Supply chain students tackle real-world challenges with Kenco and local alumnus

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—At the Haworth College of Business, Experience-Driven Learning isn’t just a tagline. It’s a way of life. For Western Michigan University students in the supply chain management program, this took the form of consulting with a local company, putting their classroom knowledge into action and partnering with a WMU Haworth alumnus. 

The collaboration came about when Dr. Sime Curkovic, professor of marketing, bumped into his former student Jake Caldwell, B.B.A.’12, MBA’18. Caldwell, director of logistics operations at Kenco Group, was eager to give back to his alma mater and Curkovic knew this collaboration would be a perfect fit for Experience-Driven Learning—giving students the chance to put their skills into practice with a real-world scenario from their chosen career.

Caldwell and Curkovic created a partnership for students in Supply Chain Management 3810 to assist Kenco, a top-ranked, third party logistics service provider, in solving issues relating to cargo packing materials that were costing the company money. 

Curkovic says, “My primary goal was to immerse students in a professional problem-solving environment where they could apply Lean Six Sigma principles and A3 thinking to a real business challenge. I wanted them to experience what it’s like to consult for a company, deliver actionable solutions and communicate their findings with clarity and professionalism.” 

The project ran the length of the semester and started with students learning about Kenco’s operations and challenges and then working through a 10-step process to create solutions to the problems identified.

Jake Kunzelman, B.B.A.’25, took the class his senior year and appreciated the tangible lessons gained through the process. 

“What I learned in the classroom was really put to the test in this project, especially when it came to problem-solving frameworks and understanding supply chain challenges. The A3 problem-solving method we discussed in class was particularly useful for breaking down the issue Kenco was facing,” says Kunzelman. “By applying this, I was able to take a step back, analyze the problem in detail and think critically about the root causes instead of jumping straight into solutions. This helped my team and me avoid common pitfalls like jumping to conclusions too quickly.”

Being able to apply their coursework directly to a specific scenario gave students a greater understanding of what a supply chain career would entail.

“By working directly with a company like Kenco, the students not only enhanced their technical and analytical skills but also built confidence in navigating ambiguity and delivering measurable results—key capabilities for any supply chain management career,” Curkovic says.

Not only did students gain skills to take into their careers, but Kenco benefited from the students’ fresh perspectives on the issue. 

“It was great partnering with WMU Haworth and seeing the talent within the supply chain management program,” says Caldwell. “The students showed strong engagement throughout the project and approached the problem statement from a unique viewpoint. They provided creative solutions and gained valuable problem-solving experience that they’ll be able to use in the business world.”

In addition to the valuable resume-building experience offered by projects like this, Curkovic also guides his students on how to apply what they’ve learned at WMU Haworth to their future careers. “Dr. Curkovic has always been a huge help to me—not just with class projects like this one, but also with real-world advice about starting a career in the supply chain industry,” says Kunzelman.

“One piece of advice he gave that really stuck with me from this class was something he said, ‘If you go into your first job and start thinking like an A3 problem-solver—really taking the time to observe, analyze, and understand the current situation before jumping into solutions—you’ll stand out right away.’ That really helped me understand the value of problem-solving, not just in class but also in interviews and on the job. It gave me a clearer idea of how I want to approach my career.”

Learn more about supply chain management at WMU Haworth.

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