Industrial Engineering Professor Named Head of Department

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Alumnus and professor Chase Rainwater

Chase Rainwater, an alumnus and professor of industrial engineering known for his outstanding mentorship of students, has been named head of the Department of Industrial Engineering effective June 1. He takes the helm from Ed Pohl, who was named dean of the U of A Graduate School and International Education in May.

Rainwater earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from U of A in 2004 and a Ph.D. in industrial and systems engineering from the University of Florida in 2009.

He joined the College of Engineering as an assistant professor of industrial engineering in 2009 and has been promoted twice, achieving the rank of professor in 2021. He also has served as associate department head, director of the J.B. Hunt Innovation Center of Excellence, inaugural director of the Master of Science in operations analytics program and co-director of the Arkansas Security Research and Education Institute.

"The Department of Industrial Engineering has meant so much to me as both a student and a faculty member. It is a tremendous honor to be its next leader. We are fortunate to have exceptional faculty and staff, and passionate alumni. Together we will continue our focus on the development of students and our commitment to their success," Rainwater said. "I look forward to building on the tremendous momentum created by Dr. Ed Pohl as the department head. He has been an influential mentor to me and so many others. I am grateful for his leadership and dedication to the Department of Industrial Engineering and the University of Arkansas."

Rainwater is regarded as an exceptional educator, teaching numerous courses in computing, as well as optimization, probability and statistics. His research interests include supply chain logistics, security and food safety. His work has been supported by the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of Education, in addition to multiple national labs, nonprofit organizations and companies. Rainwater is a strong supporter of the Arkansas STEM community and has been a mentor in the FIRST program since 2010. 

"Chase brings a wealth of expertise, experience and passion that will ensure the department's success in training the industrial engineers of tomorrow," said Dean Kim Needy. "His impressive track record of research and teaching will undoubtedly help us further our strategic vision, strengthen industry partnerships and attract top-tier faculty and students."

Rainwater recently was awarded the title of fellow of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, recognizing his outstanding leadership and significant, nationally recognized contributions to industrial and systems engineering. A fellow is the highest classification of membership in the institute.

Pohl, who joined the College of Engineering as an associate professor in 2004, had served as head of industrial engineering since 2014. He began his new duties in the graduate school on June 1.