Angela Kuli says she was born with a hog hat in her crib. The University of Arkansas has been a part of her family’s life for four generations, and even though she was born out of state, she knew she would spend her college career ‘on the Hill.’
Her decision to major in industrial engineering also had familial roots. Angela’s father, Bill Harrison, is a 1966 graduate of the industrial engineering program and was responsible for suggesting the program after noting her love for math and computers. “Bell Engineering Center had just opened and my tour [of the building] showcased state of the art classrooms, laboratories and equipment,” Angela shared. “The obvious investment of donors in creating such a learning space, along with the engagement and enthusiasm of the students and faculty, made me want to be a part of this university.”
Angela received her B.S.I.E. from the College of Engineering in 1992, and after working 12 years at Intel Corporation, she began her career in consulting. Her company, AHK Consulting, provides engineering management and workplace learning expertise to Arkansas-based companies. Her current projects keep her busy and immersed in the latest technologies, while her volunteer work feeds her passion to help youth see themselves as successful in pursuing technical careers.
Angela’s love for her profession and the university is evident in her service projects. She is an active member of the Arkansas Academy of Industrial Engineers and is committee chair for A4U: Academy Focused on Recruitment, Retention and Readiness of Undergraduates. “We develop relationships with our [industrial engineering] students and provide them a safe place to ask real questions about career and workplace choices,” she says. In this role, she leads programs such as mock interviews, business etiquette training and professional development seminars for students.
When asked about the mock interview program, she says, “Everyone has their ‘first interview’ experience. It is our goal to provide students a safe practice field.” The Academy’s mock interviews program has been so successful that the College of Engineering now utilizes the model on a college-wide level.
In addition to her work with the Academy, she acts as a liaison between the university and P.A.R.K., Positive Atmosphere Reaches Kids, a program in central Arkansas run by Keith Jackson that provides ‘high-risk’ students the opportunity to further their education by completing high school so they can attend college. Angela is known as “the STEM lady” (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), since she brings STEM experiences to these middle and high school students. Providing exposure to cool science and technology gives her an excellent opportunity to recruit students to the U of A. Her involvement with the program has resulted in the hiring of engineering students as summer interns and the recruitment of at least one student to the university’s engineering program.
Angela feels her volunteer work is mutually beneficial. “I get to be around the students and see the world through their eyes as they discover new things” she says. “They think we’re the ones helping them, but they are keeping our minds open and perspectives fresh as well.”