Will Kirschenman came to NC State to bring together operations research, military experience, and service-oriented problem-solving. A Ph.D. candidate in Operations Research, Will studies combinatorial optimization methods for packing and loading problems, with a focus on arranging items so they can be retrieved efficiently for downstream logistics needs. His dissertation work connects algorithm design with practical operations, including military logistics applications motivated by large-scale deployment and amphibious operations, while also extending to settings such as warehousing and multi-stop delivery. After earning his Ph.D., Kirschenman will join the faculty in the Operations Research Department at the Naval Postgraduate School, where he hopes to continue teaching, researching, and helping develop the next generation of military operations research analysts.

Tell us about your journey to graduate school and what led you to NC State.
I earned my undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and later completed a Master of Science in Operations Research at George Mason University. While I already had a strong foundation in operations research, I wanted to go much deeper into research and push on difficult, worthwhile problems at the edge of what current algorithms and computing can do. One of my professors at George Mason, Dr. Karla Hoffman, was a major influence and one of the biggest reasons I kept a Ph.D. in mind as a long-term goal. I chose NC State because of the strength of its operations research program, the strong reputation of the ISE department, and the support it has shown for military students pursuing graduate degrees on a fixed timeline. I also grew up in Fayetteville, so being close to family and coming back home to North Carolina mattered a lot to me. I started my Ph.D. at NC State in fall 2023, and it quickly felt like the right place for both my research and my family.

Tell us about your research and/or teaching experience.
My research is primarily in combinatorial optimization, which focuses on decision problems where the number of possible solutions grows so quickly that finding a provably optimal solution can become computationally impractical. My dissertation focuses on packing and loading problems: how to place items in containers, bins, or vehicles in a way that is spatially efficient while also supporting how those items need to be retrieved. In practice, that might mean loading items so they can be offloaded in a particular sequence, grouped for mission needs, or arranged to support a larger logistics objective. My work began with generalized prioritized packing and expanded into military-focused applications, including problems motivated by large-scale logistics operations in contested environments. More broadly, the methods can also apply to warehouse operations, multi-stop delivery route planning, and other logistics systems where loading decisions affect downstream performance. To solve these problems, I use a mix of exact and approximate optimization methods, including mixed-integer programming, heuristics, metaheuristics, and matheuristics. On the teaching and mentoring side, I have also enjoyed helping newer students build technical skills, including putting together a programming module for incoming Ph.D. students in our department.

How has NC State helped you with your professional development?
NC State and my department have helped my professional development in a number of important ways. Any opportunity to present my research, get feedback, and attend conferences has been incredibly valuable, and I have been fortunate to receive strong support for those experiences. I was also invited to present at one of our weekly seminar sessions, which gave me the chance to do a full dry run of my dissertation defense and sharpen how I communicate my research to a broader audience. Beyond research, I have had opportunities to mentor other students, contribute technical training for incoming Ph.D. students, and help faculty and peers think through emerging tools such as AI and agentic coding in a responsible way. One of the most valuable parts of my experience has been the strong community within the operations research program and my department, especially among military students, where collaboration and mutual support have played a big role in my growth.

What advice do you have for new or current graduate students?
My biggest advice is to trust the process. Graduate research is rarely linear, and there will be stretches where an idea does not work out or where progress feels slower than you hoped, but that does not mean the effort was wasted. A lot of growth happens through trial and error, and your abilities will develop throughout the process if you stay engaged and keep learning. I would also strongly recommend being intentional with time management and organization, especially when you are balancing school with work, family, or other responsibilities. Having a plan, even an imperfect one, is far better than trying to move forward without one. Finally, do not try to do everything alone. Talking with peers, mentors, friends, and family can make a huge difference during difficult periods, both practically and emotionally.

What does being an NC State graduate student mean to you?
Being an NC State graduate student has felt like a homecoming for me. I grew up in North Carolina, and even before my military career took me around the country and the world, NC State always stood out to me as a place closely connected to engineering, problem solving, and service. Coming back here for my Ph.D. has given me the chance to reconnect with my roots while being part of a program with a strong sense of community. The word that best describes my experience is probably community. I have felt supported by peers, faculty, and the department from every angle, and that support made it possible to grow through the challenges of the program. I am proud to have come through NC State and grateful for how much stronger the experience has made me.

What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I will be joining the faculty in the Operations Research Department at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. In that role, I will be teaching, continuing to engage in research, and supporting the department’s broader mission, including helping develop many of the military students who come through the program. Long term, I hope to use this next chapter to contribute both technically and personally by helping shape the next generation of operations research analysts. I have benefited from mentors and leaders who had a major impact on my career, and I would like to have that same kind of positive influence on others.

Fun fact about yourself.
I was classically trained in piano and even received a couple of scholarship offers to attend music school before ultimately choosing West Point. I’ve continued playing over the years at churches, weddings, and other events.

Learn more about the Ph.D. in Operations Research