On April 10, 2026, the MSU Supply Chain Advisory Board (SCMAB) met with faculty for a meaningful discussion about where the industry is heading. Board members addressed real challenges related to workforce readiness, emerging technologies, and what is needed to prepare students for careers after graduation.

What the SCMAB Is and Why It Exists

Modern supply chains are under constant pressure from global disruptions and geopolitical shifts to the rapid adoption of AI, blockchain, and digital analytics. The skills employers need from supply chain graduates are changing faster than any textbook can capture. The SCMAB exists to close that gap.

Established to support the MSU Supply Chain Management program through advocacy, industry engagement, and strategic input, the board brings working professionals directly into conversations about how the program is structured. It also helps guide where the program should go in the future. Members represent corporations across logistics, procurement, transportation, and digital supply chain, along with professional organizations such as ASCM and CIPS. The Marketing Department Head serves as faculty liaison, keeping the board’s work tightly connected to day-to-day program decisions. All members serve without compensation; their investment is in the students. Dr. Ismet Anitsal, Department Head of Marketing, shared on LinkedIn that the meeting was productive and insightful.

MSU Supply Chain Management Advisory Board members and faculty in discussion, April 10, 2026.

“The discussion brought valuable insights into current industry challenges, emerging technologies, and the evolving skillsets needed to prepare students for success in today’s dynamic supply chain environment.”

How the Board Is Organized

The SCMAB operates through four standing committees, each focused on a distinct area of impact:

Student Engagement

Mentorship, internship development, career workshops, and professional placement initiatives that create real pathways from the classroom to the profession.

Faculty & Program Development

Integrating current industry best practices, digital supply chain tools, AI, blockchain, and supply chain analytics directly into coursework.

Alumni Relations

Networking events and programming that connect alumni with current students and faculty, building a strong, supportive Supply Chain community that extends well beyond graduation.

Industry & Community Outreach

Growing the program’s visibility and engagement with local, regional, and national supply chain and business organizations. This helps strengthen the program’s reputation among students, employers, and industry stakeholders.

The board convenes each semester, with standing committees meeting throughout the year, making this an active, ongoing partnership between industry and academia. Members include both alumni and non-alumni, providing a balance of program insight and fresh, real-world industry experience.

Looking Ahead

The April meeting reflects an ongoing commitment to keeping MSU’s Supply Chain Management program tightly aligned with real-world expectations. As the SCMAB’s initiatives take shape, students can look forward to expanded mentorship opportunities, stronger industry connections, and a curriculum continuously shaped by the professionals who are hiring, leading, and innovating in supply chain today.

The Marketing Department remains committed to bridging academic excellence with real-world industry experience.