She received her Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Clemson University. Her industrial experience includes more than five years as a product and process improvement engineer in the U.S. textile industry. Dr. Kovach is certified in Six Sigma Black Belt training, and she directs the Lean Six Sigma professional training program for the College of Technology. Her current research investigates how quality/continuous improvement approaches affect performance and/or decision-making within organizations, expanding the use of these methods, and developing new improvement approaches. Her work has been published in a wide variety of peer-reviewed journals, books, etc. Dr. Kovach was recognized as the 2010 ASQ Feigenbaum Medalist for her work, and she became a full Academician in the International Academy for Quality in 2015.