Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Jalel Ben Hmida and the Online LSU Industrial Engineering Programs
When students enter LSU’s online Industrial Engineering programs, they’re stepping into a learning environment shaped by someone who has walked the line between academia and industry across three continents. Dr. Jalel Ben Hmida brings experience as a professor, an engineer, and a data scientist, and he channels that perspective directly into the online classroom. His approach blends industry relevance and global insight, giving working professionals the kind of education they can put to use immediately.
Meet Dr. Jalel Ben Hmida
Tell us about yourself and your background.
I’m Jalel Ben Hmida, the Industrial Engineering Online Programs Coordinator at LSU. My career bridges academia and industry: a PhD in Systems Engineering, an MS in Production Control & Automation, and a BS in Electrical Engineering, plus work as a Professor of Practice and a Data Scientist in the oilfield sector. Having lived and worked across Tunisia, the U.S., and France, I bring a global view of how engineering and analytics create value across industries.
What makes the online programs you teach unique?
We combine academic rigor with industry relevance and real-world application. The online MSIE is fully online and intentionally flexible for working professionals; students immediately apply tools in analytics, quality, human factors, project management, and operations to challenges in energy, IT, manufacturing, healthcare, banking, transportation, and public services. The result is data-driven, practice-ready learning that meets today’s industry demands.
How do you help students understand the real-world relevance of course materials in an online setting?
Every concept connects to a concrete problem. Students analyze authentic datasets (manufacturing, healthcare, logistics), frame assignments as mini consulting projects, and often use their own workplace as a case study; so, the impact shows up on the job, not just on paper.
What is your favorite topic to teach? Why?
Data analytics and optimization, where engineering intuition meets statistical and computational thinking. It’s rewarding to watch students use analytics to uncover patterns, improve efficiency, and make better decisions that move key performance metrics in the right direction.
How do you ensure student success in an online environment?
Clear structure, fast feedback, and real support. I design modules to be actionable with worked examples, hold virtual office hours, and respond quickly with detailed guidance. The goal is simple: keep students progressing and connected while balancing work and life.
What advice do you have for learners who are considering this program?
Engage early, ask questions, and bring your experience into the coursework. The more you connect projects to your context, the more you’ll accelerate your growth in analytics, quality, and systems optimization; skills our graduates use to lead improvement and innovation across sectors.
Is there anything else you’d like us to know?
Our online classrooms are diverse: students come from healthcare, energy, manufacturing, government, and beyond; and that diversity elevates discussion, teamwork, and outcomes. If you’re seeking a flexible, high-impact path to leadership in industrial engineering, LSU’s online MSIE meets you where you are and helps you get where you want to go.
Here's what you’ll gain in LSU’s online MSIE:
- Expertise in high-demand IE areas: project management, logistics, operations research, human factors, quality, reliability
- Data-driven problem-solving: statistical analysis, experimental design, and introductory machine learning for real decisions
- Hands-on practice: apply IE methods to production and service systems, with deliverables you can use at work
- Career growth and impact: stand out for roles in engineering, supply chain, analytics, and operations with a flexible, 100% online format tailored to professionals
Benefit from Faculty that Helps Students Thrive
Dr. Ben Hmida’s courses give learners more than theory. Students leave with the tools and ability to solve real problems in their workplaces. The online MS in Industrial Engineering, along with graduate certificates in Healthcare Analytics and Healthcare Systems Engineering, is built for professionals who want a clear path to advancement without pausing their careers. With flexible coursework, applied learning, and support from faculty who understand industry expectations, LSU Online makes it possible for students to move forward at a pace that fits their lives.
If you’re interested in opportunities to expand your technical skills, sharpen your analytical thinking, or prepare for leadership in engineering and operations, explore the online industrial engineering programs from LSU.
Ready to reach your goals?
Take the first step forward by completing the form and our enrollment team will contact you soon to discuss:
- What program meets your academic and career goals
- Financial aid options (employer funding, military benefits)
- Receiving credit for past education (transfer, professional development)
- The admissions process and timeline
