Eileen Van Aken completes tenure as president of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers

As the former president of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) and the current head of Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) at Virginia Tech, Eileen Van Aken is no stranger to tackling complex challenges and working directly with the next generation of industrial and systems engineers. In May 2024, she completed her term as president of IISE —  the world's largest professional society dedicated solely to the support of the profession of industrial and systems engineering. She will now serve as past president, a role that serves as a mentor for the incoming president and provides transitional support for the organization.

In a recent Q&A session, Van Aken offers insights into the evolving role of industrial engineers, the future of the institute, and how she bridges her work between academia and industry. On a more personal note, she also opens up about the mentors who shaped her path, how she applies engineering principles in everyday life, and the joys of mentoring the next generation of engineers.

Reflecting on your tenure as president of IISE, what were some of the moments that made you step back and think, “Wow, I can’t believe we accomplished this”? 

The pandemic has posed significant challenges for professional societies and associations like IISE, which rely on revenue from conference attendance. Over the past year, the executive committee has worked with volunteer leaders and IISE staff to apply principles from the book Race for Relevance, which offers guidance for professional associations on defining member value in a post-pandemic world. We've had many productive discussions on implementing these principles at IISE to enhance the value we provide to our members and customers. 

How has your role as the head of the Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech shaped your perspective on leadership in a national organization like IISE? Have you found yourself blending the two roles in unexpected ways?

These roles have been very complementary! I’ve had the opportunity to share some of the best practices we’ve implemented in our department at Virginia Tech with other academic leaders. Even more importantly, I’ve learned from universities and industries worldwide about workforce needs for graduating industrial and systems engineers — for example, the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the industry. This knowledge has helped me guide departmental actions, blending our faculty’s perspectives with insights from potential employers and peers. 

You’ve spent many years leading in the industrial and systems engineering field—how do you stay inspired and motivated in your work, both at Virginia Tech and with IISE?

I began volunteering for IISE (then called AIIE) as an undergraduate in 1985, helping organize the Mid-Atlantic Student Regional Conference which was hosted by Virginia Tech that year. Over my career, I’ve gradually taken on volunteer leadership roles with increasing scope and responsibility. This aspect of my professional life has been one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve had. I’ve gained insights into what industrial and systems engineers are doing across diverse industries and sectors globally, and learned how universities worldwide are preparing students for the future. Serving our profession is a calling I hold in the highest regard, and I look forward to continuing this journey after completing my term as past-president of IISE. 

What advice do you wish you could give your younger self when you were first starting out in industrial engineering? Is there anything you’d do differently? 

The one thing I wish I had done differently as a young researcher and faculty member in our department is to have pursued collaborations more broadly across the discipline—partnering with faculty and practitioners in areas like manufacturing systems, operations research, human factors engineering, ergonomics, and management systems. My natural inclination was to work with others in management systems (or engineering management, as it’s more commonly known), but in hindsight, I realize I could have had a greater impact by collaborating more widely. Industrial and systems engineering has so much talent, and broader collaboration could help us tackle more — and bigger — problems and opportunities.

Industrial engineering often involves finding efficient solutions to complex problems. How has this approach influenced your personal life? Do you find yourself applying industrial and systems engineering principles at home or in your daily routines?

Absolutely! I think every industrial and systems engineer I know has a set of 'eyeglasses' we wear — not just in our work but in everyday life. This perspective applies to everything from organizing your kids’ summer camp schedule, to managing the waiting line at your favorite coffee shop, to arranging your home, even down to loading the dishwasher (believe it or not!). Once an improvement specialist, always an improvement specialist. 

During your presidency at IISE, you undoubtedly faced some challenges. Was there a particular moment when you leaned on advice or lessons from a mentor to get through a tough situation? 

During the pandemic, we faced significant challenges concerning the institute's financial health. I found myself relying heavily on the experiences of past volunteer leaders. While they faced different challenges — like growing membership, expanding our international presence, and increasing cost-effectiveness — their insights proved invaluable. I’m continually inspired by the leaders who have given so much of their time and talent to our profession. There’s always work to be done to strengthen our institute and enhance the value our profession brings to society.  

What has been the most surprising or rewarding part of your journey in industrial and systems engineering so far? Any experiences that you didn’t expect to have along the way? 

Throughout my decades of research as a faculty member, I’ve focused on improving how organizations are designed and operate. This work has allowed me to make a meaningful impact, which inspires me as I look to the future. For example, solutions I’ve helped implement have saved costs, reduced time, and enhanced both employee and customer experiences. There’s simply no substitute for the feeling of making a difference. 

How do you see the role of IISE evolving, especially in fostering community among its members? And what role do you hope to play in that continued evolution? 

 The evolving role of IISE in a changing world is something our Board of Trustees has been deeply considering. With more than half of our membership now based outside the U.S., we are continuously exploring how to use digital technology to connect members to the institute, the profession, and each other. This is a challenge faced by all professional societies, but given our expertise in defining and understanding customer needs, I believe we are uniquely positioned to make a meaningful contribution in this area. 

As both a department head and a leader in IISE, you’ve mentored countless students and professionals. What’s the most fulfilling part of mentoring others in this field? 

I have absolutely loved the opportunity to mentor students, both formally — through roles as a graduate and undergraduate research advisor — and informally. After our departmental advisory board met on campus this semester, I was reminded of how meaningful it is to help students advance in their careers and how fulfilling it is to see former students grow and make an impact. This is the best part of being a faculty member and academic administrator. Your sphere of influence really expands, and I strive to make the most of that. 

What do you do outside of work to relax and recharge? Any hobbies or routines that help you maintain balance while juggling your roles at Virginia Tech and IISE? 

Outside of work, I enjoy yoga, hiking, and weightlifting. For me, this is a crucial combination of outdoor time and practicing discipline. I try to apply the concept of 'standard work,' so valued by industrial and systems engineers, to managing my life outside of work. Developing healthy habits is essential, and the strategies are often like those we use in the workplace, like creating safe practices or cost-saving methods. I love how being an industrial and systems engineer benefits my personal life. Some of my relatives might tease me about my spreadsheets, but I'm always the one they rely on to organize family events.