Russ Hibbeler graduated from the University of Illinois-Urbana with a B.S. in Civil Engineering (major in structures) and an M.S. in Nuclear Engineering. He obtained his Ph.D. in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics from Northwestern University.
Hibbeler's professional experience includes postdoctoral work in reactor safety and analysis at Argonne National Laboratory, and structural work at Chicago Bridge and Iron, Sargent and Lundy, Tucson. He has practiced engineering in Ohio, New York, and Louisiana.
He has taught at the University of Illinois-Urbana, Youngstown State University, Illinois Institute of Technology, and Union College. Hibbeler currently teaches at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette.