WMU’s Integrated Supply Management program earns spot among top supply chain programs.

Earning its first ranking, WMU’s Integrated Supply Management program is named 12^th among undergraduate supply chain programs, tied with the University of Maryland and Stanford University. (See complete list, below.) The ranking, by Gartner (AMR), is an important step in the development of this program, which celebrates its 20^th anniversary in 2012. In the last Gartner ranking, WMU’s ISM program received an “honorable mention.”

Dr. Bret Wagner, director,
integrated supply management program

“It's encouraging to see that the Gartner rankings recognize the quality of the ISM program,” says Dr. Bret Wagner, director of the WMU program. “During its 20 year history, the ISM program has used the input from our executive council (the ISM program's industry advisory board) to drive changes in the program and curriculum so that it stays relevant. This continuous improvement philosophy will be the key for the ISM program to move up the rankings.”

Gartner’s ranking relied on evaluation of numerous factors, including Industry partnerships, additional training required of graduates, curriculum and integration of IT.

Chris Flum, BBA '86, is president of the
ISM Executive Council

"I have been part of the ISM Executive Council for over 10 years. The reason I and the other council members participate is we can see that our input is valued and results in changes in the program and the curriculum that produce graduates who are well prepared for careers in supply management,” says Chris Flum, BBA ’86, vice president, Global Indirect Supply & Procurement at Harman International.

“As an alum, it’s good to see that the hard work of the faculty and executive council members in producing a world-class supply management program is being recognized by organizations like Gartner."

In addition to industry input and continuous improvement, Wagner says that the program’s innovative curriculum and distinctive elements provide students with skills to begin supply management careers “Ready, Day One.”

· Joins coursework in business and engineering

· Incorporates extensive use of SAP ERP business software in courses

· Requires project courses where students apply process improvement tools to real company problems

In the last ranking by Gartner, WMU received an honorable mention for its extensive use of SAP ERP system in two classes, including a dedicated class.

Gartner (AMR), the definitive organization dealing with industry supply chains, announced the latest rankings in early June at its annual conference. 

Fast Facts about ISM

The List:

1. Penn State

3. Georgia Tech, Arizona State, Rutgers

5. Michigan State

6. University of Texas-Austin

7. Ohio State and University of Wisconsin-Madison

9. Texas A & M and University of Tennessee

12. WMU, Maryland, Stanford

14. Lehigh University, University of Marquette

16. Syracuse University

20. University of Indiana, University South Carolina, Auburn University, Texas Christian University, University of Kansas and University of Nevada-Reno

23. North Texas

25. Iowa State and Rider

Deshpande named associate dean

Download a high res image.

Dr. Satish P. Deshpande, professor of management, has been named associate dean for operations and graduate programs in the Haworth College of Business. The appointment is effective July 1, 2011.

Deshpande will assume responsibility and oversight of all graduate programs and several operational activities in the College including faculty and staff development, research support (technology, research assistants, grants, etc.), computing technologies, AACSB accreditation, space, and global programs. In addition, he will provide oversight for the centers within the College (Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Center for Sustainable Business Practices, the Global Business Center and the Center for Health Information Technology Advancement).

Deshpande teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in human resources management. His research includes managerial decision making, healthcare management, and applied psychology in human resource issues. He has had over 80 refereed articles published in various journals and books including the Academy of Management Journal, Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Journal of Business Ethics, Journal of Labor Research, Human Relations, Journal of Small Business Management, Compensation and Benefits Review, Health Care Management Review, and Journal of Psychology. He has been quoted on television, radio, and in various newspapers including the Wall Street Journal and USA Today. He has received the Haworth College of Business Dean’s Teaching Award, and most recently, he received the newly established College Research Award. He serves as the faculty advisor of the Society for Excellence in Human Resources, a student chapter of SHRM.

Deshpande received a PhD from The University of Iowa, a post graduate degree in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations from Xavier Labor Relations Institute in Jamshedpur, India, and has a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics from The University of Bombay, in India. Prior to his academic work at the University of Iowa, Deshpande was a personnel officer for Sandoz Limited in Bombay, India, where he had responsibilities for recruitment, training and development, labor law and industrial relations at a factory that employed over 800 employees.

Finance professor awarded Fulbright to study Islamic banking and financial markets

Dr Inayat U. Mangla, professor of finance, has been awarded a prestigious U.S. Fulbright Research Award by the U.S. Department of State for his work on Islamic banking and finance. For his research, he will travel to Malaysia, Singapore and Pakistan to study their Islamic banking and financial market practices.

"Malaysia and Pakistan in particular are the so-called 'hubs' of Islamic banking and finance," says Mangla.

“To receive this award is an honor, not only to the individual, but also to the institution which he serves,” says Dr. Ajay Samant, interim dean of the college. “What makes Dr. Mangla’s achievement particularly unique is that this is the third time he has been awarded the Fulbright Research Award."

Mangla's prior awards were in 1973 and 2002.

Mangla earned his Ph.D from Michigan State University and worked as assistant professor at the University of New Brunswick and York University in Canada before coming to WMU in 1985. Mangla has published numerous articles in various journals including Journal of Asia-Pacific Business, Financial Analysts Journal, Journal of Financial Strategic Decisions, Journal of Applied Economics and Pakistan Development Review. His principal teaching areas are financial markets, management of financial institutions, capital markets and financial management.

Fulbright grants are made to U.S. citizens and nationals of other countries for a variety of educational activities, primarily university lecturing, advanced research, graduate study and teaching in elementary and secondary schools.