Mark Schall named chair of Industrial and Systems Engineering
Published: Jun 4, 2026 11:00 AM
By Dustin Duncan
Mark Schall has been named chair of Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. Schall, a faculty member since 2015, will begin his new role Aug. 1.
Mark Schall has been named chair of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering.
Schall, whose term begins Aug. 1, has been with the industrial and systems engineering faculty since 2015, when he joined the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering as an assistant professor. Since then, he has advanced to professor, been named the Daniel F. and Josephine Breeden Professor and has served as associate department chair since 2024.
He has also served as director of the Human Integration Systems Center (HISC) (formerly known as the Center for Occupational Safety, Ergonomics, and Injury Prevention) since 2022.
“I’m honored to step into the role of department chair and excited to do so alongside such outstanding colleagues and students,” Schall said. “Our current chair, Dr. Greg Harris, has positioned us well, and I’m thrilled to build on that momentum. With the talent and commitment of our faculty, staff and students, the future of this department is incredibly bright.”
Schall earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in industrial and systems engineering from the University of Iowa. His expertise is in occupational ergonomics and human factors engineering, and he develops measurement techniques to enhance exposure assessment and improve workers' health and well-being.
Through his experience as associate department chair and director of the HISC, Schall brings a strong understanding of the department’s opportunities and challenges. In his past roles, he has collaborated with faculty to address barriers to their success, develop strategic initiatives and refine the curriculum. His contributions to the profession, including service as an editor for two academic journals, have broadened his perspective and prepared him to support the continued growth of the department’s faculty, staff and students.
Schall succeeds Harris, the Forehand/Accenture Distinguished Professor and director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Advanced Manufacturing Systems (ICAMS), who has served as chair since November 2022. Harris will continue to serve as director of ICAMS and retain his faculty appointment as professor.
Harris said he’s confident Schall will provide strong, thoughtful leadership for the department.
“I look forward to supporting him during this transition and continuing to work closely with him in the years ahead. The department is in good hands under the leadership of Dr. Mark Schall. I know the department will thrive in the coming years,” he said. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as chair and to work alongside such dedicated faculty, staff, students, alumni and partners.”
Mario Eden, dean of engineering, said Schall’s service within the college is remarkable and his leadership of the HISC has been a driving force in strengthening Auburn Engineering’s national reputation.
“I am thrilled to see Dr. Schall assume the role of chair of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. He’s a talented researcher and a trusted peer in his field, and I’m excited to work alongside him as he leads the department into its next chapter,” he said.
Eden said Harris’ leadership has significantly strengthened the department’s research enterprise, expanded its industry partnerships and elevated Auburn’s national role in advanced manufacturing systems.
“We are deeply grateful for Greg’s service as chair and look forward to the department’s continued excellence under Mark’s leadership,” he said.
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