Supplying the Nation with Professional Supply Chain Management

Supply chain management is an integral part of many of the modern conveniences we take for granted, and the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted its importance to the public. Recognizing the growing need for educated professionals in the field, the Association of Supply Chain Managers (ACSM) is helping Valparaiso University’s College of Business prepare future professionals to take on the global supply chain challenges with an exciting scholarship opportunity.

“The Midwest United States has a strong manufacturing and logistics industry,” Sanjay Kumar, Ph.D., professor of information and decision science and Richard E. Meier Endowed Professor of Management, says. “And Valpo is the only university in the region to have a program in supply chain and logistics management.”

Professor Kumar’s research has primarily focused on disruptions to the supply chain, including the impact of 9/11, tsunamis in Japan, and the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also been heavily involved with the Michiana chapter of ASCM, the largest nonprofit organization dealing in bettering global supply chain management, offering corporate solutions and professional training, and spreading the ideas of scholars and thought leaders.

On top of their work in the professional field, the Michiana chapter of the ASCM is working to help make sure the experts of tomorrow are ready for the challenges they’ll face with generous financial support. The ASCM scholarship for supply chain and logistics management majors at Valparaiso University is offering $6,000 to future industry leaders with high grades and a stellar history of leadership. With few programs focusing on supply chain management and 25–33% of the field’s current workforce at or past retirement age, this scholarship is helping fill a vital need in the global workforce.

“Few schools have a program or major in supply chain management. This has resulted in a shortage of educated and trained professionals,” Professor Kumar says.

In the past two years, eight students have benefited from the scholarship. One such recipient, Keenan Burgess ’22, became interested in supply chain management from an early age when he was exposed to how the profession impacts other important industries.

“I grew up in a household where both parents worked in the pharmaceutical industry,” Keenan says. “My dad specifically had to deal with nationally based customers on a daily basis. Hearing phone calls between himself and the customer organization’s supply chain manager actually sparked my interest. I then learned more about the FDA manufacturing regulations for the field. I found myself quickly trying to learn as much as I could regarding manufacturing supply chains.”

Keenan hopes his degree will let him pursue a career on the purchasing side of the pharmaceutical industry.
Andrew Serkin ’22 is another recipient of the scholarship who wants to take his education in supply chain management to Detroit’s automotive industry.

“It’s a very high job growth industry and the pandemic has highlighted how relevant the field is,” Andrew says.
The Valparaiso University supply chain management program emphasizes problem solving and negotiation skills as well as giving students a global perspective and ability to maintain good relationships. According to Professor Kumar, these skills make the program stand apart in the industry as a producer of highly skilled workers.

“We already have seen strong demand for supply chain management graduating students. The curriculum is benchmarked with top universities in the country,” Professor Kumar says. “Additionally, the curriculum is endorsed by Conexus Indiana, which represents a consortium of manufacturing and logistics companies in the state.”
According to Andrew, the Valparaiso University supply chain management program has given him an immense opportunity for personal and professional growth.

“The professors are passionate and want students to succeed. They give us real world examples to help us apply what we learn,” Andrew says.

The Valparaiso University supply chain and logistics management program gives students a foundation of arts, science, and global cultures while providing hands-on experience with software commonly found in the workplace, as well as requiring practical experience from an internship or other paid work experience. For more information on Valpo’s supply chain and logistics management program, visit valpo.edu/supplychain.