Missie Smith
Auburn University
Assistant Professor
Certified Human Factors Professional, Board of Certified Professional Ergonomists, 2021
Ph.D., Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 2018
M.S., Industrial and Systems Engineering, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, 2012
B.S., Industrial and Systems Engineering, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, 2010
I am honored to be nominated for the role of HFES Secretary-Treasurer. HFES has been my professional home since I was an undergraduate student, and I have remained deeply engaged with the society throughout my academic and professional journey. Over the years, HFES has provided me with a community of mentors, collaborators, and colleagues, and I am committed to ensuring the society continues to provide value to its members at every stage of their careers.
Since 2024, I have been an Assistant Professor at Auburn University, where I lead research on human-centered design for emerging technologies. From 2020 to 2024, I worked at Meta as a Research Scientist, conducting applied human factors research on augmented and mixed reality systems. Prior to that, I served as an Assistant Professor at Oakland University from 2018 to 2020. Across these roles, I have worked in both industry and academic settings and have been on both sides of cross-sector collaborations. These experiences have given me a well-rounded perspective on the practical, organizational, and strategic needs of HFES members. I understand the importance of bridging research and application and the value of grounding innovation in human-centered design principles, especially in safety-critical and rapidly evolving domains.
I currently serve as Chair of the HFES Education and Training Committee, where we are working to support HFES member and external stakeholder needs for human factors education. From 2022 to 2024, I served on the HFES Leadership Development Committee, helping to shape opportunities for growth and leadership within the society. I also served as Events Chair for the HFES Women’s Organization for Mentoring and Networking from 2021 to 2022. As a student, I was President at Virginia Tech in 2014 where our chapter earned a Gold Award, and as Secretary at Mississippi State University from 2011 to 2012.
I bring experience managing research budgets in both academic and industry settings, where I have also mentored students and led interdisciplinary initiatives. I value transparency, clear communication, and strategic alignment in how resources are used. If elected Secretary-Treasurer, I will take a detail-oriented and collaborative approach to stewarding HFES finances. One of my top priorities is to strengthen the society’s ability to grow and retain its membership. I believe strong financial stewardship should not only sustain HFES operations but also empower the society to deliver greater value to members through impactful programming, increased visibility, and smart, forward-looking investments.
I would be honored to serve as your Secretary-Treasurer and help steward HFES toward a strong, inclusive, and sustainable future.