Supplying the industry with top talent
The WMU supply chain management program ranked No. 14 on national researcher Gartner’s Top 25 U.S. Supply Chain Undergraduate Programs in 2022. This distinction places it within the top tier of programs nationwide—an honor that WMU has enjoyed since 2009 and which celebrates the exceptional caliber of the program.
The program’s standing on the list places Western Michigan University among other elite programs such as University of Arkansas, University of Tennessee, Northeastern University, Pennsylvania State University and more. The ranking is released biennially and considers program size, scope and industry value as a highly-recruited school. At No. 14, WMU Haworth is the top school in Michigan on the list.
“Our program’s ranking as the top supply chain program in Michigan and one of the top programs in the nation is a testament to our mission to provide an immersive, experiential and real-world-focused learning environment,” says Dr. Marcel Zondag, director of the program and associate professor of marketing. “We are confident that program innovations will keep our curriculum relevant in the post-COVID-19 economy so we can continue delivering a world-class supply chain management education.”
That world-class education is benefiting students like senior Alexandra Henson. “The supply chain management program has given me both skills specific to the industry and experience in leadership, teamwork and communication, all of which aid in the client-facing aspect of supply chain roles,” she says. “In my internship at The J.M. Smucker Company, I was well-prepared to make a direct impact. I have since accepted a full-time offer with Accenture, which I am very excited about. Joining the supply chain program has been one of the best decisions of my life.” Hear more from Alexandra.
And Henson is not the only student happy about her choice to study supply chain management at WMU’s Haworth College of Business. The latest graduate survey data shows that 95% of supply chain graduates are employed in their field or continuing their education soon after graduation, have high job satisfaction at 98%, and top the list in median starting pay at $65,001 to $75,000.*
Zondag’s goal is to transform the supply chain program, so it’s more relevant and expansive.
A new name for the program—supply chain management—goes into effect in fall 2023, and that’s not the only thing changing. The supply chain management major has been redesigned using employer feedback to include more industries and a broader emphasis on the role supply chains now play in the larger economy. Additionally, a new minor and a graduate certificate program begin in fall. A master’s degree in supply chain management is planned for fall 2024. All the graduate supply chain courses are going to be offered in course modalities for in-person or remote attendance, making them accessible for working professionals.
Another exciting development is a higher degree of collaboration between the supply chain management and food marketing programs. “As we all experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic and even still today, supply chains play a significant role in our lives, even if many around the world were not highly aware of them before,” says Zondag. “Specifically in the food industry, the pandemic made clear that change is needed. The opportunity to collaborate closely with our food marketing program is fantastic. As our supply chain management advisory board has expanded with manufacturers and retailers in the food business, we have started joint research projects and a number of other initiatives.”
Here are just some of the ways that collaboration and innovation will exist between the programs:
Research that involves supply chain management and the food industry under the auspices of the Food Industry Research and Education Center at WMU Haworth.
Collaborative industry certificate programs.
Career nights featuring both programs for an optimal experience for students and recruiters.
Joint advisory council meetings and other events.
Collaboration between student organizations in hosting speakers on topics relevant to both programs.