Dr. Silke Spiesshoefer has been appointed as the new Department Head of Engineering in the College of Business and Industry at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith. Dr. Spiesshoefer will officially begin her new role on August 10, 2026. Dr. Spiesshoefer most recently served as CFO, COO, and Contracting Director at Ozark Integrated Circuits, Inc. in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where she advanced from Director of Product Development into executive leadership over the course of seven years. Dr. Spiesshoefer is an active leader in the engineering profession, most recently serving on the IEEE Region 5 Awards Committee, the IEEE USA Awards & Recognition Committee, and the IEEE MGA Awards & Recognition Committee. She has previously served as Chair of the IEEE Ozark Section and in multiple leadership roles within IEEE Region 5. She is also an active member of ASEE, AIChE, IEEE HKN, and IEEE WIE. Dr. Spiesshoefer earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, her Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, and her Doctor of Philosophy in Microelectronics-Photonics, all from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. She also holds a Master of Business Administration from Webster University in St. Louis.