Supply Chain and Analytics Advisory Council

The Ed G. Smith College of Business looks to the Supply Chain & Analytics Department Advisory Council to:

• Provide guidance and thought leadership on matters related to educational quality, curriculum, business needs, academia-industry collaboration, student engagement and research
• Provide counsel on the Supply Chain & Analytics department strategic plan
• Partner with the faculty to ensure that graduates are prepared to succeed in their jobs and careers
• Provide guidance and advice on the skills businesses require from our students
• Serve on a subcommittee
• Give advice to students regarding career selection and career development activities
• Mentor high performing students
• Facilitate logistics, operations and supply chain internships for students
• Support scholarship opportunities for supply chain students
• Support the Supply Chain Club (student organization) and Supply Chain Alumni Board and their initiatives
• Support department conferences and seminars through participation and sponsorship
• Facilitate guest speakers from your company for classes and facility tours
• Promote industry and academic collaboration in applied research
• Be an ambassador for UMSL and the Department to professionals, companies and the community

Council Member Companies receive value in a variety of ways:

• Engagement with UMSL’s best supply chain, operations and analytics students
• Help the region grow as a supply chain and analytics center of excellence
• Access to leading edge supply chain, operations and analytics knowledge and methods via interaction with faculty, involvement with applied research projects and summaries of academic research
• The ability to shape what your current and future employees learn at UMSL
• The College has 27,000 alumni, 80% of whom live in the St. Louis region
• Networking with industry peers

The Council is composed of accomplished executives, professionals and industry leaders with backgrounds in the field of supply chain, logistics, analytics, and operations management. Companies represented on the board include corporations, non-profits, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and family-owned businesses. Industries include: agribusiness, distribution, retail, consumer products, government advocacy, utilities, transportation, manufacturing, technology, and natural resources.

Advisory Council members contribute their time, expertise, and industry perspective in a variety of ways. Members work alongside faculty to strengthen our academic programs, create meaningful opportunities for students, connect the Department with industry and alumni, and help us respond to the changing needs of the supply chain profession.

Council members contribute through four primary areas:

Student, Alumni & Industry Engagement: Members connect directly with students through mentoring, networking, classroom engagement, company visits, student organizations, case competitions, and other experiential learning opportunities. They also help strengthen connections with alumni and employers and support initiatives that prepare students for successful careers.

Curriculum & Talent Development: Members provide an industry perspective on the knowledge, skills, technologies, and capabilities needed by today's and tomorrow's supply chain professionals. Their input helps faculty keep our programs relevant and responsive to changes in the profession, including developments in analytics, artificial intelligence, technology, and workforce needs.

Research & Industry Collaboration: Members help connect faculty research with important challenges facing industry by sharing their expertise, identifying emerging issues, facilitating industry connections, and participating in applied research and knowledge-sharing opportunities.

Marketing, Outreach & Community Engagement: Members serve as ambassadors for UMSL Supply Chain & Analytics, helping expand our connections within the business community, engage prospective students and alumni, promote Department programs and accomplishments, and increase our impact throughout the St. Louis region and beyond.

Members can contribute in ways that best align with their interests, expertise, and availability. Whether engaging directly with students, providing insight on emerging industry needs, supporting research, or helping build connections across the supply chain community, Advisory Council members play an important role in advancing the Department and preparing the next generation of supply chain leaders.

Our council brings together leaders from supply chain, logistics, analytics, operations, and related fields who are committed to supporting the next generation of supply chain professionals. Members include both UMSL alumni and professionals from across the region and beyond.

We welcome industry leaders who are interested in sharing their expertise, strengthening connections between industry and the university, and helping shape our educational programs, student experiences, and industry-engaged research.

If you are interested in learning more about the Advisory Council and opportunities to get involved, please contact Dr. Jill Bernard Bracy at bernardji@umsl.edu or (314) 516-6136.