USF Monica Wooden Center for Supply Chain Management & Sustainability November 2021 |
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FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S DESK |
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It’s official!
The grand opening and ribbon-cutting for The Monica Wooden Center for Supply Chain Management & Sustainability was held on October 26 with over 100 wonderful business partners, students, alumni, and of course Monica Wooden!
Monica, the former CEO and Founder of Mercury Gate Transportation Management Systems, rallied the audience as she shared her amazing personal journey filled with experiences that LIFTED her to become a 1st generation college-bound scholar-athlete. Inspired by her family, educational mentors, and devoted business colleagues she, in turn, is committed to LIFTING supply chain students who are now launching their own educational and career journey.
Monica graciously provided the resources to establish the brand-new center housed inside USF’s Muma College of Business. Faculty members Jim Stock, Rob Hooker, and Seckin Ozkul rallied the audience with success stories of our supply chain students and the supply chain innovation lab, respectively.
Founding center members Bristol Meyers Squibb, Mercury Gate, and Transportation Insight were all cheering alongside our gracious industry /university partners Datex Warehouse Management Systems and Amgen Biotechnology. Supply Chain Innovation Lab founding member Jabil was recognized for their devotion to supply chain research, design, and ingenuity, AND a generous gift to launch the lab in 2021.
Alumni superstars, Kaylee Botts and Ashlee Heirman inspired all of us as they shared their own post-graduation career journeys. Since graduation in 2016 and 2018, Kaylee and Ashlee have been promoted multiple times and are senior leaders with Amazon (Kaylee) and Johnson & Johnson (Ashlee).
Sincerest thanks to you, MONICA WOODEN!
Elaine Singleton
Executive Director
Monica Wooden Center for Supply Chain Management and Sustainability
Muma College of Business
University of South Florida
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(Top left) USF Muma College of Business Lynn Pippenger Dean Moez Limayem, Interim USF President Rhea Law, and Monica Wooden cut the ribbon.
(Top right) Monica Wooden speaks at the grand opening.
(Left) Kaylee Botts, a senior operations manager at Amazon, and Ashlee Heirman, a global services lead buyer at Johnson & Johnson, speak at the alumni panel.
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Table of Contents
1. From the Executive Director's Desk
2. Important Dates
3. Intern Spotlight
4. Student Spotlight
5. Alumni Spotlight
6. Faculty Spotlight
7. Bulls on the Move
8. Virtual Coffee Meeting
9. CSCMP – What is Supply Chain Management?
10. Inside USF: The Podcast
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USF CSCMP Guest Speaker: Concordia Supply Chain Group — 5 p.m., Nov. 4, BSN 221.
Florida Supply Chain Summit Webinar Series: Space Florida – 2:30 p.m., Nov. 8. MS Teams Link sent separately.
Florida Supply Chain Summit Webinar Series: Kuehne + Nagel – 2 p.m., Nov. 15. MS Teams Link sent separately.
Supply Chain Virtual Coffee Meeting – 5 p.m., Nov. 16. MS Teams Meeting, contact twaldron@usf.edu
Florida Supply Chain Summit Webinar Series: Project44 – 2 p.m., Dec. 8. MS Teams Link sent separately.
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Name: Colin Wehrhahn
USF Degree: BS in Supply Chain Management
Graduation: December 2021
Current Internship Employer: BlueGrace Logistics
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Q: What are some of the challenges of doing an internship and how did you handle it?
Getting used to working in an office on a 40-hour week schedule, while also juggling classes was challenging for me when I first began. Previously, I had always worked in restaurants, where working late nights were common. I found that having a weekly plan where I could assign classwork on certain days made it much more manageable without becoming overwhelming.
Q: What do you want to achieve through your current internship?
The main objective I want to achieve through this internship is experience. Learning the ins and outs of the industry, how to assess a company’s culture, and building your resume with the necessary experience will be what can help me prepare for the future.
Q: How did you prepare yourself to have an internship with this company and any previous internship experience?
The first internship I had was this past summer with Pepin Distributing Company, a beverage distributor in Tampa. I prepared for that by doing plenty of research on the history of the company, what products they carry, and their ties to the community. I would also brush up on any materials I had that might help me on the job. To prepare for my internship at BlueGrace, I did something similar but tailored it to the logistics field.
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Name: Rachel Gillette
USF Degree: BS in Supply Chain Management
Graduation Year: 2022
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Q: What brought you to the University of South Florida?
I left my home state of Maryland to attend USF because of the university’s quickly rising ranking among national universities and its beautiful Tampa campus. The opportunity to join the Bulls Business Community as a freshman was a major factor in my decision because I was able to have many professional development and networking experiences thanks to the program.
Q: Why did you choose to study supply chain management at the Monica Wooden Center?
I chose to study supply chain management because it is a strong fit for my interests. I enjoy working with both people and data to solve problems and find optimal solutions. I was also attracted to the field because of the growing variety and availability of career opportunities throughout supply chain management.
Q: What did you achieve through the supply chain management program?
Through my experience in this program so far, I have been exposed to multiple aspects of the field and the variety of career opportunities available. I have built beneficial relationships with many faculty members and fellow students who provide academic and professional support. I have also been given the opportunity to hear from many leaders in the field thanks to the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals Student Roundtable at USF.
Q: What is your future career goal after graduation?
After graduation, I hope to work for a large regional or national company with locations along the East Coast. I currently have an interest in consumer products companies, but I am keeping a broad scope as I explore different types of companies and positions relating to supply chain management.
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Name: Megan Rapozo
Degree & Graduation Year: Master's in Supply Chain Management - 2021
Employer: EduGnie®
Job Title: Chief Development Officer
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Q: How has USF helped you in your career development or your role with EduGnie®?
I am extremely thankful to USF for providing extensive resources for personal development and career readiness for its students. I always had questions and the USF staff always directed me to the right place to find answers. I spent countless hours at the library, tutoring services, guidance counselors, and my professor's office hours. For your personal success, you must be relentless in your pursuit and leverage the resources provided to you.
Q: What were some key transition hurdles and how did you overcome these challenges in your career?
The biggest hurdle is the “What is Next?” mindset after each step of my career. Trying to make the right moves aligned with the one, five, 10-year goals in mind, but focusing on the present. I chose to act on my long-term goal, creating EduGnie® right after my graduation. As a Hispanic woman, my perseverance and my inquisitive mindset have opened doors through mentorship and strong community involvement because it allows me to learn from the best and shorten the learning curve.
Q: What are key contributions or successes in your career?
I’ve always believed that my leadership, problem-solving skills, and ability to see the big picture are among my strongest competitive advantages. I am the youngest president of the Hispanic Professional Women's Association helping Hispanic college women succeed through mentorship programs. Because of my community engagement and diverse background, I’ve been able to build a bridge between the numerous community resources in the area and the private sector.
Q: What advice do you have for current USF supply chain students?
Build a strong support system through professors, peers, and industry professionals. You cannot do this by yourself. Get involved in the community and explore as much as you can to find your purpose. Be intentional about helping people and making a difference. The supply chain management program will equip you with powerful knowledge that you will be able to leverage across multiple industries giving you a competitive advantage to excel in any position you strive to pursue.
Want to know more about USF Alumni built company EduGnie®: It was built with the premise of helping brands and companies create and deliver customized digital training and education curriculum for their team, stakeholders, and their next generation of customers. Megan is passionate about social justice and bringing her experience to build a company that uses business as a force for social good is rewarding and exciting to her.
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Name: Kerry Walsh
Years Teaching at USF: 11
Courses: Global Commerce, Global Sourcing, Supply Chain, Logistics and Physical Distribution
Education Overview: Undergraduate degree in Accounting from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Master of Science in Marketing, University of South Florida
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Q: What brought you to USF?
After many years in Asia, I returned to the U.S. and moved to the Tampa Bay area. I decided to pursue a master's degree which brought me to USF.
Q: Tell us about your career in supply chain management?
I enjoyed a tremendous career over 30 years in supply chain management. It wasn't called that however when I began. The majority of my career was in private label sourcing in the office products and craft industries. This took me to many countries, meeting hundreds of people and negotiating with lots of cultures.
Q: What would you like for students to learn from your classes?
I am hopeful that the students will be able to learn and practice both patience and tolerance when dealing with various cultures around the world. I hope my students are able to offer many solutions to a problem instead of just one. I also hope my students are confident with their abilities once they enter the workforce.
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Name: Macy Baker
Degree & Graduation Year: Bachelor's of Science in Supply Chain Management – Fall 2020
Employer Name: Refresco Beverages
Joined: January 2021
New Promoted Position: Materials Analyst
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New role responsibilities:
· Monthly forecasting for multiple aluminum can/end suppliers
· Dual/Multi-sourcing planning and strategies
· Mitigating risk to production through analytics
· Deep dives into aged/aging inventory
· Review Planner orders mid-month to meet forecasting/needs
· BOM (bill of material) Management
· Supplier running inventory reporting
· Process documentation/flow-charts as procedures are created/adjusted
My new role as a materials analyst with Refresco Beverages was a huge leap from where I started in January as a materials planner. I believe that being proactive, enthusiastic, and accountable were all qualities that led to advancing within my company. Encompassing the mind of a recent USF graduate, I believe I offered a fresh perspective and outlook on supply chain management efforts that could support my new team and our goals. With this, I vowed to continue educating myself in all areas of business and supply chain as my career matures.
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SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, Nov. 16, 5 to 6 p.m.
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Learn why you should partner with USF Monica Wooden Center for Supply Chain Management & Sustainability for a BS or MS degree in Supply Chain Management!
- Chat with our supply chain professors or just listen to the Q&A session regarding the program, industry, and careers.
- Virtual Coffee Meeting, via Microsoft Teams, 5 - 6 p.m., Nov. 16.
- Open to students from all USF campuses who are interested in earning a degree in supply chain management.
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The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals at the University of South Florida (CSCMP) |
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Sessions every Thursday from 5 to 6:15pm in BSN 221
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Elaine Singleton, executive director of the Monica Wooden Center for Supply Chain Management & Sustainability, analyzes ongoing disruptions to the world’s supply chain and potential short and long-term impacts on product availability and prices. |
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Why was there no toilet paper in the stores? Was there really a shortage?
Why should I care that container ships are stuck in the ocean?
What happened to the automobile inventory?
Supply chain issues are impacting everyone, and it is apparent through the soaring prices and lack of stock in warehouses. Will you get your Christmas gifts on time? Who is to say with the continued disruptions and the ongoing pandemic constantly changing the environment. Elaine mentioned, “These container ships are all sitting out there bobbing in the ocean and they're waiting for labor to unload them.” You might want to think twice because that could be your delivery out there!
So ...... How long are these delays meant to last exactly?
“There's so much repositioning of container ships that has to happen, those things don't happen overnight,” Elaine stated. Elaine continues to discuss her predictions on when the supply chain situation will improve and what consumer trends are circulating to help companies thrive in a post-pandemic world.
Want to hear more?
To listen to the full podcast click HERE
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Philanthropic Donations Fuel Supply Chain Education |
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Our program provides student scholarships – more than $5,000 this year alone (covering tuition and textbooks) went to our diverse student population. We hope to increase this to $50,000 over the next three to five years. We provide innovative learning, teaching, and technology tools for the interactive classroom, preparing students for immediate immersion into jobs upon graduation.
Our students graduate with demonstratable skills in ERP (SAP), WMS (Datex), TMS (Mercury Gate), Supply Chain/Business Analytics (Tableau), and Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt/MS Supply Chain program) to name a few.
This does not happen in a vacuum. We must have the support of our faithful business and industry partners to ensure success for our students. This past year, our program supported five students with scholarships through the generosity of our business partners and the amazing gift from Monica Wooden.
The cost of high-tech innovative education is exorbitant, and this may stand in the way of some financially challenged students who find it difficult to meet tuition expectations. Our students are diverse, and this is important to our business partners, many of whom offer internships or work experiential opportunities for students throughout the year. This contributes to the 92 percent who graduate within four years, with an average GPA of 3.4.
Philanthropic donations shoulder the burden of the good work we do here. All the money received from donations goes directly to student scholarships, student/faculty research, industry-partner engagement, and innovative education. Please help us help our students.
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4202 E. Fowler Ave., BSN 3403,
Tampa, FL 33620
813-974-4281
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