Supply chain grad leverages WMU experiences into a career
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Jadazay Ledbetter means business. Taking initiative to make her own success, she’s managed inventory flow for retail stores, supported supplier coordination for a global technology leader, swapped strategies with CEOs at national conferences and fielded multiple job offers—all before graduating college.
The Western Michigan University supply chain management major will check that next box on Saturday, May 2, when she crosses the stage at Miller Auditorium to receive her bachelor’s degree.
“Since I was a kid, I’ve always wanted to do the next thing,” says Ledbetter, who will soon begin her career at Dayton Freight Lines Inc. “Now I feel confident stepping into my career and seeing what I can do next.”
Her drive was shaped early when she watched her mom earn her associate degree in nursing.
“I saw firsthand how education can completely change opportunities and quality of life for a family.”
A recipient of the Bronco Promise, which covers tuition and mandatory fees for qualifying students, she’s also entering her career debt-free.
“Having that financial flexibility allows me to focus on growth and opportunities right away,” she says.
Career-ready mindset
Ledbetter began her academic journey at Kellogg Community College, initially pursuing nursing before realizing business was a better fit. “When I transferred to Western, I was ready to take full advantage of every opportunity available to me."
She hit the ground running, exploring the majors within the Haworth College of Business and joining different registered student organizations such as the Sales and Business Marketing Association and Digital Marketing Student Association. But she really found her stride when she discovered supply chain management.
“I did my own research, and it felt like a field with strong opportunities, stability and growth,” she says.
Leaning into hands-on experiences that aligned with her career goals, Ledbetter joined the Supply Chain Management Association; participated in case competitions; and engaged with high-profile executives at national conferences such as NRF 2026, the National Retail Federation’s annual gathering in New York City, and the Health Industry Distributors Association’s MedSupplyChain Conference in Dallas, Texas.
“There were only a small number of students invited to Dallas, and I was able to connect directly with professionals already working in the industry,” she says. “That experience really helped me build confidence and expand my network.”
Through networking at another supply chain conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Ledbetter secured a purchasing and procurement internship with Mann+Hummel, a global motor and industrial filter manufacturer.
“My experience there made everything click,” she says. “I was applying what I learned in class in real time, which made both the work and the coursework more meaningful.”
Along the way, she leaned on faculty support when making important career decisions. “I had guidance from faculty like Dr. Sime Curkovic who helped me think through interviews, offers and next steps like pursuing an MBA.”
Holistic experience
A member of Lee Honors College, Ledbetter balanced academics with real-world experience while maintaining a strong academic record.
Through the Study in the States program, which offers honors students Experience-Driven Learning opportunities that involve traveling, Ledbetter participated in the Desert Southwest course. Alongside a small cohort of students, she explored the culture, archaeology and ecology of the Ancestral Pueblo peoples in the Four Corners region of the Southwest.
“We experienced the region’s incredible history and landscapes firsthand,” she says. “We hiked and went to hot springs and saw petroglyphs and even got to ride horses with a Navajo chief down in the canyon.”
Much more than a traditional spring break trip, it offered resume-bolstering experience that Ledbetter could talk about in job interviews.
“This experience gave me a deeper appreciation for sustainable supply chain practices, environmental responsibility, and the connection between commerce and culture.”
Ledbetter says her Western journey has positioned her to be comfortable in any environment.
“I feel confident walking into any room now, whether it’s a classroom, a conference or starting my career.”
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