Message from the Global Supply Chain Management Chair

As we embark on the 2024-25 academic year, I am delighted to reflect on our achievements and share exciting developments ahead. It has been 18 months since I had the honor of becoming the chair of our wonderful GSCM department, and much has transformed during this time. Notably, we welcomed four new faculty members who brought fresh energy, ideas, and expertise. Another significant change is the transition of our Executive M.S. in Automotive Supply Chain Management program to a fully online format, which has restored our enrollment to pre-pandemic levels. Similarly, the Ilitch School launched a fully online M.B.A. program. To ensure the highest quality education, over half of our supply chain faculty attended Quality Matters workshops and significantly enhanced their courses last year.  

We take pride in the fact that we awarded the second-largest number of bachelor's degrees in 2023 among the six business majors. The vast majority of our students had done at least one internship and secured a full-time job before graduation. 

The dedication of our faculty and students, supported by our advisory board and alumni, has not gone unnoticed. Our graduate programs achieved their highest ranking yet at 20th on the Gartner list, while our undergraduate program maintained its 21st position. This recognition is the result of the many opportunities we provide to our students, including internships, projects, case studies, guest presentations, case competitions, study-abroad programs, conferences, workshops, career fairs, and scholarships. We strongly encourage our students to take full advantage of these opportunities. 

To our alumni, advisory board members, and industry partners, we extend our deepest gratitude for your continued support and ask for your ongoing involvement. Here are some ways you can contribute: 

• Donate to our department to create more student opportunities. 
• Volunteer as a guest lecturer, or case competition judge, or participate in mock interviews and resume review sessions. 
• Represent your company at our career fair and offer internships and jobs to our students. 
• Promote our master's and executive education programs within your organizations. 
• Assist our faculty with their research. 
• Become a member of our advisory board. 
• Amplify department posts on social media (e.g. LinkedIn, Instagram, X) by reposting and liking. 

Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to our department's success. 

Hakan Yildiz, Ph.D.
Chair and Associate Professor
Department of Global Supply Chain Management