Industrial & Systems Engineering Newsletter
A Message from Our Chair
Welcome to the inaugural issue of the fall newsletter for Liberty University Industrial & Systems Engineering. It has been an incredible year with amazing student placements, internship stories, leadership opportunities, and our new ISE Faculty hire Dr. Felix Asare. I welcome you to read some of the articles to learn more about our students and our program.
Best regards,
Diana J. Schwerha, PhD
Chair, Computer, Electrical, and Industrial & Systems Engineering
Professor, Industrial & Systems Engineering
Liberty University School of Engineering
Life After Liberty
Transitioning from college to professional life can be both exciting and a bit daunting. We reached out to recent grads to learn about their experiences in new roles and adjusting to life beyond Liberty.
Matthew Nenninger
This past spring, two-term Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) President and four-year Liberty University Marching Band member Matthew Nenninger graduated, passing the IISE baton to his successor, Obed Berthe. We caught up with Matt to reflect on his time at the Liberty University School of Engineering and to see how IISE shaped his journey.
By his junior year, Matt had a clear vision for the IISE student chapter, inspiring him to run for president. He enjoyed being part of the club’s growth during its formative years, noting how the role helped him build invaluable communication and interpersonal skills. “It was a really cool experience for me to help get the club going… and I couldn’t have done it alone,” Matt said.
When asked about the benefits of leading IISE as president, Matt shared that it connected him with the national industrial engineering community and that these experiences have been integral to his current job at Lowe’s. “My job here isn’t just data analysis or running models. It’s about talking with people and figuring out how to make their jobs easier,” he explained. “It’s a lot of social skills, on-the-fly problem-solving, and making sure you can communicate with all the different stakeholders.”
Matt’s service to IISE and Liberty University was recognized when he earned second place in the prestigious IISE James W. Barany Award, which honors students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship, leadership, and involvement within their ISE chapter. “It was really cool to have that opportunity … and represent Christ on that stage,” he reflected, adding that he leaned on his faith through every challenge in his academic career. “I couldn’t have gotten through all of this without God.” Dr. Schwerha, Department Chair and Professor, was delighted to nominate Matt for this award, “Matthew Nenninger has shown an exceptional level of leadership rarely seen in students. His friendliness and optimism have been a significant factor in the growth of the club. In addition to winning this award, Matthew also won the Liberty University School of Engineering Outstanding Student Award in Industrial & Systems Engineering for 2024.”
While Industrial and Systems Engineering covers a broad field, Matt’s work remains people-focused, requiring him to communicate with individuals at all levels— “from starting-level engineers to VPs and senior vice presidents.” Reflecting on his college experience, Matt noted that it equipped him not only with technical knowledge but also with the social and interpersonal skills necessary to navigate complex workplace dynamics and fulfill a variety of work requirements.
When asked about the most rewarding part of IISE, Matt emphasized the importance of building connections. IISE provided a platform to share experiences and form lasting networks. Being part of it pushed him outside his comfort zone, helping him forge friendships that will last a lifetime. In every way, Matt seems ready to embrace his future with confidence.
Henry Thomas
We also sat down with Henry Thomas and discussed his motivation to join ROTC and ISE. Thomas said that when he started to think about his career, he wanted to be part of something a lot larger than himself. He said that he was, “fairly driven by having a purpose with my job” and that he wanted to get an education in engineering. Being in ISE and joining ROTC was a way to combine his two main goals.
Thomas received his ROTC scholarship right out of high school and that enabled him to come to Liberty. Being in both programs has been challenging and has provided the constant motivation to succeed. He mentioned that having the responsibility to succeed in school and ROTC “helped to build my character.”
When asked about some of the best things that he has learned so far, Thomas said that the leadership skills he gained from ROTC will help him run an organization, process, or system well. ROTC has taught him a lot about himself and how he handles stress and responsibility at the same time. He mentioned that his ISE skills learned will help him specifically when he works in the military areas of weapons, maintenance, and logistics.
Thomas said that after graduation he was selected for the Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) in munitions and missile maintenance. The AFSC works with ammo airmen, nuclear airmen, and any other airmen that are handling our ammunition systems. At this point he does not know the base to which he will be stationed. After graduation and before his assignment, he will complete training in Texas.
Asked about what advice to give to younger students, Thomas said, “I would say that someone should not join ROTC for the sole reason of getting your degree paid for. Because it is not as easy as you might think…think about if you really want to join the military and serve your country and do something greater than yourself.”
Industrial and Systems Assistant Professor Michael Zamperini is very supportive of Thomas and the other LUSE ROTC students, “As a former military officer, I love to see the ROTC work being done at Liberty. It is rewarding to watch soon-to-be officers like Henry grow in their leadership skills as they grow academically and spiritually.”
Mikayla Carnathan
Mikayla Carnathan shared her recent experiences transitioning into a new job, moving away from Liberty, and adjusting to life beyond college.
Mikayla began her first job at Procter & Gamble in Pennsylvania, working on a tissue production line for Puffs, Charmin, and Bounty paper products. She noted that Procter & Gamble’s past collaboration with Toyota has led to highly standardized processes, making her feel as if she’s gaining a ‘master’s degree’ in P&G operations.
Mikayla stated that she chose P&G because of its strong people-focused culture, saying, “You have to know what you can do every single day, and I knew I could not sit behind a desk every day”. Her role allows her to troubleshoot on the production floor, directly impacting and improving her colleagues’ work experiences. Outside of work, she’s thankful for the blessing of a beautiful park nearby and a supportive local church family.
Jackson Seely
Jackson Seely landed at Textron Specialized Vehicles, in a division known as Textron Ground Support Equipment (GSE). His facility in Cartersville, GA, produces small tractors, belt loaders, vehicles for towing aircraft, and de-icer units to prevent planes from freezing. Jackson’s daily responsibilities include layout planning, process improvement, and ergonomics.
Jackson’s journey to Textron started with a capstone project, which paved the way to an internship and eventually a full-time offer. He attributes much of his success to his senior ISE courses, particularly those focusing on process improvement. Liberty’s smaller program allowed him to build close relationships with professors and develop friendships he expects will last a lifetime.
Jackson emphasized the importance of choosing a company with a good culture, “Even though, a job might pay really well, or it might be an industry that you are really interested in, I think it is important to look into the culture of the company,” he advised. He also stressed the value of being close to family, adding, “If they need help, I can be there, and that’s very important to me.”
Isabella John
Like Jackson, Isabella John joined Textron, but in a different location in Georgia. Isabella accepted a position at Textron Specialized Vehicles after interning there two previous summers (2022 and 2023).
As an industrial engineer at Textron Specialized Vehicles—a business unit of Textron—Isabella shared that her, “main responsibilities are parts optimization and analysis” for products like golf carts, utility vehicles, airport equipment, snowmobiles, and lawn equipment. She focuses on optimizing workstation layouts, designing racks for parts, and collaborating with the tool and die department or fulfillment team to fabricate or procure these components
Reflecting on the transition, Isabella shared that she’s increasingly comfortable and enjoys applying concepts from her studies, like lean manufacturing and ergonomics, to enhance safety and efficiency.
Student Success Stories
Liberty University Industrial and Systems Engineering students presented at several conferences during 2024. During the spring, three Liberty University School of Engineering students (John Hutchinson, Elias Pagurko, and Carolina Lugo) presented their research at the Systems and Information Engineering Design Symposium (SIEDS) at the University of Virginia. Hutchinson and Pagurko were both ISE undergraduates at the time and presented research related to their honors and capstone projects. Prior to 2024, no Liberty University School of Engineering student had presented at the conference.
Doctoral student Carolina Lugo presented her research titled, “Evaluating the Implications of Regional Variability Under Proposed Policy Targets to Understand Its Impact on the Dynamics of Electric Vehicle (EV) Ownership.” Carolina stated that, “the research that I’m currently working on has to do the electric vehicles and their impact on the grid and the energy sources that they’ll be drawing the energy to charge them.”
Lugo was excited to present at SIEDS so that she could receive feedback from individuals from a variety of backgrounds. She mentioned that this would enable her to produce even better work in the future.
When asked about how she had time to write the paper and attend the conference (especially at the end of the year), she mentioned it all boils down to time management. She recommended that students work with their advisors to create deadlines and learn to manage their time so that they can meet the deadlines.
Carolina’s advisor, Dr. Schwerha, stated that, “I was proud that Elias, John, and Carolina all submitted papers and presented at the conference. It was a great opportunity for them to present their research and network with the systems engineering community.”
In September, ISE Junior Rebecca Hooper presented her research at the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) Region VI Annual Meeting in Myrtle Beach, SC. Ms. Hooper currently serves as the President of the Liberty University official student chapter of the ASSP.
The title of her presentation was, “Implementing 5S for a Safer Work Environment.” She performed this research while at her summer internship at a large commercial HVAC company. Her work focused on the “setting in order” and “standardizing” elements of 5S.
Ms. Hooper mentioned that students never think that they have enough time to take the effort to submit and present their research, but that it’s worth the effort. Specifically, she mentioned that she benefitted in two ways: 1) she solicited constructive feedback from Mountain Valley ASSP members so that she could improve her presentations in the future, and 2) she received networking help from several local ASSP members who offered to share professional career opportunities.
When asked about what she learned most from presenting, she mentioned that she was blessed by all the support from ASSP members and when considering that first job after graduation, she wants to ensure companies invest in the personal growth of their employees.
Internships – Gaining Clarity and Insight
Internships play a vital role in shaping students’ careers, offering opportunities to gain real-world experience, make professional connections, and gain clarity about their futures. From Armenia to Universal Studios, Liberty University Industrial & Systems Engineering students gain a wide range of experiences in their internships. Katey, David, and Anna all learned critical professional skills, but perhaps more importantly, they discovered personal and spiritual growth along the way. Whether it was gaining clarity on career goals, expanding technical skills, or learning the importance of relationships in the workplace, these internships provided them with invaluable experiences that will shape their future careers.
Their journeys also highlight the importance of perseverance, networking, and being open to unexpected opportunities, as each intern navigated a unique set of challenges and found success in their own way. The experiences of Katey, David, and Anna serve as a reminder that internships are not just about building resumes—they’re about gaining insights, building relationships, and aligning one’s work with personal values and goals. Whether in the U.S., Armenia, or beyond, internships offer opportunities that shape both professional and personal growth, and the lessons learned often extend far beyond the workplace.
Katey Craig
During the 2023–2024 academic year, Katey embarked on an exciting 10-month internship with Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.
At Universal, Katey gained technical skills with new software, while also learning how to turn data insights into actionable business strategies. The experience provided more than just technical expertise—it helped her clarify her career aspirations and align her academic coursework with real-world applications.
One of Katey’s key takeaways was the value of starting internships early in a degree program to build a stronger resume and enhance the chances of landing competitive roles later on. This internship not only enriched her professional skills but also gave her clarity on her career goals, an invaluable lesson she carries forward.
Katey considers long-term internships like her experience at Universal Studios to be invaluable; however, she also advises caution: committing to a long-term internship is best when students have a sense of their career direction. Long or short, internships early on in one’s degree are an excellent way to gain clarity about career goals.
David Owen
David Owen’s summer internship with Anderson Windows and Doors in Dubuque, Iowa, exceeded his expectations in many ways. At Anderson, David worked on several innovative projects, including a 50-foot-wide sliding door for a California client and unique custom windows.
His main project focused on improving the process for reordering defective wood pieces using Lean/Six Sigma methodologies. Throughout his internship, he collaborated closely with machine operators, learning from their wealth of experience and gaining practical insights into process improvements.
David viewed his role as “the hands and feet of Christ,” working to give operators a voice and contribute to the betterment of the system.
Beyond technical skills, David’s experience underscored the importance of perseverance and networking. Even after securing a positive internship experience, he continued attending career fairs and networking with companies like Abbott. His journey demonstrated the power of persistence and being open to God’s guidance—especially when unexpected opportunities, like the Iowa placement, proved to be a perfect fit.
Anna Aintablian
Anna Aintablian’s internship with Birthright Armenia offered her a unique opportunity to connect with her Armenian heritage while gaining valuable professional experience. Anna, whose family roots trace back to Armenia, was thrilled to apply for this program that connects people of Armenian descent with internships in Armenia.
Anna was initially paired with Armit Labs, a nonprofit focused on bringing engineering education to Armenian students. Although she hoped for a teaching role, language barriers led her to work with the business team to redesign the company’s website. Despite her limited experience in marketing, Anna applied her engineering problem-solving skills, approaching the task with a logical mindset that helped her contribute meaningfully to the redesign.
Unlike the fast-paced, task-oriented work environment in the U.S., she found that Armenians place greater value on relationships and collaboration. Anna appreciated how people in Armenia took time to check in with one another, focusing less on completing tasks and more on fostering connections. This shift in perspective fundamentally changed how she views work, emphasizing the importance of relationships over task completion.
ISE Professor Spotlight
Dr. Asare joined the Industrial & Systems Engineering department in August 2024. Originally from Ghana, Dr. Asare has a rich academic history, positioning him well to contribute to the growing Engineering program at Liberty. He earned his B.S. at the University of Cape Coast in Mathematics and Business. After completing his undergraduate degree, he did a year of national service before moving to Athens, OH, where he earned his M.S. in Mathematics and Ph.D. in Industrial & Systems Engineering at Ohio University.
While at Ohio University, he worked with Dr. Tao Yuan, Chair of Industrial & Systems Engineering, on reliability research focusing on building machine learning models to predict anomalies or failures, such as predicting when engineering systems are likely to fail. Dr. Yuan shared that “It has been a great pleasure to work with Felix in reliability modeling and data analysis. Felix is an excellent scholar with a strong methodological background in data science and reliability engineering. He works diligently, and his research has the potential to make significant contributions to many important industry sectors, such as semiconductors, renewable energy, and advanced engineering materials.”
When asked why he chose Liberty University, Dr. Asare mentioned that he was drawn by Liberty’s mission to “Train champions for Christ.” He shared, “I thought it was a good thing to come to Liberty, and so far, it has been nothing short of amazing.” Dr. Asare also was eager to join the ISE team that includes Dr. Schwerha, Professor Zamperini, Dr. Schweitzer, and Dr. Van Voorhis.
Asare described the students at Liberty as smart, eager to participate, and engaging, saying, “They come to your office hours, and they want to interact with you.” Despite acknowledging the challenges of a professor’s first term, he finds teaching enjoyable, especially with the high level of student interest.
Given Liberty’s emphasis on faith-learning integration, we asked Dr. Asare how he merges his faith with his teaching. He stresses the importance of following Jesus’ model of caring for others, noting that Jesus was always concerned with “how his disciples and everyone was doing.” Therefore, Dr. Asare makes a point at the beginning of every class to ask how his students are doing, extending this care into mentoring and teaching.
“Dr. Asare has been such a blessing to our students, our faculty, and the Liberty University community,” mentioned Dr. Diana J. Schwerha, the Chair of Computer, Electrical and Industrial & Systems Engineering, “He brings a passion for teaching and research abilities in the areas of Reliability and Operations Research—the students are greatly benefitting from him choosing the Liberty University School of Engineering.”
When asked how he is enjoying Lynchburg, Dr. Asare shared that it reminds him of Athens, OH: “Everything is close, and there’s a sense of community.” We’re glad he feels at home—welcome to Liberty, Dr. Asare!