Heather Walker serves as the Associate Department Head for the Undergraduate Program in the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of Arkansas.  She received her Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas after completing her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical engineering at the U of A. Heather joined the faculty in 1996 where she researched heavier-than-air gas releases into the atmosphere at the Chemical Hazards Research Center. In 2014, she dedicated her efforts to teaching, where her interests include thermodynamics, sustainability, and engineering education.  Heather hopes to follow in the footsteps of her great teachers in the chemical engineering department.  Known for her engaging teaching style, Heather is regularly an invited speaker at the University of Arkansas’ teaching camps and is a licensed peer observer and coach through the campus Teaching Faculty Support Center.  S

he has received the Outstanding Teaching Award from the Midwest Section of the American Society of Engineering Education in 2021. In 2022, she received the university’s Imhoff Award, which recognizes faculty who excel in teaching introductory courses and mentoring students. That same year, Heather was also awarded the Outstanding Teaching Award for Non-Tenure Track faculty in the College of Engineering. In 2023, she received the Ro Di Brezzo Award for Outstanding Service to Teaching on the University of Arkansas campus and was inducted into the UA Teaching Academy. In January 2024, Heather was invited to give the plenary address at the UA Winter Teaching Symposium, which hosted over 300 faculty across the UA campus.  Heather is married to her husband, Doug, and they have three grown daughters. 

Arkansas Academy of Chemical Engineers, 2024.