Andrea Graham, Ph.D.

Dean and Associate Professor

Dr. Andrea Graham believes her modest beginnings in a rural South Carolina town have helped guide her journey and shape her career mission and philosophy.

After 10 years working in the private sector as a senior subject-matter expert in technical engineering, Graham felt a larger calling for her career. She wanted to build bridges, literally and figuratively, to span the gap between industry and academia.

She earned her doctorate in industrial engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2012 and joined the faculty at A&M-Commerce in 2013. She's never looked back. She aims to create pathways to innovation and access to a better way of life for future generations.

A Conversation with Dr. Graham

What would you tell a student who is thinking about attending A&M-Commerce?

Our students are the number one priority here. Every student is important to us. You will never be a nameless face at A&M-Commerce and that's a promise. Our campus is full of friendly and smiling faces, professors who genuinely care and staff who will go out of their way to help. In the Department of Engineering and Technology, you will be nurtured, motivated and challenged to think critically while developing innovative solutions to real-world problems. We are here to help you realize your potential impact in the world.

What draws you to your discipline?

I am drawn to the challenge that engineering presents. Imagine, every day, solving a problem that ultimately improves the lives of many, working on teams where everyone is driven to ensure that a product is built to perfection, or developing a process that saves a company time and money. I was drawn to higher education because I wanted to bridge the gap between education and industry. Being the catalyst to bring the brightest minds in academia together with the innovative prowess of those in industry is an exciting endeavor. Imagine the problems we can solve working together!

What has been your favorite course to teach?

My absolute favorite course to teach is Introduction to Engineering and Technology. This is a first-semester course for all engineering and technology majors. The course is project-based and students are exposed to everything, including how to work in teams, improve written and verbal communication skills, and enhance problem-solving and design skills. This is where students’ engineering journey begins!

Educational Background

• Ph.D., Industrial Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington, 2012
• M.S., Technology Management, Stevens Institute of Technology, 2004
• B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Tuskegee University, 1995

Honors and Awards

• Myrna Gilstrap Creativity in Teaching Award
• Eminent Faculty Scholar
• Professor of the Year – Hunt Hopkins County African American Leadership Conference
• Tech Titan of the Future –University Finalist for Engineering Summer Program for Girls

Research Interests

• Engineering education
• Supply chain and transportation logistics
• Undergraduate recruitment and retention

Professional Organizations

• Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education (TABPHE)
• International Supply Chain Education Alliance (ISCEA)
• Society of Women Engineers, Professional Member (SWE)
• Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Senior Member (IISE)
• Alpha Pi Mu, Member
• Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, Member
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Selected Publications

• Graham, A. (2019) “Self-Study Report for Bachelors and Masters of Science in Technology Management at Texas A&M-Commerce.”
• Graham, A., Donham, B. (2017) “ABET Self-Study Report for the Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering at Texas A&M University-Commerce.”
• Graham, A., Kim, Yoon Duk, Donham, B. (2017) “ABET Self-Study Report for the Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering at Texas A&M University-Commerce.”