Industrial and systems students lead conference
Texas A&M students put industrial engineering principles into practice by bringing together chapters from across the region for the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) South-Central Regional Conference in February.
Texas A&M IISE officers pose during the South-Central Regional Conference, hosted on campus Feb. 19-21.
Texas A&M University industrial and systems engineering students stepped into the role of hosts, leaders and ambassadors as they brought the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) South-Central Regional Conference to campus.
From Feb. 19-21, Texas A&M’s IISE chapter welcomed peers from across the region for professional development, networking and collaboration. Supported by the Wm Michael Barnes ’64 Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, the conference highlighted the chapter’s organizational skills and initiative.
The three-day event drew 125 registered participants representing 13 universities across Texas and neighboring states. Some attendees traveled more than 600 miles to join the conference in College Station, highlighting the event’s regional reach and significance.
“What amazed me was seeing everyone’s talents come together to make this event possible,” said Skylee McLoud, senior industrial engineering student and chapter president. “From planning the theme and marketing to coordinating volunteers and designing conference materials, every officer and committee member contributed something unique. It was incredible to watch our individual efforts merge into a successful event that felt bigger than any one of us could accomplish alone.”
Noor Hakim, senior industrial engineering student and conference chair, described the weekend as both fast paced and deeply rewarding after nine months of preparation.
“The weekend truly flew by,” Hakim said. “It felt surreal to finally see everything come to life. What stood out most to me was how real it all felt once students began arriving — the energy, decorations and conversations. It was incredibly rewarding.”
The conference opened with a welcome reception that introduced guests to Texas A&M traditions and campus culture.
Over three days, attendees participated in plant tours, professional development sessions, a presidents’ roundtable, a student advice panel featuring alumni and a research paper competition. Laboratory tours offered visiting students a firsthand look at research in the industrial and systems engineering department, further emphasizing the academic environment that nurtures student leadership.
Industry representatives from companies including Xylem, Tesla, Spirit AeroSystems, Boeing and Baker Hughes participated as guests and as speakers, offering students insight into real-world industrial and systems engineering applications.
Students had opportunities to network with industry professionals, learn about diverse career paths and gain practical advice from alumni and speakers. I also hope we successfully showcased the Spirit of Aggieland and demonstrated how impactful an IISE degree can be across industries.”
“It made me incredibly proud,” Hakim said. “We often hear perceptions about Texas A&M from outside the university, and I hoped this conference would give attendees an authentic, welcoming experience of our culture. Watching students from different universities connect, collaborate and share ideas reinforced the purpose of the conference — building community within the industrial engineering field.”
The weekend also held personal significance for Colin Sellers, junior industrial engineering major and the chapter’s director of professional development.
“One of the most meaningful moments of the conference for me was seeing my former classmates from the University of Houston and how excited they were to be there,” he said. “Seeing students from other schools interact with Texas A&M faculty, staff and chapter members reminded me what it felt like to experience the Spirit of Aggieland for the first time. Students were able to see both the professional resources and community that define Texas A&M.”
From organizing logistics and designing conference materials to coordinating plant tours and competitions, the Texas A&M IISE chapter took ownership of every detail, demonstrating what student leadership can accomplish when given space to innovate.
“I hope the biggest impact was connection, both professionally and personally,” Hakim said. “Students had opportunities to network with industry professionals, learn about diverse career paths and gain practical advice from alumni and speakers. I also hope we successfully showcased the Spirit of Aggieland and demonstrated how impactful an IISE degree can be across industries.”
To IISE faculty adviser Dr. Erick Moreno-Centeno, the conference reflected the dedication and leadership of the student organizers who committed nearly a year to planning the event.
“I could not be prouder of our students,” Moreno-Centeno said. “The feedback was outstanding. Everyone I spoke with commented on how exceptional it was, including IISE President Sunderesh S. Heragu and South-Central Regional Vice President Chris Tonn, who were both in attendance.” ‘
As attendees departed campus, student leaders reflected not only on a successful event but on the growth and unity it fostered within their organization. By hosting the conference with departmental support in the background, the Texas A&M IISE chapter reinforced its role as a regional leader and underscored the collaborative culture that defines industrial and systems engineering at Texas A&M University.
