Association picks WMU as 'Partner of the Year,' honors student
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—For the fifth year in a row, the southwest Michigan chapter of APICS—the Association for Operations Management—has honored Western Michigan University as Educational Partner of the Year.
To be considered for the award, an institution must demonstrate student and faculty participation in APICS and its educational programs, partnering to further participation in the organization. Ken Jones, director of executive education and instructor of integrated supply management, accepted the award on behalf of WMU at a ceremony May 20 in Kalamazoo.
Student chapter president, Ashley Moyle, of Mattawan, received the Student Member of the Year award from APICS. She will transition to a director of university relations position with the Southwest Michigan APICS Chapter professional board and will focus on developing community college relations throughout the southwest Michigan region.
Nationally ranked program
"The WMU integrated supply management program works diligently at forging connections with alumni, managers and industry associations such as APICS," says Jones. "These partnerships are vital to our program being ranked 12th nationally and offering students near perfect job placement. And these connections lead to exciting initiatives like our new Bronco Force consulting program where students offer supervised professional level consulting in supply chain to area businesses."
Micheal Manchester, president of the APICS southwest Michigan chapter, notes that it is WMU's continuing involvement in the association and commitment to professional development that has helped it win the award.
"The APICS Southwest Michigan Partner of the Year is selected based upon an institution improving the education level of local employees and students by enhancing community involvement in education," says Manchester. "WMU, its APICS student chapter and the integrated supply management program have brought the APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management program to the forefront on campus. APICS certification classes offer a nice complement to the curriculum, and we continue to have an excellent relationship with WMU as we educate students about APICS and its benefits as a student and a professional. We look forward to maintaining and deepening this relationship in the future."
About APICS
Originally the American Production and Inventory Control Society, APICS, since 1957, has represented supply chain and operations management professionals as the global leader and premier source of knowledge in the industry.