Dr. Susan Ely is an Assistant Professor of Engineering and the Director of Manufacturing Engineering Technology and Industrial Supervision at USI. She received her bachelors in industrial engineering from Rutgers University and both her masters in Industrial Technology and PhD in Supply Chain Management from Purdue. Ely began her career as an industrial engineer in pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing before moving into project engineering, specializing in Lean Six Sigma and supply chain management.
After nearly a decade of work in industry, she began her teaching career where she served as a chair, dean, and clinical instructor for several engineering programs at different institutions. Her research focuses on Lean Six Sigma solutions in a wide variety of industries, as well as global supply chain resiliency. She also researches how to retain women in engineering programs and serves as the faculty advisor for the Society of Women Engineers chapter. She maintains an active status with industry through consulting practices. Ely also holds numerous credentials including Certified Quality Engineer from the American Society of Quality and a Black Belt in Six Sigma.