Professor
Industrial Engineering (IE)Education
BS, Industrial Engineering, University of Nebraska
MS, Industrial Engineering, University of Nebraska
PhD, Industrial and Operations Engineering, University of Michigan
Brief Bio
Dr. Kerk is a Professor at South Dakota Mines in the Industrial Engineering Department. He specializes through education, research, and consulting in ergonomics, human factors engineering, safety engineering, and American Indian STEM education initiatives. His IE degrees are from the University of Nebraska and University of Michigan. He is a Professional Engineer, Certified Safety Professional, and Certified Professional Ergonomist. He worked in manufacturing for five years, was a professor at Texas A&M University for five years and in his 28th year at Mines. He has been working with American Indian initiatives for 27 years and started the Tiospaye Scholar Program in 2008. He served as the Assistant to the Provost for Native American Initiatives and the Faculty Athletics Representative for many years. He holds professional memberships in the American Society of Safety Professionals, Human Factors & Ergonomics Society, Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers, and National Society of Professional Engineers.
Research Expertise
Earlier in his career, Dr. Kerk’s research centered on ergonomics, human factors engineering, occupational biomechanics, and safety engineering. More recently his work is focused on American Indian Initiatives at SD Mines. He serves at the Director of the Tiospaye Scholar Program which seeks to recruit, retain, and graduate increased numbers of American Indian students earning BS and graduate degrees in engineering, science, and mathematics through support in five areas: Financial, Academic, Professional, Cultural, and Social. Since its inception in 2009, the Tiospaye Scholar Program has graduated sixty-five scholars with BS degrees. Past and current support has come from NSF and private donors. Efforts are currently focused on raising two multi-million-dollar endowments to permanently sustain the program.
Teaching
Dr. Kerk has taught Work Methods (IENG 311/311L), Ergonomics (IENG 321/321L), Engineering Economics (IENG 301/302/303), Engineering Management & Labor Relations (ENGM 642), Senior Design (IENG 464/465), and Quality Methods & Teaming (IENG 241L). Since joining Mines, he has developed and taught courses in Safety Engineering (IENG 331), Industrial Hygiene (IENG 431/531), Ergonomics for Managers (ENGM 655), and Safety Management (ENGM 650). Dr. Kerk also created and directs the Occupational Safety Minor and Graduate Safety Certificate.