use of active and collaborative teaching methods within my courses," he said. "These methods actively engage students in the learning process and are proven to provide an enhanced learning experience. Also, I believe that active engagement is a key for fostering a research mentality. I am committed to improving engineering education by developing, using, and disseminating innovative teaching methods."

The annual conference was slated for New Orleans this fall, but has been moved to a virtual venue because of COVID-19. Rossetti was recognized at the virtual meeting in early November.