The College of Engineering has chosen Industrial and Systems Engineering Professor Laura Albert as its inaugural senior associate dean for faculty affairs and development. In this new position, Albert will play a key role in strengthening the college’s people centered infrastructure and ensuring it invests thoughtfully and strategically in faculty success.
On campus and beyond, Albert is a proven leader. From 2021 to 2024, she was the David H. Gustafson Chair of industrial and systems engineering; under her, the department increased its size, national ranking, faculty accolades, research expenditures and scholarly output. She has served as president of the largest professional society in her field—the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS)—and is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, of INFORMS, and of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers.
She’s also a popular, accessible instructor, an influential operations research scholar and an often-quoted media source on topics ranging from airport security lines to NCAA sports brackets. Albert earned her bachelor’s, master’s and PhD degrees from the University of Illinois.
Her latest position will be her second inaugural college role: Prior to serving as ISyE chair, she was the college’s first assistant dean for graduate affairs.
As senior associate dean, Albert will lead college wide effort to elevate our faculty experience. And while her office will oversee critical career milestone activities—such as mentoring programs, reviews, promotions, recognitions and professorships—her focus will be on strengthening, rewarding and retaining people. She will ensure faculty have the encouragement, clarity and support they need, from early career development through senior leadership opportunities. She also will identify ways our faculty can gain greater visibility inside and outside the college, broadening recognition for their accomplishments.
Importantly, Albert will be a key collaborator across college departments and units, working closely with leadership at all levels to ensure our faculty experience is high quality, consistent and aligned with our strategic direction.
“Laura’s appointment marks an important step in advancing our strategic vision for the College of Engineering,” says Grainger Dean of the College of Engineering Devesh Ranjan. “She brings exceptional experience, national perspective and a record of uplifting her colleagues. Her leadership will help us build a more connected, supportive and forward looking environment for our faculty—one that strengthens mentoring, recognizes excellence, and fosters a deep sense of belonging. I’m thrilled she will be shaping this work.”
Ranjan also acknowledges the people who helped select Albert for her role. “We are grateful to the faculty and staff who served on the committee and devoted their time generously to this process,” he says. “I also would like to thank [Chief of Strategy] Lula Baker, chair of the search committee, for her leadership.”