Engineering Research Coordinator Shelley Wilmoth to Retire After 42-Year Career at U of A

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Shelley Wilmoth

Shelley Wilmoth, research coordinator for the College of Engineering, will complete a 42-year career at the U of A this month having worked in multiple areas in diverse jobs, earning praise from top researchers, administrators and former colleagues across campus.

In her most recent role, Wilmoth has guided junior faculty members in securing research funding and developing grant proposals in addition to helping senior researchers land and manage six- and seven-figure grants to support their research programs and teams. Colleagues praise her depth of knowledge, commitment and professionalism.

"Shelley Wilmoth is one of the most highly skilled and dedicated colleagues I have worked with during my 23 years at the University of Arkansas," said Heather Nachtmann, former associate dean for research in the college, professor of industrial engineering and holder of the Earl J. and Lillian P. Dyess Endowed Chair in Engineering. "She is a technical expert in sponsored research administration and devoted to supporting and promoting sponsored research across the College of Engineering."

Wilmoth began as a work-study student in the College of Education in 1981 before landing a full-time role a year later. She served as office manager of the University Museum 1984-1994 and office supervisor of intramural recreational sports 1994-2001. In 2001, she completed a Bachelor of Science in education and human resources development.

After earning her degree, Wilmoth served as a program specialist in three areas: Pre-College Programs 2001-2007, Research and Sponsored Programs 2007-2013 and the Membrane Science, Engineering and Technology (MAST) Center 2013-2016.

MAST Center Director Ranil Wickramasinghe, a Distinguished Professor of chemical engineering and holder of the Ross E. Martin Chair in Emerging Technologies, said Wilmoth was instrumental in establishing the center, a global leader in membrane research.

"Importantly, she laid the foundation for us to take over as the lead site of this four-university National Science Foundation Industry and University Cooperative Research Center," Wickramasinghe said.

Wilmoth became the inaugural engineering research coordinator for the College of Engineering in 2016.

Associate Dean for Research Sandra Eksioglu, holder of the Jim M. and Marie G. Hefley Professorship in Logistics and Entrepreneurship, said Wilmoth's help has been essential as she navigated her first couple of years supervising the college's research work.

"Shelley is knowledgeable, professional, reliable, personable, helpful and kind," she said. "She has been there for me by sharing her knowledge, making me aware of resources available and providing advice."

Multiple faculty members noted how Wilmoth's advice and guidance helped put them on a path to success when they joined the college. Associate professor of civil engineering Wen Zhang said she has benefitted from Wilmoth's help across several of her roles on campus.

"She's the type of person who can always get the job done, and you know you can trust her completely," Zhang said.

Wilmoth has been invaluable to the college's research effort, said Justin Chimka, John L. Imhoff Chair in Industrial Engineering and co-director of the J.B. Hunt Innovation Center of Excellence.

"Shelley's combination of broad experience, communication skills, contacts across campus, deep knowledge of the research enterprise and unselfish effort is very rare in any organization. Every time I have wanted her advice or opinion on anything, she has responded in such a valuable way," Chimka said.

Wilmoth, her husband, Rick, and both of their daughters are all proud U of A graduates, and one of their granddaughters is a current student.

A retirement reception is planned for 1:30-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, in 4009 Bell Engineering Center, the civil engineering lounge. The college also encourages those across campus to sign this digital card by this Friday, March 29, to wish Wilmoth well in retirement.