Davis, Smith-Jackson Inducted into N.C. State Engineering Hall of Fame

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Dec. 21, 2023) – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s Lauren Davis, Ph.D., industrial and systems engineering professor in the College of Engineering, and Tonya Smith-Jackson, provost and executive vice chancellor of Academic Affairs, have been inducted into North Carolina State University’s Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering Alumni Hall of Fame.

Davis was the only recipient of the department’s 2023 Outstanding Young Alumni Award, which is bestowed upon alumni who have been out of school for less than 20 years and distinguished themselves through professional practice or service. She has mentored more than 40 master’s and doctoral industrial and systems engineering students, positively influencing their lives and the field of engineering.

“Embracing the invaluable education and transformative experiences as an alumna of N.C. State University, I am empowered to shape the future of industrial engineering,” said Davis. “My journey at N.C. State has not only equipped me with a profound understanding of the discipline but has instilled in me a passion for innovation and excellence. As a professor, I draw upon the rich foundation laid by my alma mater to inspire and guide the next generation of industrial engineers, fostering a legacy of impact, progress, and success in the lives of my students.”

Davis earned her Ph.D. in industrial and systems engineering from N.C. State.

Her work has appeared in 28 peer-reviewed journal publications, three book chapters and more than 40 refereed conference proceedings. He research interests include humanitarian logistics, supply chain optimization, and emergency preparedness and response. In addition to mentoring graduate students, she serves as a board member for Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina.

Before joining A&T, Davis spent 12 years as a senior software engineer at IBM.

Smith-Jackson was one of four to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor the department can give any graduate who has been out of school for at least 20 years and whose contributions to their profession, the community, and the department, college and university are notable and deserve special recognition.

“N.C. State University has been the cornerstone of my academic journey, providing unwavering support and a dynamic environment that seamlessly blends the realms of industrial engineering and psychology,” said Smith-Jackson. “Their commitment to excellence fueled my educational aspirations but has also empowered me to bridge the gap between two distinct disciplines, fostering a holistic approach to learning and innovation.”

Smith-Jackson earned her M.S. in interdisciplinary psychology/ergonomics and industrial and systems engineering, as well as her Ph.D. in psychology/ergonomics, from N.C. State.

She first joined A&T in 2013 as a professor and chair of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, facilitating enrollment growth and significant increases in research awards, international visibility and alumni donor participation. She also founded and directed an analytics lab and two cyber-human systems labs. In 2018, she served at the National Science Foundation for a year as program director of the Computer and Information Science and Engineering Directorate before returning to A&T in the role of interim director for the Center of Excellence in Cybersecurity, Research, Education and Outreach, then becoming senior vice provost for Academic Affairs. She served as interim provost and executive vice chancellor of Academic Affairs for 10 months before accepting the permanent post in September 2022.