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The degree programs — Industrial Distribution and Supply Chain Management — are the result of a unique collaboration between the university’s Crossland College of Technology (CCOT) and Kelce College of Business (KCOB).
Faculty and deans from both colleges worked together on a task force to design a shared curriculum that balances theory with real-world application and hands-on learning.
“These programs give students the chance to choose a path that best suits their strengths, whether they lean toward the business side of supply chain or the technical side of industrial distribution,” said Lisa Riedle, dean of the Crossland College of Technology.
The announcement was made at the distribution warehouse of Pitsco Education, a global technology education company founded and based in Pittsburg. The company ships products worldwide, including to Costa Rica, Ukraine, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates, while sourcing supplies from countries such as Mexico, England, and China.
“Historically, most people have had to learn these skills from the bottom up, which takes awhile,” said Craig Yantis, chief operating officer at Pitsco. “Having graduates who come in who understand what logistics looks like, what continuous improvement looks like, how sourcing works — that will be a big benefit. It’s a global world now.”
“To have a group of students graduating ready to analyze data, improve operations, and lead in supply chain and distribution is a tremendous asset to this region,” he added.
Supply Chain Management (KCOB): A degree focused on sourcing, procurement, logistics, data and analytics, contracts, and operations management.
In both programs, students will integrate classroom learning with practical, activity-based coursework. They will learn to identify new distribution opportunities, maintain safety, and optimize logistics networks.
Every student will complete a professional internship with industry leaders based in the region.
“As we saw during the pandemic, the supply chain is integral to business and our economy,” said Lynn Murray, associate dean of the Kelce College of Business. “These degrees will help ensure that future leaders in this field are well prepared.”
The demand for graduates in these fields is strong. Recruiting firms currently report 350 to 400 open entry-level positions for supply chain professionals in Kansas alone.
Starting salaries are competitive, with a median salary of $77,000, and long-term career prospects are even stronger—senior managers earn a median of $110,000 on the industrial distribution side and $165,000 on the supply chain side.
Graduates can pursue careers as operations managers, logistics managers, procurement analysts, supply chain coordinators, and more, noted Alex Binder, faculty chair for the KCOB.
Opportunities are especially strong in Kansas City, Wichita, Northwest Arkansas, and Tulsa.
“These degrees will be a benefit to our community, our region, and our graduates,” said Byron McKay, associate professor in the CCOT.
