Needy Named Interim Dean of Graduate School and International Education at U of A

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Kim LaScola Needy

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Kim LaScola Needy, head of the department of industrial engineering in the College of Engineering, has been named interim dean of the Graduate School and International Education, effective April 10.

Needy has served as a department head since 2008. The department of industrial engineering has the largest graduate program on campus, the Master of Science in Operations Management. Needy has also served on the Dean of the Graduate School and International Education Advisory Committee.

“The Graduate School and International Education is doing tremendous things on campus, including increasing the numbers of graduate students and international students. I am glad to have the opportunity to be a part of this organization,” said Needy.

Prior to her work at the University of Arkansas she was at the University of Pittsburgh. She has also worked in industry at the Boeing Company.

Needy participated in the Southeastern Conference University Academic Leadership Development Program in 2010-2011, and currently serves as president of her professional association, the Institute of Industrial Engineers.

“I am pleased that Kim Needy agreed to take on this important leadership position,” said Sharon Gaber, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Her experience and ability to move programs forward will be helpful to the Graduate School and International Education in their current period of growth.”

Needy serves as interim dean after the school’s former dean, Todd Shields, was named dean of Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences in March.

Needy earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in industrial engineering at the University of Pittsburgh and her doctorate at Wichita State University.