The competition was tough. The research, investigating and writing were grueling. But for Dr. Ned Young, a Sinclair Community College professor of management, it was all worth it.
Sinclair and Riverside Community College, in Californina, were jointly awarded a National Science grant for $3.5 million. One of the only NSF grants in the nation.
The four-year reward will will be used to establish a National Center of Excellence for Supply Chain Technology.
“It was really completive. We had to show NSF that what we are proposing is on a national level. We had to convince the National Science Foundation that we were in it to help students not only at Sinclair but nationwide, as well,” Young said.
The grant will be used to establish a National Center for Supply Chain Technology Education at Southern California College. In addition, Young said the main goal is to develop education and training for students and faculty in various Community Colleges that are interested in supply chain management.
The center proposes to train students to become highly qualified supply chain technicians for the private or public sector and to increase employment in an ever-growing field, according to Young.
“Supply Chain management is a huge sector of the economy,” Young said. “Employers have come to Sinclair and said we need people that understand the whole supply chain industry and can work at different levels within the industry.”
The grant will focus on STEM, which includes science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as part of the supply chain education aspect.
“The focus of our Center is to supply the workforce with technicians that can work in these various areas of the supply chain industry,” he said. “One focus of the center is to introduce the supply chain industry to the high school student, starting in the junior year.”
As part of technological preparation, students can begin their supply chain training in high school. Miami Valley Tech Prep program manager, Robert Sheehan will lead this part of the grant to develop ways to help high school students begin their career in supply chain management, according to Young.
“What our Center will accomplish will be to facilitate a seamless transition from high school to college and from college into the workforce,” Young said. “Supply chain is all about manufacturing, port operations, transportation, distribution and information technological sectors, but we have to have technicians that are familiar with the industry.”
While the award entailed a lot of hard work, Young wants to thank Sheehan, Neil Herbkersman, Senior Director of Advancement, Dennis Brode Department chair of management, April Carpenter, professor of supply chain management and David Myer, professor of operations technology. Young said that without their help, and the help of many others, the grant would have never been funded.
“In four years I envision a system that is easily transported to other community colleges, nation -wide. Sinclair has been provided the funding to implement new degree programs that will aid the industry,” Young said. “Thanks to all those who helped with securing this grant that will help Sinclair students and students in colleges throughout the country.”