Global supply chain management major Sara Mahmood receives prestigious national scholarship

Sara MahmoodSara Mahmood, a senior global supply chain management student, is one of 10 students nationally to receive the prestigious R. Gene Richter Scholarship. It is the largest nationally recognized scholarship program in the supply chain management field and is awarded by the Richter Foundation and the Institute for Supply Management (ISM).

Mahmood boasts an outstanding academic record and leadership abilities that qualified her for this national honor. She currently serves as president of the business school’s Global Supply Chain Management Student Association after holding prior leadership roles as vice president and director of marketing. She is also a student member of the Institute for Supply Management and the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, as well as a Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society member.

Off campus, Mahmood completed an internship at Ford Motor Company World Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. In addition to her duties as a purchasing information management and systems intern, she also participated in the Ford Volunteer Corps as a United Way campaign leader. She returns to Ford Motor Company this summer for a second internship in global purchasing.

“Having selected supply management as my major, I aspire to enhance my daily procurement skills to incorporate technology and function within a purchasing unit for a corporation,” Mahmood said.

“With a strong academic and professional foundation, I aspire to monitor the periodic spending of an organization, analyze the supply market and develop a corporate strategy for sourcing to minimize the cost and risk of expenditures.”

The Richter Scholarship Program began in 2004, and 46 students have received the award since its inception. Seven leading universities, including WSU, were represented on this year’s winner list. Winners received special recognition at an awards presentation during the ISM Annual International Supply Management Conference held May 15 – 18 in Orlando, Fla.

The program’s purpose is to identify future supply chain management leaders and fast-track those students into the profession. Winners receive tuition assistance up to $5,000. They are paired with an established executive for mentoring, as well as a former Richter scholar for junior mentoring. They also enjoy networking opportunities through a subsidized trip to the ISM Annual International Supply Management Conference. A year after graduation, they are invited to attend the ISM Power Conference and serve as a junior mentor to a Richter Scholarship recipient for that year.

"Being a Richter Scholar has enhanced my ISM Conference experience and enabled me to interphase with global supply management leaders from across the industry,” she said.

“Apart from expanding my professional network, I have enjoyed attending a myriad of fascinating workshops about industry trends, career management and development, all of which were presented by a very engaging group of experts. It is truly an honor to represent Wayne State University as a 2011 Richter Scholar, and join such a great group of bright, talented and ambitious young leaders within the Richter family of Scholars.”

The R. Gene Richter Scholarship Program was established and named in memory of R. Gene Richter, who was a galvanizing force in the procurement field. Richter is admired for elevating the profession to world-class stature. He led the supply organizations at The Black & Decker Corporation, Hewlett-Packard and International Business Machines (IBM). For information on the R. Gene Richter Scholarship Program, visit www.richterfoundation.org.
 

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