Transition at the SCRC

Today’s guest post is from Dana Magliola, the new director of the Supply Chain Resource Cooperative here at NC State who shares some thoughts on transition at the SCRC.

The supply chain is an ecosystem where constant change is the norm and time is currency. Transitions are ubiquitous, yet to thrive any organization must become an animal of innovation. The Supply Chain Resource Cooperative at NC State is no different. To keep our curriculum, research, and student engagement relevant, the SCRC has developed and refined its unique supply chain management curriculum. With constant care, the organization’s leadership has led the SCRC with distinction and a steady hand. In the final days of June this year, the SCRC celebrated the service of outgoing SCRC director, Clyde Crider, and welcomed in a new director. For everyone involved with the SCRC it is a bittersweet, but exciting transition.

The SCRC of today, and the practicum-based learning model, maximizes student exposure to real industry environments and pairs them with talented and engaged project sponsors from SCRC Partner companies. Together students, advisors, faculty and sponsors truly think and do together to develop innovative solutions to actual business challenges. This unique model attracts prospective students, researchers, and industry leaders to NC State to see the impressive things going on in Raleigh. From its founding in 2000, the SCRC has benefitted from not simply the vision and hard work of its leaders, but from the value it has delivered to industry, community, students, and the University.

Since joining the organization in 2010, Clyde Crider’s leadership carried the SCRC through headwinds of economic recession early in his tenure and built it into the stable and growing entity it is today. His commitment to the “Voice of the Customer” and dedication to his vision of the SCRC as a “Solutions Provider” are evident in the strong relationships and friendships developed under Clyde’s stewardship. Today, NC State also boasts a fellowship of student leaders and alumni fellows in the SCRC Supply Chain Scholars program which began during Clyde’s tenure and reflect his belief in the importance of growing young leaders. The SCRC organization could not have a more passionate advocate for the type of pragmatic education experience students have at NC State. Clyde also speaks the language of business; his awareness and experience in industry helped him bring a unique perspective to teaching, project management, and leadership. I often hear great things said about Clyde from executives and students alike. Challenging his second attempt at retirement, we aim to keep him engaged as an ambassador for the SCRC. His “lessons learned and tribal knowledge” alone is a part of the SCRC fabric.

In this theme of transitions, I am honored to assume the role of SCRC director. I believe strongly in the vision of the SCRC to be a solutions provider, as well, and its ability to make a significant impact on student’s career potential and outcomes. I will strive to amplify the impact and connectivity of the SCRC. Our industry is changing rapidly; student dynamics are shifting, and the SCRC will, as always, adapt. It is good to have ideas – and I look forward to sharing mine with the broader SCRC network – but right now I’m doing a lot of listening. In my ongoing conversations with faculty and leadership at the Poole College of Management, as well as across NC State University, I am finding much goodwill and interest in collaboration. I’m also enjoying the opportunity to get to know each of our Partner companies better, and I have been learning a lot from the conversations I’ve had (and continue to have) with our sponsors and project managers. Our students and alumni also have a viewpoint, and hearing from them has been inspiring, informative. It is exciting to learn about the positive impact of the SCRC from so many different audiences and stakeholders.

So true to our supply chain roots, we are embracing the transition at the SCRC, and are excited about the opportunities it presents. Yet, we also have functional deadlines to meet. For our Partner companies and organizations, our project submission window is now open, and we are receiving the projects that will engage our students this fall. Our effort to grow our partnership is ongoing, as well. Continuing into the summer and on to the fall semester, we have some great events and activities scheduled for our students and Partner companies, as well as broader supply chain industry and community audiences. Stay tuned for information in the coming weeks.

I look forward to updating you soon with good news and stories of our shared successes along the way.

– Dana Magliola, director, SCRC