WMU student wins scholarship for excellence in supply chain

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—For the third year in a row, a Western Michigan University student has been selected as a recipient of the Achieving Women’s Excellence in Supply Chain Operations, Management and Education (AWESOME) Excellence in Education Scholarship. Chelsea Prebil, a senior from Caledonia, Michigan, received the award as recognition for her achievements as a supply chain management major at the Haworth College of Business.

Created in 2013, the scholarship provides women enrolled in full-time supply chain degree programs a scholarship as well as the opportunity to attend the AWESOME Symposium and the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals EDGE Conference. The program awards 20 recipients each year and Prebil joins four previous Western students as a member of this impressive group of young professionals.

“I am thrilled that Chelsea won the AWESOME Excellence in Education scholarship,” says Dr. Sime Curkovic, professor of marketing. “AWESOME is dedicated to advancing and transforming the future of supply chain leadership by supporting and empowering women in the field. Chelsea’s achievement in the program and her leadership on campus align perfectly with AWESOME’s mission of fostering leadership, providing mentorship and offering educational opportunities to women in the field.”

“I am extremely grateful and excited to be chosen for this scholarship,” says Prebil. “It is a great feeling to have my hard work be recognized at the national level.”

And Prebil has worked hard both inside and outside of the classroom, participating in the General Motors/Wayne State University Supply Chain Case Competition and the Minnesota National Supply Chain Management Case Competition. She has also interned with multiple companies including the Kellogg Company, Parker Hannifin, Trane Technologies and Procter & Gamble.

As if that wasn’t enough to keep her busy, Prebil is involved in several registered student organizations on campus. She founded the WMU DECA group in 2022 and served as the first president, still maintaining a role on the executive board. She is also a member of the Supply Chain Management Association (SCMA) where she will be serving as president in the upcoming academic year.

“My most impactful experience at WMU has been joining SCMA. Not only did I find my network of friends, I also found a passion for leadership while serving on the executive board,” Prebil says. “SCMA has been a key way for me to engage in the supply chain industry and also find community at WMU Haworth.”

As Prebil completes her degree, this award will play a big role in her future. “Receiving this scholarship will benefit me immensely. It allows me to focus my attention on my studies, as well as grow my network by connecting with the other AWESOME scholars.”

Learn more about the supply chain management program at WMU Haworth.

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